Five years ago, people would have laughed at the idea of buying furniture online. Books, movies, music – all these are physically defined products, and you can’t really go wrong with buying them online. But with furniture, there’s so much to think of. Today, however, more and more Aussies are logging on to hunt down the best deals from the hottest brands. It therefore makes sense to get yourself ready for the exciting world of ecommerce. You may soon have to furnish your own house, and it is possible that the internet will offer a better marketplace than physical brick and mortar shops. You can learn about the advantages of buying high quality furniture, on this website: www.deltadesignltd.co.uk
The e-Commerce boom
e-Commerce adoption and online banking have both facilitated a boom in online furniture sales.
The market has massive potential, and growth in online shopping for household furniture is anticipated to soon reach reach $297.5 million, much faster than the physical furniture stores.
Consumers have increasingly begun to enjoy the freedom in comparing products, prices, and hunt for great deals. The growth in mobile smartphones and tablets, which in turn has also led to apps for shopping, has enabled this trend.
While the prices are often really low, it is not because the products themselves use substandard material, but because an online storefront doesn’t have to deal with high operating costs, supply chain logistics and other traditional costs. The lack of floor space rent to showcase products, or the need to pay sales staff makes these prices possible. In fact, it is anticipated that online retailers can soon pose a threat to traditional retailers.
According to marketing company Quantium’s director Tony Davis, online shopping is increasing, not only for the young tech-savvy generation, but across demographics. “For specialty retailers, most online transactions are made by people living far from bricks and mortar retail centers.” Specialty retail includes furniture includes retail, and he suggests that that might be the next big frontier in ecommerce.
Here’s how you can ready to fish out the best furniture deals from the World Wide Web.
Know the company
Read up about the company you’re buying from. Often, the retailer has nothing to do with the furniture, and is just a reseller, a middleman. If this is the case, look into its reviews, especially when it comes to facilitating customer service and the overall after-sales experiences. Even their website will give you an idea of what the company is about. Look for the latest deals, a professional and slick interface. Avoid a company with vague links that are “dead” – i.e. don’t take you anywhere.
The type of furniture
Know what type of furniture that you want. It could the shiny, modular lines of contemporary furniture, or the resilient, slightly worn antique appeal. Know the kind of furniture you’re looking for, otherwise you’ll get distracted by the number of options available at this shops. You’ll jump from site to site, making massive lists based on prices and sizes, instead of looking for aesthetic relevant based on your home.
Consider your specific needs. For example, if you have kids, you will need durable, stain-resistant furniture, and more wood or metal than glass, to prevent accidental breakage.
Know about wood
The first-time furniture buyer who has never read about wood will give a superficial look at the description, and prefer to pay more attention to the overall appeal. But wood furniture can be a bit complex. Read up on the qualities of different kinds of wood, addressing things like color, shine, durability, etc.
