Online shopping increases the likelihood of compulsive buying. People with this disorder are more likely to purchase items they do not need or cannot afford. The absence of shopping can cause anxiety and depression in people with this disorder. They search the internet constantly for the latest discounts and products that interest them, and if they come across something worthwhile, they shop.
The risk of overspending when shopping online is high since, physically, we do not feel the payment and hesitate less on a purchase. It is estimated that the average person spends between 2-3 thousand dollars annually on unnecessary purchases. Increasing internet shopping will increase this number over the next few years.
Many reasons can be attributed to the addictive nature of online shopping.
Easy-to-use shopping whenever you want
It is convenient to shop online, no matter what you need. The process of purchasing something online is very simple. You only need to click a few buttons to add items to your shopping cart, complete the payment, and you are done. There is no need to leave the house, find parking or wait in line at the store. Additionally, you can shop 24/7 without having to get up. Shopping online has become even more convenient with mobile devices. It is possible to buy virtually anywhere.
The advantages of these features are especially noticeable for those who are very busy, like me. I have no use for shopping when I can get everything I need without spending time in stores. We like this convenience, which is why using it becomes addictive.
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Our shopping can be conducted anonymously
Several people find online shopping attractive because it is anonymous. They no longer have to deal with salesmen or embarrassment. No one can see you or judge your choices when you shop online.
Sometimes we make limits during our purchases because of other people. For example, we may feel a little ashamed when we want to buy luxurious stuff that we cannot afford and ask about the payment in installments. That may stop us from spending. On the internet, there is no such control as in real life.
The best deals, bargains, and savings
The desire to save money is a natural one. Saving money is not a problem if you choose the right items to save on. However, in many cases, we spend on items we do not really need, just because they are on sale. It is very tempting to purchase another gadget when it is on sale for 30%, regardless of whether we already possess one that works properly.
Deals have the disadvantage that the customers are not interested in the product in most cases, but the lower price makes the product seem more desirable.
It’s no secret that online shops use a variety of tactics to lure customers into spending more. Webshops offer sales and discounts to increase profits and place items near the checkout. They have a wide range of tactics to maximize their earnings online, which is pretty easy using analytics software.
The sales potential of online stores is extremely high
Conversion optimization is crucial for online stores to increase sales and retain customers. Listed below are some tactics they use to improve their conversion rates.
The website should be easy to navigate. The layout should be simple and easy to understand, and the buttons and links should be easy to click. This means when a potential buyer lands at the store, he has no time for hesitation. Nothing disrupts the process of shopping online.
The website should be fast loading. A slow-loading website will frustrate customers and cause them to leave the site. In a rushing world, who wants to wait? But this also means that the potential buyer has no time to consider his purchase.
They use clear and concise call-to-action buttons. The customers should not guess what to do. The sites tell them what they want them to do with clear and concise instructions. That means you click on those buttons without even being conscious about it.
They use high-quality images on product pages. This makes the products much more tempting, even if they do not have promoted features.
All these tricks lead to a better online user experience, but in the end, the customer spends more without knowing it.
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A major benefit of online shopping is the immediate satisfaction of buyers
People get euphoric when they shop online, called the “buyer’s high.” Dopamine, a neurotransmitter responsible for pleasure and addiction, is believed to cause this feeling.
Online shoppers often report feeling excited and happy after shopping. It is believed that the anonymity and convenience of web shopping and the ability to find good deals contribute to this feeling.
Sometimes, people can’t resist buying things they don’t need or can’t afford because they are hooked on the buyer’s high. The result can sometimes be financial problems and bankruptcy.
We are bombarded with targeted advertisements
Have you ever experienced the feeling of being followed around the web by advertisements that relate to your search after searching for something on Google or Facebook? Advertisers are increasingly using techniques such as retargeting to follow us around the web. We may see their advertisements repeatedly even if we are no longer interested in their product. Some people find this type of advertising intrusive and overwhelming. Others may feel that advertisers are stalking them.
But, statistics show that this type of advertising works very effectively. It manipulates the brain so skillfully that, in the end, we are highly likely to buy the product.
To increase sales, website owners do everything possible, including offering you something for free in exchange for your email address. You then receive a variety of emails promoting their products and deals.
In summary, the Internet is full of tactics persuading us to purchase.
The payment process is too convenient
Payments are so easy online. We just need a credit card or any other online payment service. But, we pay for our convenience because using a credit card increases our likelihood of overspending. It gives the illusion of buying power. Even if we know our account balance, it is not the same when we have cash on us, and we need to give away the notes. Credit cards also make it easier to forget how much money we’re spending. This is because we do not have to actually hand over cash.
To sum up
In summary, as you can see, the entire online shopping system is designed to maximize sales potential. A variety of techniques are used to encourage customers to purchase more goods. It is possible to resist the offers and stop spending too much if you know the tricks behind the system. Although online stores are useful, we should be careful not to become compulsive buyers.