Shared environments provide a company with personalized communication in reaching its consumer base and advanced collaboration in developing a successful internal framework of operation. Companies of any size can use shared environments over the Internet to open lines of communication with their customers in a mutually beneficial way. The customer can hold a company more directly accountable for its services and can receive more personalized attention on issues. Electronic commerce in a shared environment is conducted in a familiar setting similar to that of the real world. The significance of Online communities is that it does, in my humble opinion, keep people coming to the web instead of other mediums. That is important because as communication gets more and more complex, the web is on the forefront of making people come closer together. I think that Online communities will grow as the web becomes the leader in the communication field, taking over other mediums for communication, such as television, telephone, and even travel, much like the web has virtually eliminated standard letter writing. Online communities will be more and more significant with the growing popularity of the web. Online communities will also be important with people relating with others who have similar interests and needs. The main benefits on online communities are: