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Since the beginning of the Internet, products and services have been available online.
Initially met with some skepticism by shoppers, online buying has risen in a steady
fashion over the years. A consumer can find anything from movie posters to an electrician
on the Web. Why are so many customers shopping for goods and services online? It is
convenient, and more consumers are finding it is a smart way to shop.
Revenues for online purchases have grown from $7.4 billion in the third quarter of 2000
to $34.7 billion in the third quarter of 2007.
93% of Internet users have done something related to e-commerce. This means they have
either made a purchase or used the Web to research an impending purchase.
On a given day, 26% of Web users are doing something online related to e-commerce.
It is convenient – Is it easier to go out and search for goods and services, or stay at
home and shop at one’s leisure? Most people side with the latter situation. Shopping
online is convenient; it can be done when the consumer feels like it.
Two-thirds of online Americans reported they have purchased a product or service online.
78% of Web users agree or strongly agree that the Internet is a convenient way to shop.
22% of Americans reported they made a purchase online in 2000. That number grew to 49% in
September of 2007.
Research – The Web hosts a wealth of information, as well as goods and services. A consumer
can research a product or service before beginning to shop. The Internet is conducive to
'smart shopping.'
35% of Americans reported using the Web to conduct research in order to make a product or
service purchase in 2000. That number grew to 60% in September of 2007.
Source: John B. Horrigan. Online Shopping. Washinton, DC: Pew Internet & American Life
Project, February 2008.
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