• Convenience, broader selection, global choice, better information, time saving, lower prices, rapid response time to needs, customization, personalized products and services, quality of service, new products and services, global choice, benefits from spiraling competition among internet retailers. 

  Convenience

• Shopping on the Internet can save time. A consumer does not have to travel to a store site or adjust his schedule around the store’s hours. No longer does a consumer have to wait on hold for a customer service representative to answer the phone

• Without leaving home or an office, consumers can access thousands of Web sites to become informed about breaking news and events, research products, and purchase everything from groceries to books to insurance policies

• Opportunity to find speciality items not readily available in ordinary retail outlets

   Global choice

• Shopping is no longer limited to the stores within a reasonable driving or walking distance or to the catalogues they receive in the mail. Online, customers can shop at stores in other states or in other countries

• Access to a fuller range of information about product availability and pricing

• Busy consumers can save time and find shopping more convenient as merchants serve their needs individually

   Lower prices

• Some Internet retailers offer discounts from traditional channels (online booksellers, buying and selling stocks through the Internet, users can access most online news and information free of charge. This element is of greatest power and appeal in influencing the habits of consumers and has the capacity to attract the future population of non internet oriented market

• eCommerce allows traditional supply chains to be shortened (direct shipping from the manufacturers) or even completely eradicated them (digital goods such as software, music, info). This translates in  customer benefits by being able to purchase product in much less time.

• Some Web businesses, particularly media, music, computers businesses already customize the product to an audience of one. The result is customized products comparable to those offered by specialized suppliers but at competitive mass market prices 

• As suppliers are closer to their customer they are able to gather detailed information on the individual needs of the customer and can then tailor products and services catering for these individual needs

• eCommerce has created a global market with all suppliers competing for business. It brings suppliers closer to the customer. The customer benefits to the extent that the quality of the service offered is improved.

    New products and services

• eCommerce also provides the opportunity for new products and services, i.e., support services
• Access to new stores that do not exist in traditional formats and that deliver digital products and services for example

• There are no geographical or national boundaries in electronic commerce!  It is only limited by the coverage of computer networks. Customers can select from all potential suppliers regardless of their whereabouts.

• If retailing continues to grow on the Internet, competition and the favorable economics of the Internet are likely to translate into lower prices for the average consumer

• Consumers will be offered either online or offline "value added service"

• Internet retailers are starting to swallow shipping fees to capture customers

• More and more incentives for customer to stay loyal

• e-merchants are rewarding growth over profitability

• Emergence of new models to target diverse group of consumers with free offers: Free personal computers http://www.free-pc.com,

Free Internet access http://www.netzero.com
Free e-mail http://www.hotmail.com
Consumers are even paid to surf the web http://www.alladvantage.com. But those who "apply" by answering a detailed questionnaire have to accept constant bombardment by advertisers based on the personal profile created from the questionnaire!
Ebates.com is creating a business model built on the foundation of the Web's successful affiliate marketing programs but Ebates.com will pass the commissions it receives from retailers back to its users. The company plans to make money by selling advertising space to companies seeking to reach the Ebates.com audience