Online Shopping



Online ShoppingOnline shopping, also called electronic shopping or e-shopping, is shopping that involves the use of a computer, modem, browser, and the Internet to locate, examine, select, and pay for products.Many businesses encourage consumers to shop online because it saves employee time, thus reducing staffing needs and saving money for the company. For example, some major airlines offer special discounts to travelers who purchase their tickets over the Internet, and most are eliminating paper tickets altogether.Advantages of Online ShoppingFor the consumer, online shopping offers several distinct advantages over traditional shopping methods. These advantages include the following:More product information. At many online stores, you can find detailed information about a wide variety of products, an advantage often unavailable in traditional stores.Ease of comparison shopping. E-shopping allows you to quickly find comparable items at similar stores and locate those venues with the best quality and lowest prices.Convenience. With e-shopping you can browse merchandise and make purchases whenever you want from the privacy and comfort of your home or office.Greater selection. Because they are not restricted by available shelf space, online stores can offer you an almost unlimited number of products.Online Shopping VenuesJust as consumers can visit a variety of brick-and-mortar retail outlets, such as stores and shopping malls, Internet shoppers can browse several types of online shopping venues, including online stores, superstores, and shopping malls.Online StoresAn online store, also called a virtual store, is a seller’s website where customers can view and purchase a merchant’s products and services. The site, or storefront, groups its products or services in categories that link to a list of merchandise within each category. The user clicks a desired category to view pictures, descriptions, and prices of available products.Online SuperstoresLike brick-and-mortar superstores, online superstores offer an extensive array of products, from candy bars to household appliances. Some popular superstores also have online superstores. E-tailer superstores have proved especially popular with shoppers.Online Shopping MallsWhen shopping malls were introduced in the 1950s, consumers were delighted by the convenience of being able to shop in a wide variety of stores physically connected under one roof. Similar in concept, an online shopping mall connects its stores by hyperlinks on the mall’s home page. Some businesses, in fact, do not have individual online stores but instead offer their products and services only at an online shopping mall.Online Shopping Safety TipsThe number one concern consumers have about shopping online is security. The truth, however, is that shopping online is safe and secure if you know what to look for. Following these guidelines can help you avoid trouble.Never provide your social security number.Find out the privacy policy of shopping sites before you buy.Keep current on the latest Internet scams.Look for sites that follow privacy rules from a privacy watchdog such as TRUSTe.Answer only the minimum questions when filling out forms.Only buy at secure sites. ................
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