Shop Online: The Ultimate Convenience

With the rise of the internet, the world has experienced an unprecedented rush of interconnectedness. In just a few short decades, the internet has altered virtually every aspect of communication to create a near-instant global culture. As one of the defining characteristics of humanity itself, commerce was not left behind. Accounting for an ever-increasing share of transactions each year, the internet provides the easiest, quickest and even the cheapest way of shopping available.

Convenience

The idea of a push-button culture has become somewhat of a played-out clich? of the future envisioned in the 1950’s. However, concerning online shopping, that clich? has become reality. Because the internet never sleeps, shopping online is available to ravenous consumers 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Once an event requiring travel and face-to-face interaction among people, shopping of any kind can be done with merely a few keystrokes and clicks of the mouse.

Each year, more holiday shopping is accomplished via the internet. One simply must compare venturing into crowded shopping malls and navigating roads packed with stressed-out gift buyers with relaxing in front of the computer with a cup of tea to understand the convenience of shopping on the internet.

Better Deals

But shopping online is not only a windfall for consumers. When customers purchase items directly from a manufacturer, that particular company saves a considerable amount on overhead and the costs associated with it. For instance, online shopping doesn’t require a physical location at all. No sales staff, no managers, and no store or the costs that come with it mean big savings, and they are often passed on to the buyer.

Additionally, with internet-based shopping, consumers have the ability to shop around nearly instantaneously in the comfort of their homes, whereas multiple trips to several stores might have been necessary at one time. More choices means better prices, increased customer satisfaction due to the ability to buy exactly what they want, and reinforcement of the capitalist system in general.

Another great way to save money while shopping online comes in the form of special offers and coupon codes. Sometimes when customers frequent a certain buyer, discounts are offered to entice further business, again providing benefits for the shopper and the seller.

Better Selection

Since a physical storefront is not necessary when it comes to internet-based shopping, buyers have access to every piece of merchandise available in a seller’s warehouse rather than simply the items that will fit into a given retail space. This increased selection leads to a better satisfied, more empowered shopper and rewards sellers who can offer a large line of merchandise.

The internet also opens consumers up to a world of sellers. While big box department stores may offer between three and six brands for a given item, the internet offers access to dozens more, plus smaller, more independent operations. In this way, buyers are more apt to support independent retailers like small artists and crafters as opposed to major brands, making for a more personalized product and shopping experience.

Research Capabilities

One exceptional benefit of internet shopping comes in the area of product and manufacturer research. For example, if a consumer is on the market for a particular electronic gadget, he can do his homework by finding out information for himself rather than relying on or dealing with salesmen, thus not having to deal with pressure and being able to come to his own conclusions.

The phenomenon of user feedback and customer reviews has done worlds to assist shoppers in this vein. By offering their own more or less honest opinions and explanations about service and products, consumers help one another to make decisions on purchases. Product review and special interest sites also help customers make the right choice for them when it comes time to buy.

Possible Environmental Benefits

Solid data concerning the costs and benefits at an environmental level when it comes to shopping online can be difficult to come by and they can be hard to quantify anyway. What is clear is that when someone chooses to make a purchase on the internet rather than in person at a store, the pollution generated by traveling to that store is eliminated and replaced only by the detrimental effects of the shipping process. However, since shipping consolidates commercial traffic—a bit like public transit for packages— logic suggests that the overall effect is reduced emissions overall.

Though it may sound like a dream for sufferers of agoraphobia, online shopping is great for everyone and is now the most convenient way to make nearly all purchases, from finding that special holiday gift for grandma to ordering dinner. Saving both consumers and sellers time and money while providing a larger selection and ample opportunity for better informed decisions, shopping online is truly the ultimate convenience.