Limitations of E-Commerce

Respond to the following:

The Internet has certainly made daily life much more convenient with the many vast abilities that it provides to millions of users. Internet users may browse and roam the World Wide Web for random sets of information, such as searching for addresses and phone numbers of people and businesses, digital shopping over hundreds of online retail merchants, the adoption of creating access to online banking, and of course social media, to only name a few. With all of these capabilities made at the ease of a click and at a fingertip, millions of users can utilize the knowledge the Internet provides, on thousands upon thousands of networks.

With the known fact of sharing all of this information with random strangers across the globe, there is a certain high security risk that lurks with all consumers using the Internet for their material needs. I believe the privacy/security issue is among the most difficult limitation for e-commerce to overcome because of the large base of users and domains that are in existence. An article submitted by NBC News reveals that many consumers are now starting to think twice of what they will likely post on different retail/social media online sites due to the fear of having their personal information hacked by cyber criminals (Sullivan, 2013). With the modern advances that are displaying in the technology sector in order to improve privacy of consumers, there are still concerns with a good percentage of the population that will most likely withhold from displaying credit card numbers, phone numbers, addresses, dates of birth, and social security numbers.

Other major limitations in the realm of e-commerce that comes to my mind is definitely privacy of consumer information, with is certainly a high priority to allow a peaceful mindset while browsing the Internet. Additional limitations or negative aspects of e-commerce are the loss of personal communication with customers/clients, delay of receipt of desired product and lack of knowledge of online merchant (Khurana, 2014). Sometimes customers have the need to continue with their purchasing history with a previous merchant because they are comfortable with the physical transaction process, as well as receiving positive communication amongst managers and staff members, as well as knowing they are buying from a credible source. It heightens their personal shopping experience and makes them more likely to return to that store.

Even though I am an e-commerce supporter, as a consumer I am not a big fan of waiting longer periods of time to receive my purchased goods. This is especially true when the value of the product that was purchased is outweighed by the cost of the shipping and sales tax, and the possibility that if you need to return the product for any flaw the purchasing experience will turn into a nightmare. Oftentimes, it is best to know how to buy things online, and which items to purchase in a physical store.

I work with personal information at my place of employment. The nature of job consists of collecting and gathering the information of insurance eligible employees, in order to enrol them into the desired employer group insurance plans they have selected for the plan year. I have to keep large databases that contain highly sensitive information, so my staff members and I are kept abreast of the latest trends to learn how to protect member information.

What are the major limitations on the growth of e-commerce? Which is potentially the toughest to overcome?