The rate of online shopping has grown exponentially in the last few years, and has become the norm for many people the world over when it comes to purchasing the products and services they use in their everyday lives. But not everyone is sold on the concept that online shopping is easier than in-store shopping. If you are one of these people, examining the drawbacks and benefits of using an online payment solution to make your purchases might help you decide if shopping via the internet is for you or not.

Drawbacks

• Some technological know-how is required. If you want to shop online with the least amount of problems, you will have to possess some computer and internet basics, such as how to use a computer and the internet (chances are that you have this ability if you are reading this article), how to search for and compare stores and the products they sell, and how to complete a transaction with an online payment solution. Not having these simple skills can make the whole process long, tedious and more effort than it’s worth.

• The perceived or actual risk of getting hacked. Wherever there exists the request for personal and financial information (like on e-commerce websites), there also may lurk hackers looking for ways to get at this information. The aim of this article is not to scare you away from online shopping, but to let you know that there are inherent threats that you should know about so that you can make a more informed choice.

• You usually have to open an account. Just about every online shop will ask you to open an account with them. If they are using a third-party online payment solution, then you will have to open an account with that company as well. The purpose of this is not to make online payments tiring and annoying, but to make your subsequent payments instant and easy.

• No human contact. This can be seen as both a drawback and a benefit, depending on the kind of person you are and how you feel about the task of shopping. Though as a drawback, you will have to be fairly independent when shopping and paying for your product online, so you will be expected to be at least minimally technologically-able.

Benefits

• Convenience. You can shop and pay for your products from the comfort of your home, in your pajamas, with a steaming cup of tea or coffee at your side with the help of an online payment solution. You don’t have to spend hours running from store to store to find the best deal as you can do this in minutes from your desktop, laptop, smart phone or tablet. You also don’t have to deal with teenaged mallrats with nothing better to do but loiter and sip overpriced iced coffees.

• Speed. Searching for and comparing products, and paying for them can take under an hour, depending on what you’re looking for. No longer will you have to dedicate entire weekend days to your shopping excursions. This can free up a lot of your time.

• Security. Despite the risk of fraud and theft, you can shop online very safely if you use your common sense. Many reputable e-commerce sites and their online payment solutions can make your shopping experience as secure as an in-store one. Just take a little time to read reviews about the merchant and their products.

• Flexibility. You can pay for products through an online payment solution with credit card, debit card or e-wallet, whichever is most convenient for you.