There is no doubt that we are currently living in the digital age. Everything around us has been affected by technology—including how people shop and how businesses market their products.
It’s no secret that e-commerce has grown exponentially over the last decade, and as a result, there are plenty of online shopping events throughout the year.
If you love to shop and find great deals on things you need or want, then you’ll love Cyber Monday. This event is held annually on the Monday following Thanksgiving to drive traffic to online retailers and encourage consumers to finish their holiday shopping from home.
Whether you’re a long-time cyber monday participant or this is your first time hearing about it, here are pros and cons of cyber monday so you can decide if it’s right for you this year.
What is Cyber Monday?
Cyber Monday is a marketing term that was coined in 2005 to describe the expected increase in online shopping on the Monday following Black Friday. Since then, it has become the biggest online shopping day of the year and a crucial day for online retailers.
The day is popular among shoppers because stores often offer sales and special discounts to encourage visitors to buy online. In recent years, Black Friday has been shortened to end on the Thanksgiving holiday itself. This gives Cyber Monday an extended length, lasting an entire week.
Why do people love Cyber Monday?
As we’ve said, Cyber Monday is the biggest online shopping day of the year. So if you’re someone who usually shops online, you’re likely to find an even better selection of products and better deals than usual. But there are several other advantages to shopping on Cyber Monday besides just convenience and bigger discounts.
You can shop from the comfort of your own home, while trying on clothes and shoes, reading reviews and comparing prices from the convenience of your sofa or bed. You don’t have to fight crowds or wait in long lines.
We’re also talking about online shopping, which means you can shop 24/7. You can get started as soon as Thanksgiving ends, and you don’t have to stop until December 31st.
How can you take advantage of Cyber Monday deals?
While there are many advantages to shopping on Cyber Monday, some people are concerned about the security of their information. Modern technology has created new vulnerabilities and threats, which means you need to be extra careful when shopping online.
If you’re unsure about whether a retailer is legitimate, you can check out sites like Trustpilot, BBB and Shopper’s Reviews to see what others have said about the retailer and if they have had any issues with the company. You can also find out if they’re a member of Better Business Bureau.
Another important thing to remember is that while retailers often offer special deals and coupons on Cyber Monday, they may not work on the exact same products you’re looking at.
Always check the fine print on coupons, codes and special offers to make sure they apply to what you want to buy.
Pros of participating in Cyber Monday
- More selection and better deals. Since there are tons of new sales that pop up every year, you’ll be able to find a wider selection of products and better deals than any other day of the year.
- Online shopping is easy. If you’re someone who normally shops online, you should love this day. You can go through your normal routine and make your purchases. You don’t have to make special plans to avoid the crowds at a physical store.
- Better Cybersecurity. Since Cyber Monday is held annually, companies are able to prepare for the event and make any necessary security changes. You’re also less likely to be victimized by fraud or other Internet scams.
- Better delivery systems. Since online retailers expect high volumes of online sales during this time, they’re likely to have better delivery systems. Delivery times are often faster and more reliable.
Cons of participating in Cyber Monday
- Online shopping can be dangerous. While online shopping is convenient and often cheaper than shopping in person, it also has its dangers. You have less protection if something goes wrong with your order.
- Ecological footprint. Although it’s possible to shop sustainably online, the majority of online shopping still has a large ecological footprint.
- More distractions. You might have more time than usual to shop, especially if you wait until the end of the day to shop. This can lead to impulsive purchases and unnecessary spending.
Who Can Participate in Cyber Monday?
You don’t have to be a computer “geek” or a particularly tech-savvy person to take advantage of Cyber Monday shopping. Anyone who is comfortable shopping online can take part in this event.
Basically, if you have access to a computer and an Internet connection, you’re good to go. If you’re a busy person who has a hard time finding time to go shopping, or you want to avoid the crowds and long lines, you might want to check out online retailers.
If you want to get better deals than usual, you might want to shop for Cyber Monday deals.
What to Expect on Cyber Monday
When you log on to check out the deals and products offered during Cyber Monday, you’ll likely find that retailers offer a wider selection of products and bigger discounts than usual. You can expect to see larger discounts, special bundles and coupon codes.
You’ll also find that the websites are more crowded than normal. Some of them might even be slower, since everyone is likely trying to shop at the same time. However, there are ways to avoid these issues.
First, don’t log on to your favorite shopping sites as soon as the day begins. Give yourself a few hours to settle in and get ready. Make sure you have plenty of snacks and beverages so you don’t get hungry or thirsty while you shop.
You can also log on to your favorite retailer during off-peak hours. For example, if you’re a morning person, you might want to log on during the afternoon or early evening. You can also try logging on during the middle of the night.
How long does Cyber Monday last?
Cyber Monday is an event that happens annually each year, beginning in the evening of the Monday following Thanksgiving and lasting for a few days. Since this event is held once a year, it’s important to take advantage of all the deals and discounts offered from online retailers, so you can save money and shop for gifts for the holidays.
Many online retailers will offer special offers and coupon codes to encourage shoppers to buy their products. Most of these deals will be valid until the end of the year. However, you should always read the fine print to make sure you know the details and expiration date of each offer.
What is the average discount on Cyber Monday?
Unfortunately, no one can say exactly how much you’ll save on Cyber Monday. This is because the discounts often vary from retailer to retailer. You can, however, expect to save as much as 50% more compared to normal online shopping prices.
Keep in mind, however, that these are average savings. You might save a bit more or less than the average. You might also find that certain retailers offer greater discounts than others.
How does Black Friday benefit the economy?
With online shopping becoming more and more popular each year, the in-store shopping event Black Friday is slowly dying out. This doesn’t mean, however, that it has lost its significance or importance.
On the contrary, this day is still considered very important for economic growth. The retail industry expects to see a 20% increase in sales on Black Friday. This means that a lot of money will be spent on merchandise, which helps boost the economy. More money being spent means more taxes being paid by retailers.
This means that there will be more money available for government programs, infrastructure projects and other initiatives. The holiday shopping season is one of the most important times of the year.
This is when retailers make the majority of their yearly profits. If you want to support retailers and boost the economy, you should definitely shop during this time.