Just a click away: 5 benefits of online shopping

(BPT) - Shopping online has radically changed since the early days of the internet. Nowadays, because of the rise of global e-commerce, you can find hundreds of thousands of products from around the world in seconds. Currently, about 75% of Americans shop for items online, according to Statista, and it's easy to see why. Online shopping is more affordable and convenient than shopping in person. Check out five ways you can benefit by shopping more online.

1. Selection

One of the most significant benefits of shopping online is the sheer number of products available to consumers. Instead of settling for whatever brands your local shops carry, you can browse thousands of brands online before picking the ones you love the most or trying new ones. Online marketplaces like AliExpress give you access to hundreds of thousands of products and retailers from around the world.

2. One-stop shop

If you wanted to shop travel products and accessories, wellness items and clothing, more likely than not, you'd have to go to several stores to find all you need. However, e-commerce platforms allow you to search several categories all on one site. Whether you're looking for a carry-on bag for your long weekend trip, supplements, skin care products or jeans, you can find it all in one convenient place.

3. Save on quality items

Shopping online isn't just convenient; it can also help you save money. According to Adobe's Digital Price Index, online prices in all categories dropped by 1.6% last year. You can save even more on certain items like electronics, which dropped by as much as 12% in price online.

One thing to keep in mind with shopping online is that cheaper items don't always translate to bigger savings. Quality products generally last longer than cheaper products, because cheaper items tend to break more easily. You may find that you spend more money replacing a cheap product than you would have purchasing a better quality one.

Finding quality products at affordable prices can be challenging. Luckily, the new AliExpress CHOICE program can make it easier for you. This program offers shoppers more than 50,000 curated products such as fashion, tech, kitchen accessories, home décor and fitness equipment. These products are handpicked by specialists because of their quality and price, so you can get great items at a value.

4. Cut out the middleman

When you buy from a store, you're buying from a distributor, not the source. By buying online, you can cut out the middleman and buy directly from a retailer. Purchasing from a retailer means there are fewer intermediate steps between you and the product. This means you'll likely experience fewer problems with supply chain issues, customer service and quality oversight.

5. Shipping and returns

Products you normally would not be able to find near you are right at your fingertips online. However, the logistics of shipping and returns can turn off some consumers from the online shopping experience. However, many online retailers now offer free shipping and returns. That means you can buy the latest fashion trend, and if it's not for you or doesn't fit, you can package it up and return it without having to schedule a trip to the store.

To get the most out of your online shopping experience, you'll want to buy from a reputable source. AliExpress has been in the online retail game for more than 13 years and is dedicated to bringing you a selection of quality products at unbeatable prices that you can access from the comfort of your own home. To learn more and start shopping today, visit AliExpress.us.