Pros and Cons of Online Shopping

Shopping online, has seemly become a growing trend globally in the era of digitization, making it possible to buy things at any moment and anywhere. Though it has been criticized for some reasons, I believe that its strengths are much more significant than its drawbacks, as it is a great boon to households in all corners of the world.

The main drawback of purchasing online is that it hasexacerbated the environmental pollution world-wide due to the delivery of itemsbought via the internet. Enormous plastics bags are used far more than everbefore when people were wide-eyed by the buzzword “e-commerce” several decadesago, creating far-reaching disastrous impacts on environment. A less obviousdisadvantage lies in the deceptive advertising. To make their products morevisually tantalizing, online vendors tend to beautify them by photo editing,which thus may impress consumers with false images and therefore induce them tobuy the merchandise. 

Nonetheless, making purchases online has several points in itsfavor. One substantial benefit is that it is easier and faster and provides moreconvenient access than its brick-and-mortar counterparts. As the slogan ofMatalan, a British fashion and homeware retailer, goes, “click and collect”, buyers’items are a sheer “mouse click” away. With a wide spectrum of products at theirfingertips, consumers are empowered to choose in both domestic and internationalmarkets. This in particular has revolutionized people’s lifestyle in ruralareas, where people were previously constrained by distance and transportationhad to travel to faraway towns or cities to buy necessities. The otherundeniable benefit of buying things through the internet is that it providesconsumers a platform for comparing the similar products before making an order.It is the internet that enables shopping around much more efficient and decision-makingmore rational.

Though it may have potential dangers, online shopping has been growing share of purchases. Enabled by information technology, particularly the proliferation of smartphones, e-business has become an unprecedented business model. Simultaneously, the watchdog of each government is playing a significant role in safeguarding the interest of stakeholders involved in online shopping.