Online shopping is becoming ever more popular as the reach of the Internet extends further and further. If you need to buy a particular item you will now have the option of either shopping online or going to a local brick and mortar shop to purchase what you need. There are certainly a number of distinct benefits and disadvantages of shopping online, so let's quickly consider what these are.

It is safe to say that pretty much anyone would agree that the main benefit of shopping online is simply the fact that you do not have to leave your house in order to browse the different products that you may want. All you need is a computer and Internet connection and you are able to do all of your shopping from the comfort of your own home.

A second advantage is the enormous range of choice that any shopper will have available to them. It is quite possible to literally come across millions of different products online. If you were to go into the local shops you would only be limited the particular products that they have on display. On the Internet, however, pretty much any product in existence is available for you to purchase.

A third distinct advantage is the fact that you will often be able to save money by shopping online as well. This is partly due to the fact that you can compare so many similar products, thus allowing you to identify those that offer the best value for money. While you may have several of the same products available in a local shop, on the Internet you are likely to have hundreds or thousands. As e-commerce websites also have very low running costs compared to brick and mortar shops, they can also pass on savings to the consumer.

So what of the disadvantages? Well, first and foremost among these is simply the fact that you are not able to see, feel, or hear a product in action. When shopping online you will have to know exactly what you are looking for and exactly what to expect. If you really need to get a good feel for the product before buying it it is always best to go and actually engage with the particular item you need in a live setting.

A second disadvantage is the fact that there is a much higher danger of your financial information being compromised when you engage in Internet transactions. If you simply go to your local shops and you pass them some money or you use your ATM card you are completely free from danger. Online, however, certain websites that do not have the latest protection may leave you open to risks relating to financial and identity theft.

A third disadvantage is the fact that you will have to wait for your product to arrive. If you go out and purchase a product live then you can simply take it home with you immediately. If, however, you purchase it online you may have to wait several days to receive it. If the Postal Service doesn't do its job you may even have to wait a lot longer.

As such, these are just some of the primary advantages and disadvantages of online shopping.