The internet has opened up a wide range of knowledge that has made it possible for people to adopt to new things and new experiences. The increased use of the internet has opened up a channel for online marketing and shopping. Many businesses that have a vision to globalize their sales use the internet to advertise and sell their merchandise or services worldwide.
Physical stores are complemented by websites where the store owners list their produce to fetch more customers, while some businesses operate with just the online stores. Online stores have become a popular place for shopping, as opposed to previous nonphysical methods like ordering by phone or by mail.
Research on the popularity of online shopping indicated that about half of the United States population had purchased something online. In addition to this, the number of people adapting to online shopping is expected to grow, due to the numerous benefits associated with it.
While online shopping is an ideal option, first time customers observe a few factors before they can create their trust to online businesses. It is the responsibility of the online vendor to ensure that the customers feel comfortable making purchases, by adjusting their perception of risks associated with online shopping.
Other factors that potential online customers consider include the ease of finding appropriate items, the means of delivery, and the time taken for the item to reach you.
One of the advantages of online shopping over the traditional method of going to the store in person is convenience. In the traditional system, customers had to either go to the store or send a person with instructions about the purchase.
With online shopping, it is easy to find the exact product desired, within a short time frame and using minimal effort. Online shopping saves on time since it does not require the customer to travel to the retail shop, and move about looking for the desired items.
Shopping for products online does not require much effort, as one can do it in their own homes, and use online search components to locate specific items. In addition to this, most online shops have shopping carts, which allow customers to pick items and the quantity of each product, before proceeding to the payment option.
Another benefit of online shopping is confidentiality. Buyers can purchase items and remain anonymous, in cases where the public may question their choices. A survey conducted on online shoppers indicated that most of them prefer searching for information regarding new products online, as opposed to inquiring from personnel in the retail shops.
Another appealing factor to online shopping is the convenience of shopping hours. While products may not be available instantly, a person can purchase items at any time of the day or night. There is no time limitation to rush the shoppers, since the online stores do not close.
This is especially beneficial for customers who intend to purchase items that they have never used before, as they can go through reviews from other users of the product. Discussion forums and chat rooms are also helpful in providing relevant information to the use of new products, and in making decisions regarding various brands and designs.
Online shopping eliminates the need for vendors, and the customer deals directly with the store personnel. This is good for the shopper since there is no one to persuade them in to purchasing items, which makes their choices informed and decisive.
Online stores are ideal to most people because they have unlimited space. This is good since they can display a wider variety of products, and the consumers can, therefore, find the most suitable item without their options being limited by store space, or geographical location, for the items that are not locally available. People are also able to compare different products with ease online, which leads to informed purchases.
While online shopping is a favorable option for many people, there are still a few drawbacks associated with it. The first drawback involves the fun aspect of shopping. Most people consider shopping as a fun activity that is done with friends.
The excitement associated with physical interaction with products when shopping in retail shops is lost when purchases are made online. Another limitation to online shopping concerns both privacy and security. Most people are uncomfortable with providing personal information to web sites, due to the large number of phishing sites.
Privacy is a key factor in discouraging online shopping due to increasing crimes related to credit card frauds. Other privacy concerns are undesired solicitation and use of private information for a variety of unauthorized purposes.
The third limitation of online shopping is that it requires access to both a computer and the internet. This limits the use of online services to well off people who can afford computers, or at least, have access to one.
In addition to this, an individual needs to be skilled in using the internet, in order to access web sites with online stores, and to navigate with ease. As a result, older people who are not familiar with computers and the internet cannot make use of online shopping services, and have to travel to the retail shops to purchase their items.
The fourth concern with regard to online shopping is product category risk. It is risky to purchase some items such as electronics since one cannot verify that their functional operation is as required and desired.
Apparels and perfumes also exhibit low online purchases, since most customers prefer to buy the items once they have interacted with them, and are satisfied with the operations.
The demonstrations given when making the purchases in retail shops are significant in giving the buyers the confidence that they operate and fit well. Clothes too, need to be fitted on before purchasing, so that the customer examines the comfort level of the attire.
Another concern to online shopping is indecisiveness due to exposure to a wide variety of products. While having a large number of products to choose from may be a good thing, some people get confused on the best item to purchase, and end up making a random purchase which may not be the best option. To eliminate such challenges, the online stores should organize their products in a user friendly manner.
Online shopping has many advantages, and the few demerits associated with privacy and security can be eliminated by using appropriate website designs and integration of relevant security measures, especially with regard to online payments.
This will be effective in getting people to trust the online store and, therefore, attract more customers. The use of interactive tools such as 3D technology will also give the consumers more confidence when making particular purchases. In spite of the rapid growth of online stores, the traditional methods of shopping are unlikely to be entirely eliminated.