The technological progression and development have given way to the advancement of e-commerce. This has all been possible due to the availability and improvement in internet connections worldwide.
Today people are more connected than they were in the past, as the new technology is penetrating within each business and household through the internet. It’s an ideal scenario for the business entities to launch and grow their businesses through the use of the internet as it is widely used throughout the world.
Individuals are interconnected via social media, performing internet banking, and even doing online shopping as the world is moving towards a fast-paced life. All this is providing the best opportunity for the business community to capture the attention of its potential customers as never before.
Social media has played a significant part in this, as promotions are carried out here as well as one can be affiliated with different online shopping apps through this medium.
People nowadays prefer to shop online rather than going to physical stores, because of the unavailability of time or just for the sake of convenience.
Every convenience has its cost causing increased pollution; waste and small business reduction are all the disadvantages of online shopping.
Finally, online shopping is a convenient way of getting what you want at home but has a number of advantages and disadvantages for society, which is discussed below.
Advantages of Online Shopping
Convenience
Online shopping’s foremost positive impact is convenience.
You can drive to long-distance shopping malls, roaming around the store for searching desired products, and finally waiting at POS for hours to get your turn.
With online shopping, you can have your desired products in just a matter of a few clicks on your computer screens. You can search through an extensive range of products, exploring and comparing them any number of times.
It’s Speedy & Time-saving
Online shopping provides its customers’ a sense of relief by saving them to stand in long queues at cash counters for check out after shopping.
As in conventional shopping, one has to wait in long queues whether he/she has bought only a bag of chips. Here, online shopping provided ease of choosing products of your choice without traveling outside yet saving time.
Online Shops are 24/7 Open
In contrast to conventional shopping, online stores are open 24/7.
If you’re running out of any product, you can place an order at late night so that it reaches your doorstep sooner, and you don’t have to wait until the next day for placing orders.
You can Enjoy a Pressure-free Shopping Experience
At an online shop, you don’t need to deal with the sales representatives pushing you to buy their brand of product.
Also, you won’t be dealing with a crowd over some products that you need the most. You can even get those products which are high in demand at online shopping because of their fast inventory management procedure depending on the customers’ requirements.
It’s Convenient to Compare Products
In conventional shopping, if you need to compare a product first, you have to compare it with products within the store, if you’re not satisfied, you may have to search and compare by physically visiting a number stores for that desired product.
However, at the online store, it is much easier to compare products within the online store you are visiting, or you can search for another online store without moving an inch.
You Can Easily Track Your Products
Online stores facilitate you to track the status of your ordered products. They might be contacting you via email, SMS alerts, or even sometimes making you a call.
Most of the online shops nowadays ask to download their apps, giving you a tracking facility within that app.
Wide Range of Better Deals
Most online stores offer products on wholesale rates, so you have a chance to save your hard-earned money, plus they are delivering those products at your doorstep.
Also, they provide promo or discount codes like deichmann discount code, for its customer to avail discounts to save money yet establishing goodwill for attracting more customers.
Related Article: How Corporate Gifts Help to Achieve User Retention?
Disadvantages of Online Shopping
Delivery Delays
Sometimes customers face a delay in delivery of the ordered item that is mostly due to improper inventory management. This act causes the customers to exasperate, which duly goes against the store’s goodwill.
Why?
Because the customer might not be buying anything from that particular store next time or even let others know about their frustrating experience.
Shipping Issues
Shipping is one of the top disadvantages of online shopping.
Customers may face some inconvenience regarding the shipping of their products.
Also, there is a chance of getting detour of the ordered product, getting lost or damaged in this process. Sometimes the product might get delivered to the wrong address.
Lack of the feeling and touching of products in e-shopping
In online shopping, one cannot touch, feel, or try the items that raise concerns about the quality of the product. These issues mostly come across when buying, especially garments online.
The main insecurity of getting a wrong item is that you cannot try or check the material of the dresses you order.
Sometimes misleading pictures disappoint customers ending up getting a totally different item or the wrong item, which may lead to another problem-filled procedure.
Lack of Interaction with the Salespeople
Unlike conventional stores, you cannot contact a salesperson when you need some opinion about a product you are purchasing for the first time, which you generally avail at the physical stores.
Frauds in Online Shopping
There are lots of fraudulent activities are going on in the name of online shopping.
Some fraud companies have made this procedure a risk. They use customer information to do frauds like phishing, credit card scams, identity theft, hacking accounts, fake websites, and selling forged or imitation of the original product.
Sometimes showing pictures of quality items and delivering a total junk while having a non-refund policy along with a limitation of no return after opening.
Complex Product Return Procedures
There are a few companies, although being genuine, have made the return and refund procedure quite difficult for the customer.
Conclusion
Online shopping is a relief, especially for the current circumstances, as the world is going through this COVID-19 Pandemic.
Although it has a number of disadvantages, along with destroying small businesses, looking on the positive side, they also are generating new jobs for the people.
People in areas like marketing, management, customer service representatives who are available 24/7 have all the chances to work and enhance their professional skills.
Remember that your customers really deserve a salute for delivering products in the current situation by encouraging the customers to be safe at home while they are delivering goods at their doorstep.
James is the Founder & CEO of GurusWay.com. Majoring in Business and other life-changing sectors, James covers helpful content and shares his experience with the targeted audience.