With today’s highly competitive lifestyles, basic chores that used to be part of a family’s regimen might now be viewed as a hassle that wastes vital time. And shopping appears to be the most inconvenient chore of them all!
Widespread online shopping for clothing, office supplies, and home products has benefited many customers.
Many individuals prefer to do their time-consuming holiday shopping online and have it shipped to their homes.
Because of the current revolution that has made the Internet available to practically all corners of the world, more and more people are lured to online shopping.
Online shopping is the most convenient and pleasant way to shop while relaxing at home. Unlike traditional shopping, you don’t need to prepare or schedule a taxi.
The things you want are only a click away with the online shopping apps available for your mobile phones or desktops.
Every buyer who has tried online shops will have their viewpoints. Let us look at the pros and cons of online shopping and see if it is any good!
Table of Contents
Pros of Online Shopping
Let us start by comparing the pros of online shopping and understand the hype behind it.
1. Convenience
Convenience is the primary advantage of shopping online. Shoppers may browse from the convenience of their own homes or offices. Likewise, online shopping deals are simple to cancel.
This practice has simplified purchasing because there are no lines to wait in, allowing us to complete our purchases in minutes. The outlet is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Shopping online saves time and energy. We may acquire thorough information about a product, fantastic discounts, and reduced pricing. Isn’t that very convenient?
2. Inexpensive Products
Online retailers provide their goods at a lesser cost than traditional retailers. Many businesses provide items at lower prices than they would in physical locations since the cost of warehousing and service personnel’ salaries is lower with online purchasing.
Because the dealer does not have to pay for energy, rent, or cashiers, the cost of goods is lower. Additionally, a person might find affordable goods in another state.
When ordering online, we can save paying for transportation since we don’t have to go to the store to buy the items physically; instead, we can shop from the comfort of our homes. Hence, online purchasing is generally more affordable than traditional retail shopping.
3. Access to a variety of products
We now have access to products that were previously out of our reach since they were only accessible in places we couldn’t go- gratitude to online shopping!
Everything is at our reach, at our fingertips! We only need to look for whatever we want on the search bar.
When purchasing online, there are no regional limitations in effect. Customers can access worldwide markets for the products and services they want.
There are minimal restrictions; however, delays and increased delivery fees for international purchases may occur. This implies that there is more diversity in the purchasing experience.
4. No Crowds
If you are anything like me, you detest crowded stores. They may be a significant pain, particularly on weekends, holidays, and festival seasons.
Additionally, at times we feel pressured or rushed due to the tension of the crowded stores.
If you want to shop but don’t enjoy traveling to busy places, you may sit in your favorite spot and buy what you need without hustling to the store!
5. No worries about fuel and parking
Even the gasoline you squander on going shopping may be saved. Since you don’t have to travel or drive, you save much money over time.
You may find a parking space at some malls, but getting there is generally very frightening. Additionally, most of the time, it’s challenging to locate a space, particularly during some critical events. Not to forget that most parking spots come at a price!
6. Price and Product Comparisons
Online businesses showcase their whole product line to draw clients with various tastes and demands.
Customers may choose various options after evaluating the displayed items’ characteristics, pricing, and finish.
You may also compare prices when purchasing online. It not only aids in pricing comparisons between various businesses, but consumers also have the benefit of being able to save money. Online shopping offers you many more opportunities to save money.
7. Reviews of product
Most clients check product reviews online to gather basic information from others who have tried the product. Online reviews enable us to learn more about a product’s features and benefits.
For example, if we want to buy clothing, we may read the evaluations of that item and discover that some consumers have also uploaded images of themselves wearing the item.
As a result, we can shop wisely. Future buyers are encouraged by reviews and may make wise purchases.
8. Gift More Easily
It is simple to ship gifts to loved ones and friends, regardless of where they are. The online store e handle all of the shipping and packing for us. Sometimes they generously package it as a present for you!
You no longer have to use distance as a justification to skip sending a present on special occasions like birthdays, marriages, celebrations, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, etc.
Cons of Online Shopping
Not every consumer is pleased with their online shopping experiences. For some, it is a blessing, but for others, it is a nightmare. The following are some of the downsides of internet shopping:
1. Online Fraud
When it concerns online shopping, a large number of individuals are dubious. Not everyone finds it simple to trust internet retailers.
