With the Internet, going through your daily activities has become a lot easier. Most of the time, people no longer have to leave their homes to get tasks done. This, however, is not the only impact Internet has on how people do their daily activities, especially in terms of their buying habits.
Who are Today’s Consumers?
Chevron Renaissance, a leading shopping destination in Surfers Paradise, believe that today’s consumers are quite different from the buyers of yesterday:
1. They are more knowledgeable.
Because the Internet is able to provide them with all the information they need, consumers are now more discerning than they used to be. Apart from picking your staff’s brain about the different salient points a product has, these consumers are now more likely to have consulted your competition even before they visit your shop.
2. Opinions can, sometimes, overcome the facts.
Before, word-of-mouth from previous clients can change a consumers mind about buying a certain product. Bad reviews, however, are typically taken with a grain of salt. Today, however, a couple of bad reviews online can make or break your business, making it even more important to take care of your reputation online.
3. Perceptions can become distorted.
Customers tend to be more demanding now than they used to be. What they see online should match what your store has on its shelves. Any slight variation in the shade, size or shape can turn off a potential client.
4. An online store can drive business to your doorsteps.
Before, you only had to rely on advertisements and flyers to market your business. Today, however, you only need a website to let the world know what you have to offer. Apart from being more cost-effective, online sites are also considered more practical. But, building a website is not the end. If you want to take things a bit further, you need a website that is also suited for mobile devices. It also has to be well-optimised to reach your target audience.
Advancements in technology are changing both online and offline shopping. As these shopping experiences blur, forward-thinking retailers are given the opportunity to come up with innovative ways to make shopping a more exciting activity.