| Simply put, online shopping is buying products and | | | | you a discount on a product you buy. Alternatively, |
| services on the internet. As per a recent survey, | | | | they issue specific coupon codes for shoppers while |
| nearly 86 percent of internet browsers are online | | | | checking out. |
| shoppers. Why so? It is because web research has | | | | 2. Competitive prices. Internet shopping reduces the |
| become the in-thing for value buyers in today’s | | | | overheads for the seller. This is the main reason why |
| recession. You browse, compare product quality and | | | | you find online products cheaper by up to ten percent |
| prices and decide whether to buy or not. Research is | | | | than retail goods. |
| the keyword for online shoppers today; so much so | | | | 3. Allows research. One can get more information on |
| that even retail sales are boosted by exhaustive | | | | the product or of the services on the web than from a |
| product surveys done on the web. | | | | catalog. Moreover, you can also read reviews of |
| When Did Online Shopping Begin? | | | | buyers before you finally decide to buy. |
| You will be surprised to know that online shopping | | | | 4. Allows wider choice. The internet lets you browse |
| dates back to even before internet, IBM or Microsoft. In | | | | through and survey a staggering choice of products |
| fact this concept was developed by Michael Aldrich of | | | | that is practically impossible for in retail stores. Online |
| Redifon Computers in 1979 by connecting a modified | | | | search makes it simpler for a buyer to zero in on a |
| television to a real time transaction. In May 1984, Mrs. | | | | product based on quality and price competitiveness. |
| Jane Snowball of Gates head, England recorded the | | | | 5. The 24x7 advantage is a singular benefit internet |
| first online transaction the way we know it today. | | | | shopping has over retail stores. You can shop at |
| US retail e-commerce sales exceeded USD 130 billion | | | | your own leisurely time, on any day and from any |
| in 2008. In spite of recession, web shopping in Europe | | | | place. |
| is all set to surpass USD 400 billion by 2011. This is a | | | | 6. Savings on fuel. When people shop online they |
| fair indication that people have given a thumbs-up to | | | | travel less and so save on fuel. This in turn reduces air |
| this system that enables them to shop quickly, avoid | | | | pollution, an added environmental benefit. |
| the hassle of travel, and steer clear of a crowded | | | | Online shopping does have its concerns. Fraud and |
| shopping mall. | | | | security is the uppermost among them. Sellers risk |
| Online shoppers have other reasons as well. Here is a | | | | fraudulent purchases made by stolen credit cards and |
| summation of benefits people derive when they buy | | | | consumers risk buying fake products online. Identity |
| products and services online. | | | | theft looms large on the minds of surfers as hackers |
| 1. Savings on online coupons. Shoppers save a lot | | | | encroach on merchants’ website. |
| with online coupons or coupon code. When you shop | | | | Nevertheless, shopping online has come to stay as |
| online you are sure to find a discount offer that may | | | | consumers’ awareness on how to protect their |
| not be offered in retail shopping. Online retailers very | | | | personal details have increased considerably. |
| often provide a text link that will automatically allow | | | | |