Online shopping has proved to be a huge business in the past years. However, the revolutionary development of the Internet and the COVID-19 pandemic brought online shopping to greater heights. On top of that, we have witnessed how buyers’ decision-making process has changed over the years. Statistics prove that more and more consumers prefer online shopping over conventional shopping because of its convenient and more economical approach.
Many consumers around the world like to shop online and purchase products or services from brands that are unavailable for purchase in their own countries. Additionally, direct online selling increases brand recognition and reach, making high ROI generation possible. Brands are no longer bound to their own geographical locations and consumers, they can now cater to international clients. Consumers, on the other hand, no longer see the need to board a plane so they could purchase products from another country.
Online shopping and selling have changed the Ecommerce industry in a way that benefits both brands and consumers. If you are interested to know more about online shopping and the reasons why a lot of people are hooked on it, read further.
What is Online Shopping?
Online shopping is known as the act of purchasing services or products on the Internet. It simply means going to a shopping site, choosing your desired product or service, and arranging for its delivery. You can pay for your purchase via a debit or credit card or upon delivery if the option is available. Online shopping is a significant part of E-Commerce or Electronic Commerce.
Online shopping takes place when you purchase something through digital platforms, such as Facebook Marketplaces, Instagram Live Selling, Shopify, Amazon, etc.
What is the Best Online Shopping Site?
With almost everything going digital, we can find a lot of online shopping sites all over the internet. To give you a glimpse of some of the best shopping sites, we have curated the top 7 online shopping sites for 2023 where you can shop for clothes, shoes, skincare products, health products, and a whole lot more.
Amazon
Initially a small online bookstore, this online retailer has become an E-Commerce giant. Amazon has evolved to become one of the world’s largest online shopping websites. The company sells millions of items from its own warehouse as well as from various sellers all over the world who can individually upload their products for sale.
With Amazon, you can search for the same product from different resellers and compare the best prices. Amazon is accessible via PC and mobile app. Best of all, Amazon Prime members can benefit from free shipping and other deals.
eBay
From providing supplements of PEZ collections to becoming the world’s biggest online auction website, eBay deserves this spot on our list. Similar to Amazon, you can find almost anything you are looking for in this online shopping website.
If you are looking for the best deals on collectibles, eBay is the site to visit. This giant online shopping site offers a wide range of products. And it also hands out gift guides for all seasons and superb Daily Deals. Its website is easy to navigate and you can filter products according to shipping fees, condition (whether brand new or used), and auctioned items vs Buy It Now deals. eBay is also the best place to put away all your usable but unwanted items.
Etsy
Etsy is the best marketplace for artist slash business owners who don’t want to spend extra on making their own website. This marketplace offers products crafted by different talented artisans around the globe. Anything from crystals, gems, homemade soaps, to yummy caramel apples can be found on Etsy. Plus, the deals are great!
If you love to create homemade craft and generate income on the side, you can definitely set up your personal Etsy storefront. Setting up is super easy and the site offers a huge exposure potential.
Zappos
Zappos initially started as an online shoe store. However, it has now expanded to become an online fashion website that offers a variety of products, such as apparels, handbags, and accessories. The online shopping site is popular for its wonderful customer service, owing to employees who go above and beyond to make sure that their customers’ needs are well tended to.
Like the first three websites above, you can access Zappos via your PC or its mobile app.
Wish
Wish is known as one of the best online shopping websites with the cheapest deals. If you are looking for interesting finds at relatively low prices, you might want to consider browsing through Wish. Some of the site’s categories include fashion, home decors, hobbies, shoes, gadgets, and toys.
Because it offers products at cheaper rates, you will definitely find yourself spending more time on this website. Hence, make sure to get the shop’s mobile app for a more convenient shopping experience.
Overstock
Ever wondered where excess products from stores go? Some go to Overstock. Overstock is an online shopping site with thousands of items under different categories, including furniture, apparel, kitchen needs, home decors, and outdoor materials. You can also experience a unique way to shop by filtering your search by room or style. You can likewise filter by price, shape, brand, material, features, finish, ratings, discount rates, and so much more.
Club O members have the privilege of staying on top of the best deals, offers, and prices. It also has an app where you can browse using your phone or tablet.
