Technology – in particular, the Internet – has moved at such a rapid pace that it’s hard to fully impress just how the digital landscape has revolutionised the world of business. No matter what the industry, the introduction and development of internet technology has completely changed the fundamentals of how we work. Here, we’ll look at the different areas of business that have been most affected and how, as well as investigate what this means for those in or interested in these industries.
Online Retail – Democratised on Both Sides
By now, we’ve all heard the story of how Amazon was born in a garage before growing into the titan of retail and the one-stop-shop it has now become. However, It’s not all about the big names that dominate the retail world. The digital age has brought with it true democratisation of the industry both in terms of participating in the sale of products and as a customer.
Customers Empowered by the Information Age
Never before has a customer had this level of power when it comes to making decisions on purchases. Yes, the industry is dominated by retailers like the aforementioned Amazon, but the introduction of speedy mobile internet has meant that consumers can compare prices on the fly, no matter where they are, as well as access up-to-date reviews of their products and retailers of choice.
Selling as a Hobby or Small Business
On the opposite side of the fence, the internet and the development of mobile tech have opened up a brand new world of selling for individuals and small businesses.
In the beginning, eBay introduced people to selling their unwanted possessions and memorabilia, but now sites like Vinted and Easy have entered the market and ensured that small retailers have a place online.
Gaming Online: Hardcore and Casual
It will be no surprise to anyone visiting this site that gaming has been one of the biggest areas that the digital revolution has touched. No longer is video gaming a single player, in-house thing. You can play games with friends or strangers on the other side of the globe because of the internet.
Casino Gaming Feels the Boom
Many people, when thinking about gaming, likely wouldn’t instantly think of the casino. However, it has long been at the vanguard of online gaming. If you click here and look at Casino Days, you can see that there are now live streamed casino games with real dealers, only made possible by the huge leaps in streaming tech.
Live Streaming a New Career
It’s not just online casino games that have been affected by live video streaming. The ease at which people can now create high-definition live video content has meant that there is a huge growth in streaming sites and their audiences. NPR reported here that more than 20 billion hours of content were streamed on Twitch in 2024.
Remote Working and the Gig Economy
A combination of technology rapidly improving – specifically, high-speed wireless internet – and the work-from-home revolution born from necessity in 2020 and the subsequent couple of years has led to an unprecedented level of remote working in 2024. No longer are physical offices the be-all and end-all of work.
This has meant that many previously shackled workers are turning to the gig economy to make a living.
The Gig Economy: From Cars to Copy
With people looking for all the freedom that they can get their hands on in the modern age, the gig economy has transformed from being an uncertain way to earn money to a crucial way that people live. Look at the number of people turning to Uber or Lyft to make money from driving, setting their own hours. It has also extended even to writing, where copywriters use sites like Fiverr to find opportunities.
A World That Will Never Look the Same
Because of all of this growth spurred on by the constant innovation in tech, it’s unlikely that we will ever see the world return to its previous shape. Instead, with AI fast becoming a staple of our lives, it’s more likely that there will be new and exciting prospects both in the job market and in leisure and recreation.
