Online shopping has rapidly emerged as the preferred shopping method for a lot of the urban population in every country. Online shopping is far more convenient and easier than store shopping. No crowds, no lines, no need to dress up, and you can shop at a click of a button.
Of course, the online shopping process is usually fast, and requires no physical presence of either the buyer or seller. However, there are things to keep in mind when shopping online.
Do a research
Before settling in on a buy, compare its price across other e-commerce sites that might be selling similar products. You can check on review sites or make use of price comparison websites. Check out their social media handles –brands who value their customers are more likely to have an online presence.
Take a good at their website. Does it look trustworthy? What payment gateways do they offer? What have others said about their service? Cut down risk and protect your money by learning all there is to learn about the brand first.
Read the return policy
Be sure about what the return and refund policy say before making a purchase. Some companies may offer a year return policy, while for some others, it can range from between a 14 to 30-day return window. There are also companies who only offer exchange.
It may look good in the photos but save yourself some frustration by determining what your risks are when purchasing.
Set boundaries
Decide a limit on the amount of time and money that you are comfortable with when doing an online search. Make a mental note of what you really need, instead of just letting yourself be swayed by what looks good.
Use search filters to cut through the temptation to buy more than you should.
Use Coupons, discounts and special offers
Online shopping gives great returns in terms of coupons and discounts. Also, be on a lookout for promotional codes and special deals, which might significantly reduce the price.
You can join the email lists of your favorite retailers so you can get coupons and other special offers delivered straight to your inbox.
Don’t do idle browsing
Most impulse buys are done when we are bored and browsing sites to pass time. Set specific days or time to look up your favourite items.
Don’t click on shopping ads and never open these websites while you are at work. They can be a serious distraction.
Avoid shipping cost
Some stores offer their customers free shipping if they spend a certain amount. Make a list of all items you may need that you can purchase ahead of time. Also, steer clear of sites that have dynamic prices.
This is a sneaky strategy to show different prices to different customers based on their location, browsing history, spending patterns and current demand of the product.
We hope these tips helped? Tell us about your online shopping experience!
