Credit Card Companies, Banks Key For Web Shopping

Although online commerce continues to increase sharply, at least one consultant believes much work remains to reach projected increases in years hence. "Consumers and small businesses are slowly warming up to the advantages of shopping online. The onus is on the credit card companies and banks to get the word out," says Jack Shaw, president of Electronic Commerce Strategies Inc., a Marietta, Ga.-based consulting firm. "A lot of it is education and marketing. [Credit card companies] have to make up their minds they want to do this. The ones that move quickly will gain market share and the ones that hold back will lose share," he predicts.