Usability, Security and Trust of E-commerce Websites: The effect on the Nigerian E-shopper
Goodhead T. Abraham *
Computer Science Department, Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
Evans F. Osaisai
Mathematics Department, Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
Nicholas, S. Dienagha
Computer Science Department, Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
Abalaba Ineyekineye
Computer Science Department, Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
With the internet fast-penetrating the Nigerian populace, e-commerce businesses have become commonplace, this has given rise to an increase in the number of Nigerians shopping online. However, there is a growing concern that most Nigerian e-shoppers prefer foreign to local online shops, resulting in an online fund-leak from the local economy. This work presents a comparative analysis of the usability of e-commerce websites in Nigeria, highlights the key findings viz: security and lack of trust. The findings were then related to why Nigerians prefer shopping from foreign rather than local e-commerce websites. We argued that for e-commerce to thrive; usability should be given prime consideration, security should be guaranteed and trust-building ethos is practiced. We conclude that despite the ‘pay on delivery’ mode applied by e-commerce websites to woo customers and gain trust, the insecurity posed by the prevalence of online fraud in Nigeria has created apprehension and distrust among Nigerians towards local e-commerce websites and is contributing to why Nigerians prefer to buy from foreign rather than local e-commerce websites.
Keywords: Usability; e-commerce, security, trust, user-test; e-shoppers, on-line shopping