Two decades ago, back in the 1990s when online shopping was still in its infancy, people were reluctant to buy from online stores. This might be hard for you to imagine, seeing how online retail stores are dominating the Internet today. But the concerns that we had back then were pretty valid. Thanks to the development of messaging tactics and marketing techniques, we are now in an era where we can get practically anything online.
Can you imagine ordering steel for sale online? Yes, steel, aluminum, metal, wood, etc. What used to be stuff that you could get from a hardware store exclusively can now be purchased online. If you have an online store that you want to market to your audience, you need to use the right messaging and marketing strategies to convince even the most loyal brick-and-mortar customers to try out purchasing online.
24/7 Availability
Do you know that the number one reason consumers are shopping online isn’t even the convenience it presents? It’s actually the ability to check out items 24/7. Most people work until the wee hours. Once they get home, they want to be able to check their favorite stores and sign out items they want to be delivered. When it comes to sales such as Black Friday, they take advantage of the promotions that online stores have, too. Who needs to line up outside gadget stores if you can get the same discounts online?
Price Comparison
It is difficult to compare prices offline. You have to visit each store and take note of the difference in their prices. Online stores allow you to compare the prices digitally. The best thing about this is that most online stores will give you back your money if you find another store that offers the same item cheaper. It’s a win-win situation.
Better Prices
For some reason, online stores offer way better and competitive prices than brick-and-mortar stores. Shopping malls have end-of-season and clearance sales that are 70%, but they cannot go as low as the prices that online stores offer. Shopping mall stores still have to take into account the rental of the property, utilities, and people involved in making the sale.
No Wasted Time
If you buy online, there’s no need to waste time facing the traffic, finding a parking space, and walking to the shops. You can do your shopping in the comfort of your own home, even if you’re still in your pajamas. Nothing beats that feeling. It’s a hassle-free and convenient way of purchasing items.
One-stop Shop
Here’s another convenience that online shops offer but brick-and-mortar stores cannot. You can shop for everything you need without having to leave your chair. You won’t have to go from one store to another in search of another item. You only have to visit the online shops of the things you need and purchase them from there. If you’re buying from Amazon, you won’t even need to leave the same website. Everything is there.
Although online stores offer the most convenient way for you to shop, this does not mean that you should not check out brick-and-mortar stores from time to time. Going from one store to another is a great exercise. All that walk and sprint will burn calories. Also, there’s still something about fitting the pair of shoes you’ve been eyeing that makes shopping offline more satisfying.
Meta Title: Why Consumers Are Drawn to Online Retail Stores
Meta Description: Online retail stores have experienced a boom in the industry in recent years. Why are consumers suddenly drawn to online shopping? Read more here.