Email and internet services for business
Email sends messages and files through mail servers; other internet services such as e-commerce, e-banking and e-government let firms trade and serve customers online.
How an email travels
Parts of an email
| Part | Use |
|---|---|
| To | The main recipient |
| Cc (carbon copy) | A copy to others; all recipients can see it |
| Bcc (blind carbon copy) | A hidden copy; other recipients cannot see these addresses |
| Subject | A short title for the message |
| Body | The message itself |
| Attachment | A file sent with the message (size limits apply) |
Email: advantages and drawbacks
Internet and web services used by business
| Service | What it does | Example |
|---|---|---|
| E-commerce | Buying and selling online | Online shops such as Daraz |
| E-banking | Transfers, bill payments and statements online | Bank apps and internet banking |
| E-government | Public services online | Online tax filing through the Inland Revenue Department's RAMIS system |
| VoIP and video meetings | Voice and video calls over the internet | Zoom, Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp calls |
| Social media | Marketing and customer contact | Business pages on Facebook and Instagram |
| Cloud services | Store files and use software online | Google Drive, Microsoft 365 |
| Search engines | Find information and customers find you | |
| E-learning | Courses and training online | University learning platforms |
Business email etiquette
- Write a clear subject line.
- Use a polite greeting and a proper sign-off.
- Keep paragraphs short and to the point.
- Check attachments before sending.
- Use Bcc for large external lists to protect privacy.
- Do not type in capital letters; it reads as shouting.
- Reply promptly.
Sri Lankans pay bills and transfer money through bank apps linked by the LankaPay network, buy online from sites such as Daraz, and file taxes through the Inland Revenue Department's RAMIS online system.
Short answer: “What is the use of Bcc in an email?” It sends a hidden copy: the other recipients cannot see the Bcc addresses, which protects privacy.
Structured question: “Explain how an email is sent and received.” The email app sends to the sender's mail server by SMTP; it travels over the internet to the receiver's server; the receiver reads it using IMAP or POP3.
Essay: “Discuss the internet and web services that a business can use.” Explain email, e-commerce, e-banking, e-government, VoIP and video meetings, social media, cloud services and search, with examples and risks.
SMTP Sends Mail To People; POP and IMAP Pick it up. IMAP keeps mail on the server for all your devices; POP downloads it to one.