Whenever a purchase of item or service is conducted, the customer is handed a receipt to conclude the transaction. Everyone thus goes home a happy camper. However, how often does one take a look at the other side of this printed slip? Courtesy of some smart soul seeking to find all possible means to reach the masses, this small yet significant piece of real estate can be used for great opportunities to market one’s wares. Although many continue to scrunch their receipts into a ball and happily discard them as a one-handed basketball toss into the bin, merchants persist in advertising discounts and attractions in the hopes of catching the eye of the consumer.

Similarly in the world of online shopping, the digital receipt may come loaded with additional goodies to maintain ties with the customer. By keeping this umbilical cord between merchant and customer in good shape, information continues to come down to all quarters and nurture the possibility of more purchases in the future. In fact, all forms of communication between both parties pose as excellent opportunities to further inform the customer of good things in store and to come. Although colorful catalogs and brochures are essentially one’s digital showroom, many customers have no time to peruse the pages. If the online store can help them find what they want with minimal keystrokes, coupled with attractive discounts to save precious dollars, this is potentially a match made in heaven.

As the consumer world is in the habit of sharing their experiences, good and bad, with others, many online shopping sites offer this facility to air one’s joys and grievances. Hopefully more on the former and less on the latter, individuals happily include a write-up of their encounter whilst some upload pictures as further affirmation. This will certainly help those who are more skeptical of online shopping to reconsider their mindsets and join the crowd. It is worth to note that whatever attractions offered by online retailers in these websites have their own set of terms and conditions. Often times, it revolves around a minimum limit of spending to qualify for the offer. Others may provide a discount across the board for a limited duration with specific dates. Although there is some inconvenience to top up one’s purchases as well as have a calendar at hand to confirm the date before clicking on the order button, the savings may be worth the extra work.