The number of online crooks and fraudsters is growing, making it easier for buyers to be duped.
There are now several websites where con artists and fraudsters advertise their never-delivered goods.
Online credit card payments carry an additional risk since card numbers can be stolen and used fraudulently by criminals to conduct online transactions.
People should purchase goods from reputable internet retailers and websites to be secure.
2. Impulse buying
Because of the easiness all around online shopping, it’s now so simple to buy stuff we don’t need.
That whimsical item that’s attractive but we don’t know what to do with; that pair of heels to add to the dozens you don’t wear; that adornment that no one will see because, well, you are not much of a party girl!
Impulse purchases like these can damage you long-term and lead to unneeded credit card debt if you don’t stop them early.
3. Shipping Costs
When you first see the goods on a site, it appears to be less expensive. However, additional expenses such as shipping, tax, and packing are imposed when you progress with the transaction.
You may pay the same amount or even more on delivery expenses depending on your order. On the contrary, there is no need to charge extra for the cost of shipping when buying physical stores.
4. Delay in delivery
Extended lead times and poor inventory management are the main causes of late deliveries.
Shipments may take between one and three weeks, even though choosing, buying, and paying for items online could take less than 5 minutes. Customers often become irritated by this process and stop making online purchases.
5. No trial
The absence of touch-feel-try raises worries about the quality of the goods. Online buying for apparel is unrealistic since shoppers cannot try them on.
When purchasing online, there is no way to alleviate a buyer’s uncertainty about the worth of a thing. It is not conceivable to try on clothes or shoes.
You cannot check electronics until they arrive. An internet transaction carries some risk, even if the product description is correct.
6. No bargain
You can only negotiate while purchasing in person, not when shopping online. Cashbacks, discounts, and coupons are available while purchasing online, but this is not the same as negotiating. If one is adept at negotiation, he may save a lot of money while shopping offline.
7. No guarantee of what you’ll receive
We cannot see what we buy online; we see the photographs. One disadvantage of shopping online is the possibility of obtaining a subpar or even damaged good.
Do you remember the phrase “Expectation vs. Reality”? That might have resulted from individuals believing they were buying one item but receiving a lesser quality one instead.
8. Not suitable for the environment
Having your purchase wrapped in a few layers of plastic and cardboard and delivered straight to your front door is convenient for you but not for the environment.
Whether or if you try to reuse the cardboard, purchasing online creates unnecessary waste.
Excess greenhouse gas emissions associated with parcel transportation contribute to global warming.
Global warming is one of the most severe environmental issues. The priority should be to cut greenhouse gas emissions as quickly as feasible.
Is Customer service a pro or a con of online shopping?
The customer experience of online shopping depends upon customer service policies. Only an online presence is not superior to the traditional method if we don’t have better consumer reviews.
But better customer service from online shopping sites can boost online sales to an extreme level. Some of the ways customer service representatives can make their work a pro are:
- Know your potential customers,
- Create a plan of action,
- Transparency in conventional shopping,
- Select appropriate marketing channels,
- Create non-bogus websites,
- Handle a complaint in the best possible way, and
- Learn and have solutions to your problems.
Summary (Pros and cons of online shopping)
| Pros |
|---|
| Inexpensive products |
| Convenience |
| Access to a variety of products |
| Price and Product Comparison |
| No crowded shopping |
| Online product reviews |
| No stress of parking and fuel |
| Perfect for gifts |
| Cons |
|---|
| Online Fraud |
| Impulse buying |
| No trail |
| No bargain |
| Shipping cost |
| Delay in delivery |
| No guarantee of product quality |
| Bad for environment |
Nowadays, a sizable proportion of consumers shop online. The increased popularity of internet shopping has influenced many consumers to purchase online. However, many people still prefer to purchase in actual stores.
Internet shopping may be more expensive if you are a consumer who makes and keeps a food list.
Online grocery shopping may be the ideal option if you are a shopper struggling to keep to your grocery list or getting to the market due to your busy schedule or mobility.
Shopify is one of the finest platforms to start your online e-commerce. But does the platform have any drawbacks? Check out the pros and cons of Shopify for starting an online presence.
(Last Updated on September 21, 2022)
