The U.S. recession has had many effects on the lifestyle and economy of Americans, but polls show that one area that continues to thrive is online commerce. That spells good news for entrepreneurs who often rely on a website to generate a large portion of their income either through direct sales or online advertising.
While many brick and mortar businesses are closing their doors, companies that are flexible enough to appeal to the population of online shoppers are thriving. This is due in part to the popularity of social media networks like Facebook and Twitter.
A study conducted by Knowledge Networks in March of 2009 discovered that 10% to 24% of U.S. social media users utilized social networks when making purchase decisions about a wide range of products and services. (eMarketer, October 2009)
Online shopping remains popular for many reasons. For some consumers, shopping online helps them resist the urge to purchase extra items they do not need. The temptation to buy those shoes that are sale is removed with online shopping. In addition, many online shopping companies include free shipping and expedited orders, which significantly offsets the cost of driving to the department store for a single item.
According to the Nielson statistics company, the highest percentage of shopping online is found in:
- South Korea (99%)
- UK (97%)
- Germany (97%)
- Japan (97%)
- US (94%)
Entrepreneurs who take advantage of online shopping trends are utilizing online shopping trends to the fullest extend by catering to this hearty group of consumers.
