The Internet today has changed many people's lives. It made their lives simple and easy , comfortable. So comfortable that almost anything can be done online – socialization, work, pay bills and shop without leaving their homes. Above all, one activity is completed on the internet which is online shopping keeps growing tremendously. A recent study in the US alone found out that nearly half of the population is purchasing online. This is because a number of people have discovered the advantages of online shopping. Convenience This is but one reason why people enjoy to shop online. Shopping on the web allows consumers to buy at the ease of their own home. People who have disabilities, ill or those who are too busy to venture to stores could purchase what they desire online. Imagine how crowded shopping centers are during holidays or weekends. Shopping online can avoid crowds that make people irritated waiting and falling in line only to pay for those things that they have just bought. And problems finding a parking place could be eliminated. It is quite convenient because consumers can shop anytime for the day without worrying about store hours. Online shopping gives consumers the ability to shop at a time that's convenient for the kids. Moreover, online shopping makes it easier to transmit gifts to relatives, friends and loved ones since most internet shopping websites offer fast and reliable shipping options. It's a fantastic way to surprise family members too. Accessibility Anyone having an internet access can just log and can look and buy items they want no matter where in world these are. No need to spend your time and energy to venture to stores that are too far just to buy items they want. Through online shopping, people can shop overseas without even traveling. Affordability Shopping online can save money from travel expenses, food, and impulsive shopping. Used or old stock items could be easily aquired online which are much cheaper such as books and furniture. Sometimes is it is even tax-free. Those online stores that don't possess a physical store in most state do not have sales tax. Best Buy Easy usage of the product's information provides consumers better choices. Aside from your information which is available at the online store, consumers can easily search the web for more information. Moreover, they are able to look for the product reviews and ratings which are the great help the consumers to make wise decisions. Aside through the information, product critiques and ratings, internet shopping gives consumers a variety of choices. Going to traditional stores usually, limit the choices of consumers which force them to buy things which they don't love. Confidentiality There are things people are interested to buy in private. Items including adult toys, sexy lingerie etc, through internet shopping consumers are capable of doing discreet purchases. Even with your advantages of online shopping, lots of people still don't trust online shopping for security reasons. However, you can find simple solutions with this problem. Shop Online Securely Find out with regards to a merchant at its website. Look for guarantees, warranties and return information. Look for online stores that have symbols like unbroken lock or key, URL that starts off with HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure and sites which may have SSL or “Secure Socket Layer”, which means that the consumers along with the merchants can only view the payment information. Look with the privacy statements to find out how the consumer's personal information will be used. Reliable merchants always choose this information easily obtainable to the consumers. Always pay purchases having a credit card, check card or PayPal. Always keep records of transactions. If it is possible, have always them printed. There a large number of advantages of shopping online that attracts consumers to shop online – convenience, accessibility, affordability, best buy and confidentiality. However, you'll find few consumers who don't trust shopping on the web. On the other hand, using these simple techniques to purchase online securely, consumers can enjoy the great benefits of shopping online and be satisfied.