While it is convenient to place an order online, it is sometimes difficult to co-ordinate delivery of the product ordered due to factors beyond your control. The courier / delivery person can deliver the product at any time of the day. Ordering magazines online is more convenient than most other products, since most magazines are sent by ordinary post and the recipient need not sign an acknowledgement. The cost of each magazine copy is usually less than Rs 100.
Many magazines offer an online subscription option on their website, but if you wish to subscribe to a number of magazines, signing up at each website can be a very cumbersome process as you have to enter all personal details like name, email, telephone number separately . There are some online aggregators like Infibeam, Pustak and Magazinemall which allow you to order a number of magazines using a single account. Processing of the subscription usually takes two to four weeks, after which you start receiving magazine copies. Many of the magazines which can be ordered online have a limited circulation and are not easily available at most newspaper stalls.
Of the monthly magazines subscribed for some time, Consumer Voice, Alive and Caravan have been delivered regularly on time. Tehelka magazines which is published weekly also has a very efficient delivery system, but the delivery mechanism of some other weekly current affairs magazines could be improved, as many copies are missing.