Online shopping is a form of electronic commerce which allows consumers to directly buy goods or services from a seller over the Internet using a web browser or a mobile app. Consumers find a product of interest by visiting the website directly or by searching among alternative vendors. As of 2020, customers can shop online using a range of different computers and devices.
The first World Wide Web server and browser was opened for commercial use in 1991. The first secure retail transaction over the Web was either by NetMarket or Internet Shopping Network in 1994. Immediately after, Amazon.com launched its online shopping site in 1995 and eBay was also introduced in 1995.
Online customers must have access to the Internet and a valid method of payment in order to complete a transaction. Once a particular product has been found on the website of the seller, most online retailers use shopping cart software to allow the consumer to accumulate multiple items and to adjust quantities. A “checkout” process follows in which payment and delivery information is collected, if necessary. Commonly, a credit card or a Paypal account is used in order to make payments.
Among the most important online shopping sites we can find above all Amazon, Zalando, eBay, aliexpress, Shein. Each site offers different categories for you to buy all kinds of things. Starting from clothing, shoes, bags and arriving at food, furnishings, appliances, electronics of all kinds, tricks, games … from the most unlikely things to the things we use every day. In fact, we can say that now everything is just a “Click!”.
One cannot fail to mention the most important US trading company. Amazon, founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994, is in fact the largest internet company in the world. It started as an online bookstore but soon expanded the range of products sold to diversify its activities. Given the success, he began to create other sites in different countries, shipping his products all over the world.