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What is Web Shopping?

Matthew F.
Matthew F.

Web shopping is a phenomenon that first emerged in the 1990s. With the growing popularity of the internet, online shopping allows customers to shop different stores from the comfort of their home or computer. The success of online stores like Amazon.com has led many away from in-store shopping toward web shopping. On the web, people are capable of easily comparing products while bargain shopping or discount shopping. Many, however, have raised questions over the costs of online shopping and whether web shopping is safe.

At online stores, customers are able to browse through thousands, sometimes millions, of products. By simply clicking on the product they wish to buy, they are already on their way to a purchase. The next steps, entering shipping and billing information, complete the process. The ease of web shopping has increased over the years, and many major retailers allow for customer logins and easy “one-click” shopping. This gives more speed to an already quick solution, without having the hassle of waiting in lines.

Web shopping allows people to shop for goods and services from their computer.
Web shopping allows people to shop for goods and services from their computer.

Web shopping allows picky or bargain shoppers to go from website to website quickly, without having to drive store to store. On the internet, they are able to quickly check the prices and descriptions of products, and click over to compare them to another product. Many customers also benefit from other customer reviews that are popular on many sites. Previous buyers of a certain object can leave details about what they liked and did not like about the product, the retailer, or the shopping experience.

Web shopping allows picky bargain hunters to go from website to website quickly, without driving anywhere.
Web shopping allows picky bargain hunters to go from website to website quickly, without driving anywhere.

Among the inconveniences of web shopping is shipping. While shopping in stores, customers may walk out with their products, essential if the item is needed right away. Shipping items online often takes at least 3-5 days with standard shipping, and at varying costs. These shipping costs remain high for some sites, and even higher for 2-day or overnight shipping. There is, however, quick shipping for those who do not wish to wait, and many sites offer free shipping with orders of certain amounts.

Web shoppers can feel safe using eBay.com, which has secure and encrypted payment methods.
Web shoppers can feel safe using eBay.com, which has secure and encrypted payment methods.

Many have also questioned the safety concerns of shopping online. With the tenacity of hackers and scammers, some are weary of submitting their personal information online. Major retailers like Amazon.com, eBay.com, or many sites associated with actual retail outlets have secure and encrypted payment methods. However, many smaller, newer, or privately owned sites do not offer such security. Submitting credit card information and sensitive passwords and personal identification numbers to these sites may be risky in some circumstances.

Discussion Comments

tigers88

I like web shops but I wish there was a way they could simulate the experience of being at a mall or something. I run in to trouble because I think of something I want to buy, find a web site that sells it and that is it. There is none of the fun of browsing, or finding new stores or products you didn't know existed. It takes a lot of the fun out of shopping.

ZsaZsa56

I have been to a few car shopping websites online and you seem to be able to get some amazing savings but I am still nervous about the idea of buying a car online. Has anyone ever done this before? What kind of experience did you have?

In some respects I think it would be better. I hate dealing with car salesmen and I always feel like they are conniving to get as much money as possible from me. Skipping this aspect of the experience would be a delight. But I am also a big believer in the test drive. You can't really know a car until you get behind the wheel. And obviously there is no way to do this online. So what should I do? Any advice?

summing

I am a huge fan of web based shopping. In fact, I do almost all of my shopping online these days. I can't remember the last big purchase that I made in a bricks and mortar store.

I prefer just about every single aspect of web based shopping. You can find better deals, the selection is pretty much infinite, there are easy returns and the whole experience is so much more convenient. Anyone who has been to a crowded mall on a hot Saturday afternoon knows where I am coming from.

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    • Web shopping allows people to shop for goods and services from their computer.
      By: Maksim Kostenko
      Web shopping allows people to shop for goods and services from their computer.
    • Web shopping allows picky bargain hunters to go from website to website quickly, without driving anywhere.
      By: ruigsantos
      Web shopping allows picky bargain hunters to go from website to website quickly, without driving anywhere.
    • Web shoppers can feel safe using eBay.com, which has secure and encrypted payment methods.
      By: Ana Blazic Pavlovic
      Web shoppers can feel safe using eBay.com, which has secure and encrypted payment methods.
    • Many people have concerns over security and hackers gaining financial information when conducting web shopping.
      By: Subbotina Anna
      Many people have concerns over security and hackers gaining financial information when conducting web shopping.