What are the advantages and disadvantages of online shopping?

Online stores do not have space constraints and a wide variety of products can be displayed on websites. It helps the analytical buyers to purchase a product after a good search.

The convenience of online shopping

Customers can purchase items from the comfort of their own homes or workplace. Shopping is made easier and convenient for the customer through the internet. It is also easy to cancel the transactions.

Why shop Online

• Saves time and efforts.
• The convenience of shopping at home.
• Wide variety/range of products are available.
• Good discounts / lower prices.
• Get detailed information about the product.
• We can compare various models/brands.

No pressure shopping

• Generally, in physical stores, the sales representatives try to influence the buyers to buy the product. While in online shopping, you're free to do as you will.

Online shopping saves time

• Customers do not have to stand in queues in cash counters to pay for the products that have been purchased by them. They can shop from their home or workplace and do not have to spend time travelling.

Comparisons

• There is a wide range of products online. The sellers display all the stuff they've got. This enables the buyers to choose from a variety of models after comparing the finish, features, and price of the products on display.

Availability

• The mall is open on 365 x 24 x 7. So, time does not act as a barrier, wherever the vendor and buyers are.

Online tracking

• Online consumers can track the order status and delivery status tracking of shipping is also available.

Online shopping saves money

• To attract customers to shop online, e-retailers and marketers offer discounts to the customers as they have cut down on real estate and maintenance cost the sellers won't back out in giving huge discounts.

Disadvantages of online shopping

Ease of use is the prime reason that drives the success of e-commerce. Though the internet provides a quick and easy way to purchase a product, some people prefer to use this technology only in a limited way. Some people also fear that they might get addicted to online shopping. The major disadvantages of online shopping are as follows.

Delay in delivery

• Long duration and lack of proper inventory management result in delays in shipment. Though the duration of selecting, buying and paying for an online product may not take more than 15 minutes; the delivery of the product to customer’ s doorstep takes about 1-3 weeks.

Lack of significant discounts in online shops

• Physical stores claim to give significant discounts when compared to online stores, this is a huge disadvantage for the older generation.

Missing the shopping experience

• The traditional shopping exercise provides a lot of fun in the form of showroom atmosphere e, smart sales attendants, scent and sounds that cannot be experienced through a website. Indians generally enjoy shopping. Consumers look forward to it as an opportunity to go out and shop.

Frauds in online shopping

• Sometimes, there is a disappearance of the shopping site itself. In addition to the above, the online payments are not much secured. The rate of cyber crimes has been increasing and customers’ credit card details and bank details have been misused which raise privacy issues.