As we progress towards an era where technology and digitalization is at large and is ever evolving, our dependency on gadgets, laptops, mobile phones has significantly increased as well.
According to a study, in 2020, about 3.8 million have been found using social media and spending time online, which is more than half of the world’s population.
Whether it is to do with working remotely, communicating with our loved ones, friends and colleagues. We are always online and online has definitely made it easier to work and communicate especially during the pandemic.
On the other hand, e-commerce has shown to improve further and has made making purchases convenient and safer. We can now get everything without stepping out of our homes with just a click of a button. With wider options and prices to compare, e-commerce websites have gained massive popularity over the past couple of years.
With everything going digital, people have also started adapting to making purchases and buy online frequently than going to stores or shops. For businesses this is great advantage as they can reach customers globally and expand their customer base.
Not only does this give them a wider opportunity to reach out to more customers but in return customers or buyer get an opportunity to a better range and variety of goods and services.
Let’s take a look at a few points of advantages
- Easy and fast buying
It’s as simple as selecting a couple of products that you’d like to buy and just checkout. One may not have to worry about waiting for long queues for billing or even the hassle of not able to find a parking
- Wide variety of goods and services
In comparison to physical buying where you may be limited to amount of things that you can access at a point from one place, through e-commerce you can just access unlimited products all at one place, from groceries to household items, furniture etc. Giving you a wider choice and range to select from
- Buy anytime, anywhere
Yes that’s right, unlike stores where you are able to visit and purchase only during the given working hours, online gives you the feasibility of purchases anytime throughout the day regardless of the place you are at. You can purchase using your phone or even your laptop
- Better prices
Online shopping gives you an advantage of buying at better and cheaper prices cause there is no middlemen involved. It’s a direct buyer to consumer pattern. You may also get access to special or festive deals that can bring about good savings on purchases.
- Easy communication
E-commerce platforms provide online support to customers, you can have your purchase/product related queries handled professionally by the support team. You are also able to track your order efficiently and support is given even when you are dissatisfied with the product or need to exchange or return.
Apart from all of the above advantages, e-commerce provides a safe and remote method of purchasing, which is proven to be a boon in the current scenario worldwide. While people have restricted movement owing to lockdowns, e-commerce helps overcome these barriers easily. You can still get access to all your essential needs without stepping out. Moreover you are able to make cashless transactions which provides you with more convenience.
In the perspective of businesses, Running an e-commerce store can help in monitoring and learning customer buying behaviours, which can help in understanding their needs and hence target them accordingly.
With all of the above it cannot be denied that e-commerce has become an evident part of our lives and has also proved to be a breakthrough in technological advancements of the 21st century.