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Online shopping redirects here Online shopping is the process consumers go through to purchase products or services over the internet. An online shop, internet shop, webshop or online store evokes the physical analogy of buying products or services at a bricks-and-mortar retailer or in a shopping mall. It is an electronic commerce application used for B2B or B2C. Online shopping is popular mainly because of its speed and ease of use. Some issues of concern can include fluctuating exchange rates for foreign currencies, local and international laws and delivery methods.
Price comparison An advantage of shopping online is being able to use the power of the internet to seek out the lowest prices or the best deals available for items or services. For example if one is buying a digital camera he/she should enter "digital camera" into a search engine or a price search engine. Most price comparison services have the advantage of store ratings and reviews. Getting the lowest price is important but it is more important to make sure the merchant or store the customer is purchasing from is reputable. Coupons There are multiple website that compile coupon information for most online merchants. Before purchasing online, it is usually worth checking for coupons. Typing the name of the online merchant along with the word "coupon" in a search engine will provide multiple results. Some of the more popular coupon websites have forums where you can ask for help hunting down a deal if you don't have the time. Rebates There are at least three major shopping portals that provide members rebates for shopping via their sites. How does it work? The merchants pay the portals for the business; the portals share the proceeds with the member. Rebates usually range in the 2-5% range. Membership is free, but some portals require a higher rebate balance before payout. Some will send out a payment automatically, others wait until the member requests one. If you join, be sure to read the fine print so you understand the rebate program. Additional information can also be found at Online shopping rewards. Steps when buying online Just as in a physical store viewing the contents of the cart can be done at any time. Quantities of products can be changed or deleted. Log in or register by choosing a username and a password. Enter personal data. Billing address Shipping address (can be different from the billing address) Phone number E-Mail address (usually optional) Choose means of payment Choose delivery speed and method (post, courier and logistics service, etc.) After editing the personal data a confirmation page is displayed so that the online shopper can approve, change or abort the order. Means of payment Online shoppers commonly use their Credit card for making payments, however some systems enable users to create accounts and pay by alternative means, such as Once a payment has been accepted the goods or services can either be downloaded from the internet or delivered to the consumer via traditional means. Security issues Setting up a shopping cart system Free software History See also | ||||||||
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