Shopping Sites (Edexcel IGCSE ICT): Revision Note

James Woodhouse

Written by: James Woodhouse

Reviewed by: Lucy Kirkham

Updated on

Shopping sites

What is a shopping site?

  • Shopping websites offer customers the ability to purchase a range of products and services

  • Characteristics of shopping websites include:

    • Product catalogue

    • Basket

    • Checkout

    • Secure payments

Product catalogue

  • When shopping online, users browse a catalogue of products

  • Catalogues are often grouped in to categories to make browsing easier

  • Catalogues are also linked so the user can have similar recommendations made for them during their shopping experience

  • When a customer selects an item from the product catalogue, then can add it to their basket

Basket

  • A shopping site basket allows the user to be able to add multiple items or products from the store to their basket

  • It is a way for the user to keep everything in one place until they are ready to pay for their items

  • Using a basket allows the user to be able to pay in full for their entire purchase in one transaction

Checkout

  • When a user is ready to complete the purchase of their items, they will do this at checkout

  • Checkout also allows users to

    • edit delivery details

    • use voucher codes

  • Checkout can often ask users to sign in, or proceed as a guest on the site to complete their purchase with ease

Secure payment

  • When payment is made, shopping websites will use a secure payment method to ensure the transaction is secure

  • This will often be done by a third-party payment processor

  • More information about security of websites can be found in in the revision note ' Methods of Securing Data'

Advantages and disadvantages to the customer

Advantages

Disadvantages

  • There is a wider choice of sellers

  • There is a wider choice of products

  • People do not have to travel

  • Users can build a profile

  • Users can check availability

  • Users can shop 24/7

  • Targeted marketing provides more relevant recommendations

  • There is no need to queue

  • Use can compare prices more easily

  • Security concerns

  • Limited physical interaction

  • Delivery delays and fees

  • Impersonal customer service

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James Woodhouse

Author: James Woodhouse

Expertise: Computer Science

James graduated from the University of Sunderland with a degree in ICT and Computing education. He has over 14 years of experience both teaching and leading in Computer Science, specialising in teaching GCSE and A-level. James has held various leadership roles, including Head of Computer Science and coordinator positions for Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4. James has a keen interest in networking security and technologies aimed at preventing security breaches.

Lucy Kirkham

Author: Lucy Kirkham

Expertise: Head of STEM

Lucy has been a passionate Maths teacher for over 12 years, teaching maths across the UK and abroad helping to engage, interest and develop confidence in the subject at all levels.Working as a Head of Department and then Director of Maths, Lucy has advised schools and academy trusts in both Scotland and the East Midlands, where her role was to support and coach teachers to improve Maths teaching for all.