INTRODUCTION

The growing use of internet in India provides a developing prospect for online
shopping. If E-marketers know the factors affecting online Indian behaviour, and the
relationships between these factors and the type of online buyers, then they can further develop
their marketing strategies to convert potential customers into active ones, while retaining
existing online customers.

Generally speaking the trend of e-commerce has been increased rapidly in the recent
years with the development of internet and due to the easy accessibility of internet usage. Easy
access to internet has driven consumers to shop online in fact according to the University of
California, Los Angeles (UCLA) communication policy (2001), online shopping is third most
popular activity on the internet after email using and web browsing. Globally more than 627
million people have done online shopping so far, World’s biggest online shoppers include
Germans and British. Books, airline tickets/reservations, clothing/shoes videos/games and
other electronic products are the most popular items purchased on the internet. (ACNielsen
Report on Global Consumer Attitudes towards Online Shopping, 2007).

Internet is changing the way consumers shop and buy goods and services, and has
rapidly evolved into a global phenomenon. Many companies have started using the internet
with the aim of cutting marketing costs, thereby reducing the price of their products and
services in order to say ahead in highly competitive markets. Companies also use the internet
to convey communicates and disseminate information, to sell the product, to take feedback and
also to conduct satisfaction surveys with customers. Customers use the internet not only to buy
the product on online, but also to compare prices, product features and after sale service
facilities that will receive if they purchase the product from a particular store. Many experts
are optimistic about the prospect of online business.

The main theme of the study is to know the factors that influence the consumer’s
attitudes and behaviours towards online shopping. Researchers will also focus on how
consumers form such attitudes with the help of models and who are truly the online
shoppers. According to the online survey within few American students, Case, Burns, and
Dick, (2001, p.873) concluded that “Internet knowledge, income, and education level are
especially powerful predictors of Internet purchases among university Students”.

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 This project is a part of study, and focuses on factors which online buyers keep in mind
while shopping online. This research found that information, perceived usefulness, ease of use;
perceived enjoyment and security/privacy are the five dominant factors which influence
consumer perceptions of online purchasing.

Internet is changing the way consumers shop and buy goods and services, and has
rapidly evolved into a global phenomenon. Many companies have started using the internet
with the aim of cutting marketing costs, thereby reducing the price of their product and service
in order to stay ahead in highly competitive markets.

Companies also use the internet to convey, communicate and disseminate information
to sell the product, to take feedback and also to conduct satisfaction surveys with customers.
Customers use the internet not only to buy the product online, but also to compare prices,
product features and after sale service facilities they will receive if purchase of the product
from a particular store. Many experts are optimistic about the prospect of online business.

In addition to the tremendous potential of the E-commerce market, the internet provides
a unique opportunity for companies to more efficiently reach existing and potential customer.
Although most of the revenue of online transaction comes from B2B commerce, the
practitioners of B2C commerce should not less confidence. It has been more than a decade
since business –to-consumer E-commerce first evolved. Scholars and practitioners of
electronic commerce constantly strive to gain an improved insight into consumer behaviour in
cyberspace. Along with the development of E-retailing, researchers continue to explain E-
consumers behaviour from different perspectives. Many of their studies have factors or
assumptions which are based on the traditional models of consumer behaviour, and then
examine their validity in the internet context.

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 1.1 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study identifies and get insight into what main factors the online consumers takes

into consideration when most he buy products on internet what affects their shopping

behaviour, attitudes and satisfaction. Basic need of this research is to find out what are the main

factors affect the online consumer when considering and making a purchase over internet.

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 1.2 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
 To study the attitudes of people towards the online shopping
 To study the customers level of satisfaction with regard to online shopping
 To study the online shopping behaviour of customers
 To study the factors influencing online shoppers and consumers
 To examine whether customers prefer online shopping to physical stores.

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 1.3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research methodology is a way to solve the research problem. In the various steps that are
generally adopted by a logic behind them is explained all this means that it is methodology
for his problem as the same may differ from problem to problem. Research in common
practice refers to search for knowledge it is to deliver answers through certain specific
procedures.

SOURCES OF DATA
 Primary data
The objective of the study has been accomplished with the help of primary data collected from
100 consumers of online shopping in Mananthavady Taluk. The questionnaire was used mainly
to test attitudes of customers towards online shopping.

 Secondary data
Secondary data was collected from the books and websites.
Statistical tools and techniques
The collected data have been analysed with the help of tools like simple percentage method
and comparative study.

Sample size
Sample size of this study consist of 100 consumers of online shopping in Mananthavady
Taluk

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1.4 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

 For this study only 100 consumers in Mananthavady Taluk were selected.
 There is a possibility of false information given by respondents.
 Non co-operation of some respondents affects the survey.
 Time allowed for the study is limited.