Why? Beyond being remarkably cheap, I have whatever amount of time I like to consider my possible purchases, it is easy to compare products and prices, the range is near endless and although the face-to-face contact is missing, the service is spectacular.
The benefits of shopping online are massive and to combat them, local traders need to consider what it is they do, upgrade every aspect of their service and make the most of what they are, local.My online shopping begins with research that takes me to “stores” primarily in Great Britain and America and from those two places I can usually find what it is I’m searching for.
Many things I go online to buy are not items I would expect local stores to stock and being aware of that, I understand that it would be necessary to order it.It is right there that the local trader hits their first hurdle. Ordering something is not an issue, but I would like to know it has actually happened and have some written acknowledgement of that action, exactly what I get when I shop online.
Besides having my order confirmed online, I’m then told when it has been dispatched from the warehouse and depending on what level of freight I’ve paid for, when I can expect it to arrive.
Secondhand books (above right) are an interest of mine and locally, and that is wherever I happen to be, I’m mostly simply directed to the area of interest to be confronted by a mass of books.
Searching through the books can be interesting in itself, but online I simply type in the title and I’m given a range to consider ranging from ex-library books to never read near-new books or, if I’m looking for something special, I’m able to consider “collector’s” books.
The local trader has the huge advantage of being just that, “local” and should exercise that edge to cater for customers’ specific needs and add to their business the things that attract people to online shopping – service (and more service), price and range.
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