Advantages of Online Shopping

The Internet has revolutionized the way we shop. Because of the numerous advantages and benefits, more and more
people these days prefer buying things online over the conventional method of going into stores.

What are some reasons that many people love online shopping and why is it so popular? Below are my top ten
reasons for shopping online.

Pros and Cons of Shopping Online

Advantages of Shopping Online Disadvantages of Shopping Online

Convenience Negative Environmental Impact of Packaging and Gas

Better Prices Shipping Problems and Delays

More Variety Risk of Fraud

Easy to Send Gifts Less Contact With Your Community

More Control Spending Too Much Time Online

Easy Price Comparisons Returns Can Be Complicated

No Crowds You Don't Know Exactly What You're Getting

No Sales Pressure Unfriendly, Scammy, or Complicated Websites

Access to Used or Damaged Inventory No Sales Assistance

Privacy for Discreet Purchases No Support for Local Retailers

10 Benefits of Shopping Online

1. Convenience. Convenience is the biggest perk. Where else can you comfortably shop at midnight while in
your pajamas? There are no lines to wait in or cashiers to track down to help you with your purchases, and you can do
your shopping in minutes. Online shops give us the opportunity to shop 24/7, and also reward us with a ‘no pollution’
shopping experience. There is no better place to buy informational products like e-books, which are available to you
instantly, as soon as the payment goes through. Downloadable items purchased online eliminate the need for any kind
of physical material at all, as well, which helps the environment!
2. Better prices. Cheap deals and better prices are available online, because products come to you direct from
the manufacturer or seller without involving middlemen. Plus, it's easier to compare prices and find a better deal. Many
online sites offer discount coupons and rebates, as well. Not only are prices better, but you can save on tax as well,
since online shops are only required to collect a sales tax if they have a physical location in your state. Factor in the
saved expense of gas and parking and you have saved yourself a lot of money!
3. More variety. The choices online are amazing. You can find almost any brand or item you're looking for. You
can get in on the latest international trends without spending money on airfare. You can shop from retailers in other
parts of the state, country, or even world instead of being limited to your own geography. A far greater selection of
colors and sizes than you will find locally are at your disposal. Plus, the stock is much more plentiful, so you'll always
be able to find your size and color. Some online shops even accept orders for out-of-stock items and ship when they
come in.
4. You can send gifts more easily. Sending gifts to relatives and friends is easy, no matter where they are. All
the packaging and shipping is done for you. Oftentimes, they'll even gift wrap it for you! Now, there is no need to make
 distance an excuse for not sending a gift on occasions like birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, Valentine's Day,
Mother's Day, Father's Day, and so forth.
5. More control. Many times, when we opt for conventional shopping, we tend to spend a lot more than planned
and end up buying items that aren't exactly what we wanted (but we can't find anything better in the store). Online, you
don't have to let the store's inventory dictate what you buy, and you can get exactly what you want and need.
6. Easy price comparisons. Comparing and researching products and their prices is so much easier online. If
you're shopping for appliances, for example, you can find consumer reviews and product comparisons for all the
options on the market, with links to the best prices. We can research firsthand experience, ratings, and reviews for
most products and retailers.
7. No crowds. If you are like me, you hate crowds when you're shopping. Especially during holidays, festivals,
or on weekends, they can be such a huge headache. Also, being crushed in the crowds of shoppers sometimes
makes us feel rushed or hurried. You don't have to battle for a parking place. All of these problems can be avoided
when you shop online.
8. No pressure. Oftentimes when we're out shopping, we end up buying things that we don't really need, all
because shopkeepers pressure us or use their selling skills to compel us to make these purchases.
9. You can buy used or damaged items at lower prices. The marketplace on the Internet gives us access to
listings of old or damaged items at rock bottom prices. Also, if we want to buy antiques, there's no better place to find
great ones.
10. Discreet purchases are easier. Some things are better done in the privacy of your home. Online shops are
best for discreet purchases for things like adult toys, sexy lingerie, and so on. This enables me to purchase
undergarments and lingerie without embarrassment or any paranoia that there are people watching or judging me.

Additional Benefits of Shopping Online

 You get an electronic record of the receipt of your purchase, which makes record-keeping much easier.
 You get to try things on in the comfort of your own home.
 Sometimes, returns are easy.
 It saves time!

