The digital world has not only changed the way we do business, but it has impacted the way we live our day to day lives. Everything from communication, to ordering services and shopping, has changed significantly. These days, everything has to be quick and efficient and if you cannot do it in a few clicks, there are a number of other sites and businesses that can do it cheaper and quicker than you.
Online shopping or e-commerce has exploded over the last five years, with the number of online shoppers shocking the industry. Research shows that eight in ten Americans shop online, with 51% of them shopping from their mobile phones. In fact, statistics show that currently, e-commerce makes up for 13.7% of retail sales worldwide. That means that there are currently 1.92 billion shoppers who make online purchases worldwide, and this number is constantly growing.
So, why is online shopping so popular? And why are so many people moving toward digital transactions rather than going to malls? We thought we would take a look at the top six reasons why people shop online, and what could the advantages be for you.
You Can Do Important Research About the Product
In the days before the internet started taking over the world, it was tough to find information about the products that you needed. Let’s face it, you had to rely on the knowledge that the salesman in the shop had on that product. Nowadays, you have a plethora of information at your fingertips. Not only can you research the particular brand and product you are looking for, but you can do comparative research. This way, you can compare products and their features side by side and decide which one is best for you. There are a number of informative sites that provide you with real-life reviews and product breakdowns that allow you to decide which product suits your needs the most. You also need to pay attention to the quality and the price of the desired product because without careful product research, according to Rave Reviews, you could easily waste money on a low-quality item. With this kind of information, you are more likely to end up buying things that you’ll actually use.
You Can Shop Anything From Anywhere at Any Time
According to numerous sources, this is vital! The reason why people prefer shopping online to physical shopping is due to the fact that you can shop at all hours of the day. Think about it, this takes out the restrictions that stop you from visiting shops. With most people working nine to five, and most shops holding the same working hours, this restricts the number of shopping hours left at your disposal. Online shopping also means that you can shop for something you are looking for wherever you are. Whether it be when you are relaxing on the couch after a long day, traveling to work on public transport or even trapped in an office. Logging online and shopping what you are looking for is simple and easy.
Payments Are Safe and Secure
Surprisingly, this is one of the biggest deterrents of shoppers. The majority of people surveyed as to why they wouldn’t shop online was due to payment safety. However, most people are not totally aware that the risk of online fraud is equal to, if not slightly smaller than that of brick and mortar stores. Payment gateways, banks, and even the online shops are constantly evolving with technology to ensure that all payments are secured at all times. Your financial information is usually encrypted (or scrambled) which makes it tricky for thieves to get their hands on it. Credit cards are usually the safest way to make purchases online. Not only is it easy to track, but getting a transaction reversed is usually simple and hassle-free. Credit card protection in most online stores is top priority and technology is constantly improving to ensure your data’s safety.
It Is Quick, Easy and Efficient
As we mentioned before, researching the perfect product is simple. Buying it is even better. You simply filter in the features that you are looking for, shop around for the best price, fill in your information and get the item delivered. This takes out the hours of walking around malls trying to do exactly the same thing! Most sites also have an option for you to create a profile which means that you don’t need to fill out all of your details over and over again. Your profile is saved and protected and when you come back to the online shop, you can simply make your choice, and make the payment. And even this process has been made more efficient! Apps and mobile shopping also save your payment details, so you don’t need to sift around in your bag, fruitlessly try to remember your PIN and fight with your banking app to get the payment approved. Did we mention that the product usually arrives straight to your door? These days, with the expansion of e-commerce, deliveries have become more frequent, cheaper and more reliable than ever before. They even service more areas, with deliveries taking place to more than just city centers.
No-one Likes A Mall Anyway Right?
In wrapping up, it really boils down, for a lot of people that it just takes the hassle out of going to a mall. There are no screaming children, endless queues, hoards of people, parking nightmares, parking fees, sore feet, hours of trying to find a store, unnecessary spending at five stores on the way to your store and the necessary food and water to keep you alive through the experience.
With online shopping, you can simply log on, buy your product, take a sip of your wine and wait for it to arrive at your door. Who needs more of a reason?