Reel Paper
Are you an environmentalist who vows to help mother nature in any way possible? If so, Reel Paper must be on top of your online shopping list to visit. Reel Paper is unlike the rest of the sites on this list. Nonetheless, it deserves a spot because anything that involves saving our ecosystem deserves to be highlighted. The goal and advocacy of Reel Paper are to help people maintain a sustainable lifestyle. This online shopping website sells paper towels and toilet paper made out of bamboo. Bamboo is biodegradable and grows faster than most trees, making it the primary material for Reel Paper’s products.
The website’s interface is classy and relatively easy to use. Since they only offer two product categories, you can shop by clicking either the “shop toilet paper” or “shop paper towel” buttons.
What is the Advantage of Online Shopping?
Most, if not all, of us, believe that online shopping has its fair share of advantages, otherwise, it won’t be as popular as it is today. Here are the top 8 benefits and advantages of online shopping services:
Convenience
Of course, online shopping is all about convenience. Convenience is its biggest perk, and we’re falling for it. Where else can you shop in the comfort of your own home while still in your jammies? There are no long queues or nasty cashiers who feel as if they have the worst job in the world (don’t get us wrong, we love our cashiers but there are a few ones who can really break our day).
Online shops allow us to fill in our shopping carts 24/7 without enduring road traffic, and our purchases will be delivered right in front of our doorstep. If online shopping weren’t so convenient, then it wouldn’t be as revolutionary.
More Options
The variety of online products to choose from is amazing! You can find almost anything anywhere. Want to shop from one store to another? You can do so in minutes time.
The best part is you can shop for international products without having to spend on airfare. You can shop from brands from all over the world instead of being limited to the shops in your location. With online shopping, you have more options to choose from so you don’t have to worry about running out of items.
Great Prices
Most online shopping sites offer cheaper prices and deals compared to brick-and-mortar stores because they can directly ship the products to you without involving middlemen or having to worry about other expenses, such as rent. Most online shops also offer discounts, coupons, and rebates, especially for membership buying.
Aside from better prices, you can also save a lot on tax because online shops are only obligated to collect sales tax if they have a brick-and-mortar or physical store. Add in the saved expenses from getting gas or parking fees, so you really can save bucks by shopping online.
Easy Gifting
Sending gifts to your loved ones is made easy with online shopping, even if you are oceans apart from each other. The packaging and shipping are done for you; all you have to do is make sure that you placed in the right order. Some shops even offer giftwrapping services.
Today, distance is not an excuse to miss out on giving gifts during special occasions like weddings, birthdays, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, etc. Fortunately, most online shops offer seasonal discounts.
Controlled Spending
The urge to buy impulsively is so strong when we stroll around shopping malls. We tend to spend more and end up buying products that aren’t exactly what we were looking for. Sometimes, it can be embarrassing to return the products on our carts back to the shelves, so we end up buying them.
With online shopping, you have all the time to think and rethink whether you need to spend money on a particular purchase. You are not bound by time because the shop’s never closing and there isn’t anyone tailing you as you shop, so you don’t have to feel pressured to buy the products right away.
Price Comparisons
Comparing prices is so much easier when done online. In addition, you can read various reviews coming from different consumers, especially before purchasing major items like home appliances or furniture. Comparing prices in-store can cause hassle and stress because you must gather all the brands of the product that you want to buy, and compare the best deals.
But when you purchase online, comparing prices won’t take much time since some websites are made for the purpose of comparing different products in terms of price and quality.
Zero Crowd
Shopping in a crowded place can be draining and troublesome, particularly during the holidays. A huge chunk of your day will be wasted when shopping in a crowded store. Fortunately, you can beat the crowd traffic by staying at home and shopping online.
If you have zero tolerance for huge crowds or fighting for a parking spot, then we suggest that you skip the malls and shop online instead for a completely hassle-free experience.
Discreet Purchases
Some things are best purchased in secret, and the most discreet method of buying these things is online shopping. You can send the seller a note to conceal your purchase properly to avoid being recognized by the delivery personnel or anyone who will claim the package in case you aren’t around.
Online shopping allows you to purchase undergarments, lingerie, and other sensual items without the paranoia of being judged or watched by people.
Online Shopping benefits all
While most prominent brands have shopping websites, a lot of small brands are also trying to gain recognition through online marketing and selling. Hence, online selling and shopping are advantageous to everybody—big and small brands, and all consumers. Online shopping is a crowd favorite, and we don’t see an end to this craze yet.
If you are a brand owner who wants to collaborate with influencers for your online shop’s influencer marketing campaign, you may check out our Modash review and Influencer.fm review.
BuzzGuru
inBeat
Capssion
Modash
Qoruz