It's hard to believe that a mere fifteen years ago, we had no idea what the Internet was, let alone have an inkling of how it would change our lives. But now, as we enter the "golden era" of Web 2.0, a lot has changed - especially in terms of the online shopping experience.
It's hard to believe that a mere fifteen years ago, we had no idea what the Internet was, let alone have an inkling of how it would change our lives. But now, as we enter the "golden era" of Web 2.0, a lot has changed - especially in terms of the online shopping experience.
Here's a look at how online shopping for deals has changed over the past decade.
Online Security
Security THEN: We all quaked with fear every time we entered our credit card online to make a purchase. Some of this fear was unfounded, but some of it was well-placed as hackers moved in and out of consumer sites with ease, causing identity theft to skyrocket and leaving individuals to answer for millions of dollars worth of unauthorized charges.
Security NOW: The ability of online businesses to protect their customers has increased dramatically in the past several years. Now, site encryption is more advanced and the systems are tested under more rigorous conditions than ever before.
Customer Service and Support
Customer Support THEN: One of the biggest problems with e-commerce 1.0 was the utter lack of customer support. Basically, it came down to selecting your product, clicking the "order" button and then praying it would make it you within the month. If something went wrong, there was a good chance that the company itself had NO infrastructure to handle complaints.
Customer Support NOW: Somewhere on the road from Web 1.0 to 2.0, companies online retailers realized that if they wanted to stick around for the long haul they would need actual people available by phone to help their customers with any potential issues with their order.
Selection
Selection THEN: Just because you saw a product online didn't necessarily mean that it was in stock - or that the company selling it was even in business for that matter! Plus, there were few businesses that had made the leap online - and those that had were only offering a smattering of their available SKUs to the web customers.
Selection Now: Complex back-end inventory systems can let customers know whether or not the item they are seeing on screen is actually in stock. Plus, companies have come to realize the importance of placing their entire stock online at all times.
Finding the Best Deals
Finding the Best Deals THEN: During the first web boom, the deals were there - but they were so steep and outrageous that the companies offering them soon folded under the cost of their own customer acquisitions.
Finding the Best Deals NOW: With more selection than ever before, and the rise of deal-of-the-day web sites that offer even more savings on overstocked, but high quality products, there is now NO better place than the Internet for finding the best deals in the world.
Is it still a good time to buy a luxury watch?
With 401(k) losing their value and stocks plummeting like a malfunctioning rollercoaster the last thing on most people's minds is deciding whether or not to invest in a luxury timepiece. However, history of this unique collectible category has proven that fine watches are a resilient, timeless investment - even in difficult markets such as the one we are currently experiencing.
Navigating Economic Downturns with Strategic Online Marketing
In the face of economic downturns, businesses are grappling with reduced revenues and tighter budgets. However, it's during these challenging periods that strategic online marketing becomes a lifeline, offering a cost-effective and efficient way to connect with customers and stay competitive. With marketing budgets under scrutiny, leveraging the internet's vast reach has never been more critical for businesses aiming to thrive amidst financial constraints.
The Inner Workings of a Deposition
A deposition is a critical pre-trial procedure in civil litigation where attorneys question a witness under oath. The testimony is recorded for future reference and can play a pivotal role in the outcome of the case. This process not only preserves testimony but also aids in the discovery of evidence, allowing attorneys to prepare for trial effectively.
