E-commerce can be a great way for small businesses to increase their sales and expand their reach. It’s also convenient for consumers, who can shop at their convenience, without having to leave their homes or spend the day fighting in queues at the mall to pick up the best deals. However, e-commerce also has negative effects for both consumers and retailers that need to be considered before launching an online store.
Privacy
It’s easy to collect a lot of personal information from a consumer using an e-commerce website, sometimes all too easy. Since all online transactions are recorded, it’s relatively easy to create a buyer’s online profile and use it to send targeted ads. However, many will agree that this is an intrusion on the consumer’s right to privacy and is something that is heavily regulated in many countries. This means that small businesses looking to establish an online presence through e-commerce need to be aware of the applicable laws, as mistakes can be costly both in terms of fines and customer trust.
Security
Another negative effect of electronic commerce is its effect on consumer safety. Online transactions are inherently more insecure than those made in person because there is no way to guarantee that the person making the payment is the actual owner of the credit card used. At the same time, when the customer enters the payment information, they run the risk of being intercepted by a third party if the website does not comply with adequate security measures, leading to credit card fraud and identity theft. Merchants must be aware of the risks involved in electronic transactions and work to secure systems to the highest standards.
price wars
Merchants used to selling in their store can often find selling online an extremely competitive market. Their products are displayed alongside competitive offers, often from different countries or from larger retailers with access to better wholesale prices. This can negatively affect the retailer as they are unable to sell as much as expected to make a profit, or the consumer when online stores cut corners to be more competitive or products are bought from illegitimate retailers because they were the best price.
Returns and Claims
Selling online usually means a higher product return rate than when the purchase was made in person. This is partly due to the fact that customers have not seen the products in person before purchasing, but also because many online shoppers buy things on impulse, and when they receive them at home they have changed their minds. and make use of favorable return policies. While a large retailer would have no problem adjusting to this, it can be very disruptive for a small business with limited stock management.