Want a figure to back that up? How about this one? Online buying in the flower category rose a brisk 16% in 2005 as opposed to 2004. On Valentine's Day alone, online flower orders hopped up 349% over 2004.



Now those are some impressive numbers! Much of this rise in buying flowers online is due to the fact that online flower shops have greatly increased in numbers in the last year. So has the number of advertisements. Practically every major ISP home page has an online flower shop ad on it these days. Plus the number of banner ads for buying flowers online has also risen significantly just in the last six months.

Why should you buy flowers online? Really, what's the advantage?

Well, first of all there's the ease. You boot up your computer, head down the Superhighway to your nearest and dearest online flower shop, quickly scan through the available arrangements, and add it to your shopping cart. Throw in your credit card and shipping info, and Presto! Flowers on their way to your loved one?and you never even left your desk or home.

This ease is the chief advantage of ordering flowers online. As people become ever-more time-starved, online buying in every consumer goods category continues to rise. This benefits not only the consumer, but flower shops of all kinds as well.

Because now even your favorite local flower shop that's only a few miles away is likely to have its own website where you can place your flower order. Major providers of flowers online such as 1-800-Flowers.com and FTD also have websites that make it easier and more convenient than ever to buy flowers online.

The only major disadvantage of ordering flowers online is that you don't, well, there really isn't a major disadvantage. Seriously, other than getting to enjoy the environment of a florist or flower shop while you browse for your flowers, there are no disadvantages as long as you're dealing with reputable online flower shops and florists.

Because there are few things better than being able to click to buy some flowers online and have the peace of mind of knowing they'll be delivered right where you want them, right when you want them to be. There are no more risks in this area than there is with your local florist?after all, that flower van that they've been using since 1973 can break down any minute. With the giant providers of flowers online, this is, in fact, much more unlikely to happen.

So when buying flowers online, you can rest easy knowing your personal and financial information is secure?just check for the lock symbol and https on the ordering page to be certain your order's secure. No reputable flower shop, florist or dealer will have anything less than the very best security system for ordering flowers online. After all, they want you to come back and use their services again.

And the ease of shopping for flowers online can be taken advantage of anytime, night or day, 24/7. So when you wake up at 2 a.m. in a panic because you'd forgotten your anniversary or mother's birthday is just two days away, you can get up and sneak to the computer to place your order while still wearing your pajamas.

Just make sure to allow for at least overnight delivery if you aren't using a local florist's website for ordering your flowers online to ensure enough time for proper planning and delivery.

And as for enjoying that wonderful flower shop environment that you may miss when ordering flowers online? When you place your order, have some flowers delivered to your home or office! That way, you can have your flowers and smell them too!