To shop online is to experience a whole new world of thrills, bargains and sometimes, great peril. Let me explain: For many of us, online shopping is an alien concept. First-world countries have no problems with hopping online with a credit card and providing their details to buy the latest digital camera for a considerably cheaper price. Now try it for yourself and select a website that has a sweet deal; then pick your item and simply click checkout. It’s hard to do, isn’t it? That final step, the thought that something could go wrong between the millions of miles of fibre-optic cabling that is relaying your precious information back and forth, is the very same thought that makes you back out of your purchase. This little syndrome is called â€shopping cart abandonment’ and it plagues the profits of many an online shopping website. There are two sides to the online shopping process. I’m speaking about the buyer and the merchant, with both of these groups experiencing similar pitfalls and opportunities when it comes to the heady world of the internet. The customer needs to trust the website they browse in order for the merchant to secure a sale. The merchant needs to secure the trust of the customer in order to turn a profit. One hand feeds the other and this system is merely the digital equivalent of a real-life analogue shopping centre, only with an endless variety of choices. In a shopping centre however, there is not the constant worry of a thief duplicating your information and using your details for their ill-gotten gains. Thankfully, the internet has become wise to these cybercrimes and with the advent of security systems such as Paypal, SSL Encryption [an extra layer of security for data] and advanced firewalls software consumers can now rest assured that their information will remain their own Never mind all these options though. No amount of clever jargon is going to convince you into shopping online if your mindset is not ready for virtual shopping. It’s not make-believe though, your transaction is real and the lack of a tangible item should not put you off buying your well-priced bargain of the century. Online shopping sites offer more than enough payment options; with local ones even accommodating debit orders. Most products are suitable for online shopping, including fresh produce. Did you know that in countries such as the UK, the costs attached to shopping online and shopping inside a store are basically on par with each other? Certain stores even give discounts to customers who buy in bulk on their websites, offering free delivery and vouchers on occasion. The online shopping market is turning a massive profit, with total sales that have risen from less than $50 million to a stunning total of over $250 billion of combined profits. The biggest market online has to be clothing, which is unique and more than a little bit weird, as would it not be considered normal to want to try on a pair of shoes before purchasing them? Nevertheless, online users have flooded websites for orders ranging from shoes to tops and pants. The second most popular items for sale are computer and hardware parts, followed by auto parts and home furnishings. As you can see, food does not yet feature as a highly purchased commodity. Certain goods it seems are more safely purchased in person and inside a store. If you have decided to head into the uncertain waters and shop online, I wish you the best of luck. Practice first, if you are unsure, using a well known online shopping website such as Amazon or eBay. These sites have cracked down on criminal activities and buying online with these giants is now as safe as it gets. Always remember, check your goods before the final step; practice plenty of price comparison and if an item looks dodgy, then it most likely is.
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