It’s no secret online shopping plays a significant role in millennial’s lives. We cannot deny the fact that online shopping has earned itself. Not only has it altered our lives immensely, but it has also changed continuously to suit us and our changing needs. Let’s take a look at how online shopping has evolved over the years.
Better interface
The user interface of online shopping websites has undergone a sea of change from the clunky rudimentary look to the modern, sophisticated look and much better customization options than ever before. This has resulted in smarter shopping websites and a higher user-friendliness that has developed over the years. The older sites were not much of a pleasure to the eyes, neither were they high on the user’s experience scale. Better menus and more specific options have resulted in a rapid growth of customer base over the last few years.
More options
The early days of online shopping were somewhat restricted. With only a few shopping portals and few varieties, one was severely limited in choice. But with more websites jostling to outdo one another, today the options are almost unlimited. There are tons of places, sellers, colors, sizes, etc. that one can pick from. As these websites are all competing do their best, the customers are now faced with a plethora of options to choose from.
Niche options
There was barely any choice for niche markets such as specific gadgets, clothing, fandom merchandise, etc. online in the early days of shopping websites. But as the demands have increased, there are plenty of outstanding niche options for any kind of need that a customer might have. Right from particular fandoms to a specific technical field, one can find almost anything on some shopping websites.
Better payment scenario
Probably one of the most significant challenges that were faced by online shopping websites was the lack of a stable payment situation. Payment failure and subsequent complaints were a regular fare that they had to battle every day. Now with better payment gateways and more stable internet connection, the rate of success of payments has improved exponentially. Even in cases of failed transactions, refunds are much easier and faster, leading to happier customers. Security systems are regularly updated to ensure maximum financial security.
Better customer care
Customer care and post-sale facilities have improved immensely over time. Better internet, cheaper phones, higher demand, and competition has ensured that these shopping websites gear up to satisfy their customers better since they have plenty of options at hand now. With call centers and prompt complaint redressal systems in place, customers are offered much better service even after a sale has been made.
Less fakes
A huge problem that people used to face was the issue of counterfeit products or cheating sellers. With time and experience, websites have geared up to combat this issue with an iron hand. They have now implemented better security systems and stringent rules. Now sellers have to pass through a set of strict regulations to qualify to sell. There are also several verification tags offered by shopping websites to guide their customers and to help them choose genuine sellers. For example, if the buyer is buying real diamond jewelry online, getting better value for money is possible. Shopping online certainly gives you significantly better choices and quality. On top of that, prices do not come with excessive premiums that brick and mortar stores pass on to you.
As our tastes, needs and demands are changing, online shopping portals are also continually adapting new things to cater to use better. While our previous generations have been a part of this evolution as well, millennials have seen the popular online shopping portals gradually grow with them!
