Online shopping first hit the scene in the ’90s and many predicted that it would put an end to traditional shopping. While that hasn’t quite come to pass, e-commerce makes up about 20% of global retail sales. To put it simply, the world has seen a massive increase in the number of people who prefer to shop online, and this has led to some interesting pros and cons.
Let’s go over some of the most common highs and lows of online shopping.
The Pros of Shopping Online
Let’s start with why people love to hit checkout on their online cart.
Time is Precious
One of the biggest reasons people cite when asked why they shop online rather than in-store is time. In this busy day and age, many people don’t have time to wander around a store looking for the perfect item. Instead, when they have a few minutes to spare at home or work, they find whatever it is they’re looking for online from the comfort and convenience of their laptop or smartphone. Once they choose their desired timeframe for shipping, they can make payment within seconds and go on about their day.
You Can Find Big Savings
Before online shopping came to fruition, if you wanted to compare prices on certain items from different retailers, you had to drive from store to store, using time and gas. Now, it’s as simple as clicking between multiple pages or finding an app that identifies the best deal for you. This helps you save money and avoid the dreaded buyer’s remorse of overspending.
The Choices Are Endless
With online shopping, you have the ability to track down exactly what you want. If one seller doesn’t have a particular size, style, color, or brand, you can simply move on to another. This helps ensure you get exactly what you’re looking for, rather than settling for second best.
Less Pressure and Hassle
When you shop online, there’s no need to worry about pushy salespeople or the size of your car’s trunk. You can take all the time you need to make a decision, and once you’ve done so, someone else takes on the challenge of getting that item to your front door.
The Cons of Online Shopping
Despite its popularity, there are some drawbacks to shopping online.
The Wait
By far the biggest con of shopping online is the wait time. Waiting days or weeks for your delivery can feel like forever, especially when you’re excited about the item you’ve purchased. This waiting period has become even more frustrating over the last few years, as shipping delays became commonplace during Covid-19.
Shipping Prices Are On the Rise
Many online retailers have upped their shipping prices in recent months, citing that the rising cost of doing business is to blame. At times, shipping can cost more than the item itself.
Cyber Security
While most online retailers do their best to keep private information safe, there’s still always the chance of a security breach. This leak of personal information can lead to anything from annoying spam emails to something more serious like credit card fraud.
The Fit Isn’t Always Right
When it comes to clothes shopping, many people still find the inability to try things on quite challenging. Sizing can vary greatly between brands as they do not all use the same manufacturers to produce their garments. Most online retailers provide sizing guides, but this is not quite a foolproof system. It also adds an extra step to the process by requiring you to take your own measurements.
The Future of Online Shopping
Retailers and tech experts alike are always looking for ways to improve the e-commerce market. The goal is to make online shopping as easy, and safe, as possible. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the newest factors that are set to change the pros and cons of online shopping.
Shoppable Video-conferencing
Otherwise known as livestream shopping, this phenomenon got started during the Covid-19 pandemic. According to the e-commerce technology company Bloo Kanoo, this is online shopping with in-store perks. You can shop from home while still getting help in the same way you would in-store. This is sometimes called assisted shopping or concierge shopping.
Quick Commerce
Q-Commerce seeks to eliminate the wait times of traditional online shopping. If you’ve ever had an item overnighted or two-day shipped, you’ve experienced Q-commerce. As more retailers get on board, consumers can look forward to faster gratification.
AR Testing
AR, or augmented reality, is making its way into the world of online shopping. Shoppers can interact with products, view customization options, and even see what items will look like in their homes. This allows customers to be even more in control of their experience and helps ensure satisfaction.
Conclusion
As e-commerce continues to grow, the pros and cons are sure to change along with it. For now, this list highlights some of the most common positives and negatives, but consumers are excited to see what comes next.
