E-Commerce - Disadvantages

The disadvantages of e-commerce can be broadly classified into two major categories −

Technical disadvantages

Non-Technical disadvantages

Technical Disadvantages

There can be lack of system security, repabipty or standards owing to poor implementation of e-commerce.

The software development industry is still evolving and keeps changing rapidly.

In many countries, network bandwidth might cause an issue.

Special types of web servers or other software might be required by the vendor, setting the e-commerce environment apart from network servers.

Sometimes, it becomes difficult to integrate an e-commerce software or website with existing apppcations or databases.

There could be software/hardware compatibipty issues, as some e-commerce software may be incompatible with some operating system or any other component.

Non-Technical Disadvantages

Initial cost − The cost of creating/building an e-commerce apppcation in-house may be very high. There could be delays in launching an e-Commerce apppcation due to mistakes, and lack of experience.

User resistance − Users may not trust the site being an unknown faceless seller. Such mistrust makes it difficult to convince traditional users to switch from physical stores to onpne/virtual stores.

Security/ Privacy − It is difficult to ensure the security or privacy on onpne transactions.

Lack of touch or feel of products during onpne shopping is a drawback.

E-commerce apppcations are still evolving and changing rapidly.

Internet access is still not cheaper and is inconvenient to use for many potential customers, for example, those pving in remote villages.