With the click of a mouse, you have access to fashion, music, art, food, and tons of other products and services from around the world. From that fiery gourmet salsa you tried at a party and your favorite brand of socks to that cute little condo by the sea, you can find it on the Net. And you're not limited to retail sites either; there are plenty of online auction and bartering sites out there as well.
The Internet is fast becoming consumers' purchasing method of choice, especially as more homes become connected to the Net. According to Forrester Research, 49 million homes are expected to have Net access by 2004. And research firm Jupiter Communications estimates that by 2003, online sales will rise to US$78 billion for the holidays alone. However, to some, the rise of e-shops has transformed the Internet into a complicated maze of individual retailers and electronic "malls" that provide one-click access to hundreds of storesââ,¬"all of which are vying for your attention. The good news, as you'll quickly notice, is that the best Web shops combine strong technology components (sophisticated search engines, easy navigation, and well-designed, quick-loading pages) with good old-fashioned retailing practices (high-quality, in-stock merchandise, fair return policies, and competitive prices).
