A research says that in 2017, the US mobile users will make a purchase of around $90 billion via mobile e-commerce apps. As per the prediction, mobile commerce will take a leap of 48% compared to 2012.
E-commerce is now an old word. Everyone knows about it. E-commerce started with the invention of desktops and internet. But M-commerce started with the invention of smart phones. So business people started providing their product details on mobile websites also. Companies launched their online shopping applications for mobile. Customers started buying from these mobile websites and apps. Thus mobile commerce came into the business world.
Anywhere-Anytime
A customer always keeps his smart phone with him whether it is day or night, whether he is in the US or Russia. This is a big advantage of online shopping through mobile phones via e-commerce apps. Company can offer variety of products to the customers in different ways through SMS, alerts, emails etc. For example a brand wants to pop up notification regarding a new arrival of a brand which customer searches many times. If shopping happens though desktops/laptops only, then notification can be seen once customer opens his laptop. But with mobile phones, notification can be seen immediately and customer gets prompted to have a look at what new thing company offers.
Good discounts
Some companies provide a good amount of discount to the mobile e-commerce app users. So that customer stick to thecompany and opts for more purchase.
Cost effective and time saving
Consumers can order from anywhere without reaching out to store and get it delivered at home. For example a person is travelling and expecting return on the same day of his child’s birthday. So he can order from wherever he is and get it collected on the returning day. Thus much amount of time, money and energy is saved!
User friendly interfaces
You don’t need to be mobile phone expert to use it. Those who doesn’t know about how to work on computer, they also can make a purchase through smart phones. The mobile app development has revolutionized the entire shopping experience. Smart phone apps come with such user friendly interfaces that it becomes easy for anyone to shop. No need to type anything, one touch can drive you towards your destination. Scannable QR codes are also in market, once you scan it through smart phone, whole product information appears in front of you.
Better sharing
People share new arrivals of products, discounts, deals and offers through social media. And mobile phones make this thing better. Once a person shares some information about a product from his mobile phone, this information goes viral within some hours and chances of that product being sold increases a lot.
Better search options
Again like better sharing, search options are also better with smart phones. There are so many local search directories like yellow pages who provides their mobile application. So customer can search about almost everything from anywhere.
Desktop Ecommerce still survives well
Screen size matters
Desktop provides big screen compared to a smart phone. So product visibility increases. On desktops/laptops customer can have a better view of a product. At the same time, one can view more products in desktops, compare and make decision easily. Whereas in smart phones, customers would have to navigate more and more to reach to his/her desired product.
Habit of years
Many customers like old ways and they take good amount of time to switch to new technology. They like to be in their comfort zone. Here in this case, it is e-commerce apps. Mobile commerce is in its establishing state, so customer is not completely aware of it. Thus the hardcore desktop users prefer less shopping through mobile phones.
Safety concerns
As stated above, Mobile commerce is in its establishing state. Risk factor is more here. The payment gateways are not that secured as compared to desktops. Smart phone internet is basically wireless, so chances of hacking increases in this case. Of course, work is in progress in this direction. Mobile phone payment gateways are being better and better. But here desktop wins.
M-commerce requires Wi-Fi or at least 3G network
Again, network is an issue. Outside place, Smart phone users has to opt for at least 3G network. Customer has to bare an extra cost of this 3G/4G networks. If high speed connectivity of internet is not available, online shopping experience on smart phone becomes nightmare.
Battery usage issues
As everyone knows that smart phone comes with limitation of battery usage. In remote areas, where charging of a smart phone is an issue, then customer has to stop purchase in between.
Summary
Study says that More than 50% of smart phone users pick their phones immediately after waking up. So either you prefer it or not but Mobile commerce is growing and penetrating at a very faster rate. In future, scenario would be such that if you are not in M-commerce, you are not in market.
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