Online goods & services

Online goods & services

1. Online shopping

   • Features
     • Facilities to sort & search for goods
     • Images provided of products
     • 24/7 availability
     • Comparison of prices
     • Customer reviews
     • Bookable delivery service
   • Advantages
     • Greater choice
     • Shop 24/7
     • Compare prices
     • Don't have to leave the house
     • Return goods within 7 days of delivery unless customised
     • Product reviews
   • Disadvantages
     • Need Internet access
     • Cannot pay with cash
     • Can't see or touch products
     • Pay for delivery
     • Fill in personal info online
     • Risks - fraud or fake websites

2. Online auctions

   • Features
     • Search for items
     • Users rate each other
     • Sellers can choose to make an item available for purchase immediately
     • Secure payment
     • Changes can be made before schedule end time
     • See status of bid
   • Benefits
     • Ability to search easily for goods
     • Community of trusted users offering ratings feedback
     • Third party options for secure payment
     • Competition leads to low prices

3. How and why organisations operate online

   • Disadvantages
     • Skilled staff needed to develop & maintain website
     • Online payment security
     • Need delivery & returns service
     • Customer limited to those with Internet
     • High shop suffers as online may be cheaper
   • Advantages
     • No need to distribute goods to shops
     • Easy to make changes to products & prices
     • Customers only need Internet & means of paying electronically
     • Inexpensive way to reach new markets
     • Minimal start up time & investment needed
     • Organisation can be located wherever it likes