Online shopping vs. Traditional Shopping?
Online shopping is the process of buying goods and services from merchants over the Internet. Since the emergence of the World Wide Web, merchants have sought to sell their products to people who spend time online. Shoppers can visit web stores from the comfort of their homes and shop as they sit in front of the computer. Consumers can buy a huge variety of items from online stores, and just about anything can be purchased from companies that provide their products online. Books, clothing, household appliances, toys, hardware, software, and health insurance are just some of the hundreds of products consumers can buy from an online store. Many people choose to shop online because of the convenience. For example, when a person shops at a brick-and-mortar store, she has to drive to the store, find a parking place, and walk throughout the store until she locates the products she needs. After finding the items she wants to purchase, she may often need to stand in long lines at the cash register. In contrast, online shopping helps consumers avoid these disadvantages. A person only has to log onto the Internet, visit the store's website, and choose the items she desires. The items are held in a virtual shopping cart until she is ready to make her purchase. The shopper can remain in her pajamas as she does her shopping, and the process can be conducted in the wee hours of the morning or late into the night. Online stores almost never close.
What is Paypal and why do some people prefer it while shopping over the internet?
~What is Paypal? Basically, Paypal serves as a mediator between buyer and seller during online purchases. It is most commonly used with Ebay, but is available on other websites as well. What you do is create a free account, and link your account to either a checking account, debit card, or credit card. When you buy something online and checkout through Paypal, Paypal will then take the money out of your account, and send it to the person who is selling the item you wish to purchase. Why all the hassle, you may wonder? It's a secure way to pay. Only Paypal (a known and trusted site used by millions) gets to see your debit/credit/banking information, so you can buy online without giving out your financial information. Also, Paypal offers "Buyer Protection." If the seller tries to con you, you can file a dispute with Paypal and get a refund (like if the seller never sends the item, or the item isn't in the condition that they said it would be in). Also - this service is free for buyers, though sellers do have to pay a fee to Paypal. ~Should you get it? I would recommend it. I have been using it for around 5 years now, and have never had a problem with the service. ~How is it better than a credit card? As you can see from my answer above, it's just more secure than using a card online. It prevents you from having to give your card information to every online merchant that you wish to make a payment from. ~Will everyone use it for online purchases in the future? I can't say for certain, but I do know that is currently gaining in popularity. I don't think it will ever be the only way to pay online, but I do see it being available on most online shopping sites.