10 Disadvantages of Online Shopping

1. Negative environmental impact of packaging and gas. Having your purchase packed in several layers of
plastic and cardboard packaging and delivered right to your front door is good for you, but not so great for the
environment. Even if you try to recycle the cardboard, you're creating unnecessary waste by shopping online.
2. Shipping problems and delays. Even the biggest and best shipping companies and online retailers have
their bad days, so there's no way to ensure that you'll get your hands on your purchase in time unless you pick it up
from a store. Items get lost, detoured, damaged, or delivered to the wrong address more often than you can imagine.
3. Risk of fraud. If you're shopping online, there's a larger risk of fraud: credit card scams, phishing, hacking,
identity theft, counterfeit products, bogus websites, and other scams are common.
4. Spending too much time online. Especially if your job requires that you look at a computer all day, you
might get burnt out on all that screen time. Shopping online can turn into a marathon of scrolling and clicking down
rabbit holes and before you know it, you've been online for most of the day. The internet is a nice place to visit, but
you probably don't want to live there.
5. Less contact with the community. If you do all your business online, you'll never have to leave your home.
This might be great for a while but sometimes, you might want to go outside, breathe some fresh air, get a change of
scenery, talk to real people, participate in your community, and just be a part of the crowd. Sometimes, a computer
monitor can't compete with a real human connection.
6. You don't know exactly what you're getting. Unless you are intimately familiar with a brand or product,
buying online requires a leap of faith . . . one that doesn't always end in your favor. Sizes are often imprecise. You
can't determine texture, fabric, fit, cut, quality, heft, or durability just by looking at a photo. Products that looked great
might feel chintzy, awkward, or cheap when you hold them in your hands.
7. Returns can be complicated. Some sellers make the process breezy, but many make it extra hard for you to
return their merchandise or get a refund. Many times, you can't get reimbursed for any shipping costs. Labeling,
packaging, shipping, tracking, and filling out all the proper forms is a hassle you can avoid if you buy in person (and if
you hand-select your merchandise, you won't need to return things so often).
8. Unfriendly, scammy, or complicated websites. Some sites require that you join their mailing list and make
it impossible to unsubscribe. Some sell your email address to others, so your email is full of ads. Sometimes, sites
don't offer good or accurate descriptions of the goods, or you just can't figure out how to purchase or return an item or
speak to customer service.
9. No sales assistance. In a store, there's usually someone to help you but online, you're on your own. If you're
confused or have questions, it's just too bad for you. You might have to make blind purchases and mistakes you'll
regret later because there was no one to talk to.
10. No support for local retailers. If everyone started doing all their shopping online, all the local stores would
go out of business. When all the stores in town are gone, we'll have to drive further and further away to shop at a real
store. Many people and places have already experienced the negative and sometimes devastating impacts of e-
commerce which take away jobs and devastate local economies.

Best and Worst Things to Buy Online

Things You Should Buy Online Things You Should Buy In a Store

Electronics (new or refurbished) Anything you can haggle for to get a better price

Medicine (cheaper and easier, especially when Medicine (watch out for online scams and expired or fake meds)
you're sick)

Clothing (if you know exactly what color, Clothing (when you want to touch, try on, and inspect)
style, and size you want)

Baby supplies (diapers, formula, food) Anything that should be experienced first (mattresses, furniture, blankets,
etc.)

Pet food (cheaper and easier, especially in Really heavy items (with pricey shipping costs)
bulk)

Books (if you know exactly what you want) Books (if you want to browse, talk to the bookseller, and support your local
bookstore so they don't go out of business)

A used car (cheaper and easier without a Anything you might need to return
dealer, unless you need financing)

Groceries (if you don't have time) Groceries (if you like to choose what you eat and support your local
growers and grocers)

Holiday Gifts (the gift wrapping, shipping, and Any product you haven't tried before (perfume, food items, cosmetics, etc.)
convenience can't be beat)

Art (sites like Etsy list original, beautiful art A pet (of course!)
direct from the artist)

Prescription or reading glasses (always cheaper Real estate (of course!)

and cuter online)

Questions to Ask When Shopping Online

When you are buying from online stores, make sure that you do the following:
 Does the site value your privacy and confidentiality? Is their privacy policy available to read if you want to see
it?
 How long have they been in business? Do they have negative or positive reviews from customers?
 If you’re unhappy with your purchase, do they have a refund policy?
What do you think?

