Websites ‘Must Offer Reliable Shopping Experience’

by Stephen Logan on 21st December 2010

Websites that want to make the most of the growing popularity of online shopping need to ensure they can offer consumers a reliable service.

This is the advice of a new report from Chase Paymentech, which noted British consumers are expected to spend in the region of £11.5 billion on internet shopping during Christmas this year, representing a 28 per cent rise on 2009's figures.

Shane Fitzpatrick, president and managing director of the company, said shoppers are being further encouraged to buy gifts from the comfort of their own homes rather than venturing out on to the high street because of the bad weather the UK is currently experiencing.

"As online shopping continues to increase in popularity, it is crucial that merchants offer consumers a consistent reliable shopping experience. Any downtime and the online shopper will simply go elsewhere," he went on to explain.

According to recent research conducted by online engagement platform provider EPiServer, about 40 per cent of Brits will be doing at least half of their Christmas shopping on the web this year.