ABSTRACT

Contemporary studies have indicated an interest in exploring students’ perceptions towards online buying. Internet shopping is one of the fastest emergent industry and internet users have reported that online shopping is one of their primary use of the internet. Due to the widespread of internet access by people and e-commerce usage by traders, online shopping has seen a massive growth in recent years. Young people have been the majority online shoppers. With the aid of online shopping, consumers can purchase airline, train ticket, electronic gadgets, books, gifts, groceries, computer hardware and software, events tickets etc.  This research attempted to find out whether there is any perception of these factors like convenience, trust, product/service availability, product information, cost and time efficiency, website structure and security towards online shopping.

DESIGN: The design for the purpose of this research, review that was carried out on past literature on the students’ perception towards online shopping. This research used a mixed research techniques design (both quantitative and qualitative methods) were used for the methodology. Insight into the perception and variables which affect customers to buy via internet was gathered through structured questionnaires and semi-structured-interview that were carried out by the students in Nigeria.

The analysis was done using some built-in functions of Excel, website illustrations. Finding from the research was analyzed and evaluated and a website was created to show how online shopper has increased and what motivates online shoppers to purchase online with the website layout that helps in searching for a product/service easily at the comfort of their homes.

AIMS: The purpose of this research is to develop and evaluate students’ perception towards online shopping.

FINDINGS: Results from the research shows that customers are motivated to purchase online because of convenience and time-saving. Also, the majority of the respondents agreed the price is an additional variable that affects them to purchase via online. Furthermore, the survey revealed some other factors that are the main concern of students’ perception to shop online like the privacy and security because some prefer to go shopping offline because of the touch factor and some because of the distance. Online shoppers should be protected from fraudulent because of their personal information is given and the key to change the mindset of some customers that are not physically seen is to make the customers have confidence on their website and make the customers to be aware of the advantages of buying their goods and services online.

KEYWORDS: Online Shopping, Websites, Customers, Students’ Perception, e-Marketing, Internet Users, Products, Services