E-commerce, short for electronic commerce, refers to the buying and selling of goods and services over the internet. Its evolution is a reflection of technological advancements, changing consumer behaviors, and the global growth of the internet. The development of e-commerce can be traced through various phases, each marked by significant milestones that transformed it into the robust industry we know today.

The early beginnings of e-commerce can be traced back to the 1960s with the advent of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). EDI allowed businesses to exchange documents such as invoices and purchase orders electronically, streamlining traditional paper-based processes. However, this was a business-to-business (B2B) form of commerce and did not involve consumers directly. It laid the foundation for the digital exchange of information and transactions, albeit on a limited scale.

In the 1990s, the internet became more accessible to the public, and the potential for e-commerce expanded. The introduction of the World Wide Web in the early 1990s, along with the development of web browsers like Mosaic and Netscape, played a pivotal role in making the internet a more user-friendly and interactive platform. The launch of Amazon in 1994 and eBay in 1995 marked the first wave of online marketplaces. These platforms allowed individuals