In basic computer and internet terminology, buying and selling goods or services over the internet is called what?

Introduction / Context:
Modern business activities increasingly use the internet to connect buyers and sellers. Various terms are used for online activities, such as digital marketing, net banking and e-commerce. This question checks whether the learner can correctly identify the broad term that describes the process of buying and selling goods or services over the internet, which is fundamental knowledge for computer awareness and business aptitude sections.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The question clearly mentions buying and selling goods over the internet.
- The options list digital marketing, e-commerce, net banking and online shopping.
- We assume the learner understands the general meaning of each of these phrases from daily life and simple definitions.

Concept / Approach:
E-commerce, short for electronic commerce, refers to commercial transactions that take place through electronic networks, mainly the internet. It includes activities such as online retail shops, electronic marketplaces, business to business platforms and digital services. Digital marketing is about promoting products using digital channels, net banking refers to online banking services offered by banks, and online shopping is one consumer facing part of e-commerce rather than the full concept.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the core phrase in the question: buying and selling goods over the internet. Step 2: Recall that the textbook definition of e-commerce is electronic commerce, meaning commercial transactions conducted electronically, typically on the internet. Step 3: Compare this with digital marketing, which is mainly about advertising and promotion, not the actual sale transactions themselves. Step 4: Net banking is limited to banking transactions such as fund transfers and account management, not the entire range of buying and selling of goods. Step 5: Online shopping is a common phrase, but in exam terminology it is usually treated as a part of the broader field of e-commerce rather than the precise technical term. Step 6: Therefore, choose e-commerce as the most appropriate and widely accepted term.

Verification / Alternative check:
Business and computer awareness books define e-commerce as buying and selling of goods and services using electronic systems such as the internet. They then give examples like online retail portals and electronic marketplaces. In contrast, net banking chapters focus on banking services, while digital marketing chapters explain methods like search engine optimisation, email marketing and social media campaigns. This comparison confirms that e-commerce best matches the description in the question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Digital marketing: This is about promoting products and creating awareness through digital channels; it does not necessarily include the entire transaction process of buying and selling.
Net banking: This strictly refers to online banking services where customers manage accounts and transfer funds; it is not a general term for trading goods over the internet.
Online shopping: This describes a consumer activity and is often used informally, but in exam oriented definitions, the more precise and comprehensive term is e-commerce.

Common Pitfalls:
Many candidates pick online shopping because it sounds closest to everyday language. However, examinations favour the formal term e-commerce, which covers all types of electronic commercial transactions, including business to business sales and digital services, not only retail purchases by individuals. Remember that online shopping is an example of e-commerce, but not the formal umbrella term tested in most questions.

Final Answer:
Buying and selling goods over the internet is known as e-commerce.