Seven Advantages of Online Shopping

Introduction

During ancient time, when people started living the settled life, for continued livelihood they engaged themselves in the Barter System. In the Barter System goods or services that were surplus or not required were exchanged for other goods or services that were required without using medium of exchange. With the commencement of medium of exchange and especially the monetary system, the market became organized to some extent and around 800 BC the Retail Stores started taking the shape and helped in the growth of the economy.

With the passage of time and more so in recent century, the orientation of shopping changed. Earlier people used to purchase the items from the nearby Retail shops and were satisfied. With changing life style and growth of economy, Local malls developed that served the customers as per their requirement. With Globalization and further growth of economy coupled with enhancement in per capita income, Branded Malls replaced the Local malls and provided the requirements of the consumers under one roof.

Advancement in Technology coupled with the growth of Digital Era and Smart phones users, there was a breakthrough in the shopping domain and online shopping became the talk of the town. Though online shopping started as a fad, it transformed into a fashion and now due to manifold benefits associated, it is now becoming the necessity of the consumers.

Advantages of Online Shopping

Ease of Purchase

The most appreciated benefit of online shopping is the Ease of Purchase. In the present scenario when the lifestyle of people is changing due to digital era and growth of economy, the purchases cannot be limited to one scheduled time, either in the evening or night. Now the consumers work in multinational companies or Business houses get engage themselves across the world. Hence due to difference in convenience, the time bound purchases are vanishing and online shopping is growing as per the ease of purchase or convenience of the said consumer.

Access to Multiple Brands and Variants of Products

The online shopping has the added merit of access to Multiple Brands and Variants of Products as the choices are amazing. The consumer is not limited to any particular retailer. One has the access of different Retailers in different parts of the region, state, country and even one can purchase from the retailers of other countries across the globe. Besides the option of different brands, one has the option to select the product while considering various other parameters of the required product such as size, colour, features etc.

Judicious approach pertaining to product purchase

While shopping online, one is free to make judicious approach pertaining to product purchase. One can compare the price of the same product of different brands with similar features besides comparison amongst different variants of the same product of the said brand. Product reviews can also be considered before going in for the purchase as customer reviews are important source of information that cannot be under-estimated or overlooked.

No Pressure for the Purchase

Online shopping has the merit that sales person cannot motivate or apply pressure for the purchase of the said product. Often it is seen that in retail shop the sales force use their marketing skill to get the product purchased by the incoming consumer even if the consumer is not fully satisfied with the said product. In online shopping the consumer is free from any pressure and he/she can make judicious decision pertaining to the product.

Availing of Discounts and Offers

Often it is seen that in online shopping due to stiff competition on digital platform, there are various Discounts and Offers available to motivate the consumers so that they can buy the said products. It is also the fact that consumers purchase the said product to avail discounts or offers even if they do not require it immediately.

Maintenance of Privacy

Sometimes it becomes embarrassing to purchase undergarments and lingerie in front of sales person in a retail shop. In online shopping privacy is maintained and the product(s) is/are dispatched at the requested address. In this way online shopping is boon to maintain privacy.

Better Flexibility over the Purchase

In online shopping the consumer can decide the product depending on the want and need whereas in conventional shopping the purchase may depend on the limited inventory of the said retail store. Hence online shopping gives the consumer better flexibility over the purchase and the said consumer can decide the purchase of the product.