Online Shopping vs. Traditional Shopping It seems more and more people are shopping solely online, the accessibility and convenience is just too hard to deny. More and more formerly bustling malls are becoming deserted ghost towns. There are advantages and disadvantages to both types of shopping, it really depends on which aspects are more important to you and what works best for your lifestyle. I personally prefer shopping online for its convenience and the wider ability to price compare. There are still many things about traditional shopping that are appealing, however, such as being able to try items of clothing on and to see the item before purchasing. Shopping online can be very convenient, there’s no need to get in your car, drive to a store or the mall, park and walk around looking for what you need. Some people enjoy the act of shopping, and for them it can be more about the social aspect of it than what can be the tedious act of searching for something they need. You are able to do a wider variety of price comparisons by shopping online, with a few clicks of your computer mouse you can not only find what you’re looking for, you can compare prices from hundreds of stores around the globe. In traditional shopping you would have to search different stores to be able to do the price comparing you can do online. One of the downfalls of online shopping is the inability to possess the item or product immediately. If you need something to use or wear within the next couple days than online shopping probably won’t be the best option for you. When you order products online they have to be shipped to you, which can take 2-10 days, generally speaking. I do however enjoy things arriving directly to my house, right on my doorstep, so if I can think about things ahead of time I really do benefit from shopping online and having the item arrive directly to my house. When it comes to seeing, touching, and trying out a new product, there is no substitute for actually going to the mall and examining the item in person. You cannot always tell what the merchandise is really like by seeing a picture of it on the internet. The color may be somewhat different online than it appears in real life. The exact size and proper fit may be critical when it comes to clothing. On the other hand, if you want to buy a product that you have already used and are familiar with, the hands-on experience may not be so important. As I’ve explained there can be advantages and drawbacks to both online shopping as well as traditional “brick-and-mortar” shopping. I think the ultimate choice comes down to what works for your lifestyle. Some people work all day and don’t spend a lot of time near a computer so it’s easier and more appealing to buy things at a store. For others, like myself, it tends to be much easier to buy thing online. I think, all in all, most people opt for a blend of both shopping methods, depending on the situation.