Comments
Justclick shop from iran on September 21, 2017:
It is so much easier to sit at home, find what we need it and then it's delivered to our front door.Online shopping
makes it easy for us to compare sellers before buying. we can get more detail before making a decision to buy or not
kane Simicart from USA on December 30, 2015:
Online Shopping is really convenient and saves time and effort for people. And today are turning to mobile users
increasingly strong, and M-commerce has been and will be the inevitable trend of modern times.
Purchasing via mobile really too convenient!
Rukhshan from Pakistan on February 13, 2015:
You will get cheap price, variety, comfort, best deal.
Amazaving on January 16, 2015:
It's the convenience factor for me which makes online shopping so useful. That and the discounts you can find!
RaghavHanda on September 05, 2014:
You are right guys online shopping is a very good way, because online shopping also helped me, in my Urgent
shopping cases .
Daddy Paul from Michigan on September 30, 2013:
Yes save money shop online!
Joy from United States on July 08, 2013:
Yes, online shopping is good. Now doing online shopping is become one of my hobby. You will get cheap price,
variety, comfort, best deal. What else you want?
S K Sinha from India on April 26, 2013:
I agree to u.... but in today's era everyone is having busy schedule.... so to find out some time from that schedule for
shopping is not very easy... so i prefer online shopping because it saves my time and at the mean time provides me
great options and a lot of varieties for a particular thing or goods i want to shop for...
bulkmarketplaza on January 04, 2013:
i also prefer online shopping its very convenient
OBrien26 on January 01, 2013:
So true. Shopping online is a god sent to those who aren't big fans of shopping in brick-and-mortar stores. I agree with
you. I don't know what I would do without the internet because I do all of my shopping from clothing, to car parts, to
exercise equipment, to even supplements. It's like having the world's largest menu for you to choose from.
Qurbani on October 23, 2012:
Internet has totally changed the way we do our Purchasing. Because of the several Advantages and Advantages of
Purchasing On the internet more and more people nowadays choose On the internet Purchasing over traditional
shopping.
talfonso from Tampa Bay, FL on August 05, 2012:
This is very useful! I buy what other stores in my area don't have online. Speaking of local, it can help you save more
on shipping and handling.
monicamelendez from Salt Lake City on July 24, 2012:
I buy a lot of stuff on Amazon and I completely love it. Things are almost always a lot cheaper on there than they are
where I live and it's so much more convenient.
Yolanda Gonzalez on June 29, 2012:
Obvious and Concise . I will look more of your post.
webpromotica on June 25, 2012:
Online shopping has provided an amazing way to grab your desired products on discounted price tag...........

tipstoretireearly from New York on June 20, 2012:

My favorite advantage of online shopping are the customer reviews and specifications. It's a great way to find the right
product, especially for electronics where its impossible to actually "see" what you're buying at a physical store since
the important parts of the product are hidden inside the case.
precy anza from USA on June 16, 2012:
That's why I prefer shopping online, specially with free shipping. And in the list, my favorite reason would be number 6,
comparison of prices. And before I decide to buy something I always read reviews first. Awesome hub! Voted up! :)
sakim on May 18, 2012:
shopping online is my hobby. I don't have to spend extra charges on fares. I like it as everything is available with just a
click of my fingertip.
Mandy on May 18, 2012:
Can I know more about why can get better prices by online shopping?
Nalinie Abeyasinghe on March 21, 2012:
I like online shopping.Because my timetable is very busy.some items very easy and convenience for apply in
online.Shopping online can be better for life. bigger variety or number of international apply so fast.I send some gift
item online shopping two weeks presented..final online shopping make comparison and research and prices very
possible.
Oyewole Folarin from Lagos on March 09, 2012:
The benefits of online shopping should not be undermined. Apart from convenience attached to this, it's cost saving
for those that know how to get the best deal online.
Radhika Sreekanth from Mumbai,India on February 20, 2012:
I too prefer online shopping to conventional shopping. One main advantage I've seen with online shopping is that you
get the right product of your choice. If you go to shops, you'll end up buying with salesmen's choice, not yours. Nice
hub. Voted up as useful.