Online shopping has really come into its own in recent years, with both consumers and retailers reaping the benefits of having virtually limitless options. But that’s also made it hard to choose which shops to visit, as there are so many choices out there! To help you make sense of it all, here’s an ultimate guide to online shopping that’ll cover everything from discounts and sales e-commerce to in-store pickup and wish lists.
What are your goals?
Your goals will shape every step of your journey toward starting an online store. In fact, if you don’t have specific goals in mind, setting up an online store might not be a great idea. If you just want to take some time off and try something new, then creating a store will likely end up being a disappointment because you won’t care enough about it to drive sales. With that said, what are your goals? Are you looking for a way to make money on nights and weekends? Are you trying to provide for your family with another source of income? Perhaps you simply want an interesting way of learning how businesses work—and actually get paid for it!
Is online shopping for you?
Since online shopping offers so many perks, it’s worth considering as a viable option. But is it right for you? Let’s look at what online shopping has to offer, and whether or not it’s a good fit. This ultimate guide will help you decide if online shopping is something that might be worthwhile for you. It's hard to imagine a world without Amazon - but before its founding in 1994, few people shopped online. How times have changed! So what are some of the pros and cons of buying stuff on your computer screen instead of in person? Let's take a look at why hundreds of millions worldwide are now making their purchases with just a click, swipe or tap.
Types of online shoppers
The Buy-it-for-life Shopper: Dedicated BIFFLers want high quality, durable products that they’ll have for decades. They tend to be loyal shoppers of brand names, but they’re often willing to try new brands and products if those brands are highly recommended. The Sales Hunter: While you might think that bargain shoppers only visit brick-and-mortar stores, you’d be wrong! In fact, more than 50% of bargain hunters look for deals online as well as in physical stores.
Where do you shop online?
With thousands of e-commerce sites out there, where do you start? The best thing you can do when getting ready to browse is think about what you’re looking for. Do you need a new laptop? Are your jeans a few sizes too big? Do you have an upcoming birthday and want to find just that right gift? Once you know what products or services will fulfill your needs, it’s time to figure out how much money is in your budget for shopping. Be realistic about how much spending cash you have on hand—and if there’s not enough, commit that money toward paying down debt rather than going into further credit card debt by buying something.
Price is important
On average, a difference of $1 will change an online shopper’s mind about whether or not they’ll buy something by 60 percent. And while a lot of people may say they’re driven by quality when it comes to their purchases, price is ultimately what makes that decision for them. The same item at different prices can lead shoppers to think that one product is better than another even if it really isn’t. Consumers tend to make assumptions based on how much something costs and where they believe it was purchased from. This leads many shoppers who are willing to pay more for a product rather than going with their gut.
Shipping fees are worth paying
If you do decide to take advantage of free shipping, don’t be surprised if your shopping cart offers you an upgrade. Shipping is all about supply and demand and in many cases merchants will have a certain package weight or dollar amount that triggers free shipping, which may not actually cost them anything extra. But don’t let that stop you from getting free shipping! There are ways around paying for upgrades. For example, when it comes time to checkout just uncheck all of those boxes that want you to pay for faster delivery or expedited processing (for less than $1) and then hit submit. Those charges will disappear before your payment information is even required, allowing you get everything at no additional cost.
How do you handle returns?
You can’t see a product before you buy it. Returns are tricky. But that doesn’t mean you have to ditch online shopping altogether. In fact, with a little preparation and smart shopping strategies, there are plenty of ways you can enjoy online sales without getting burned. Here’s how to make sure your online shopping experience is nothing but a success.
How do you save money on shipping?
Most online stores will offer free shipping on orders over a certain price point. To take advantage of that, you’ll need to find items that add up to or exceed your limit—and don’t forget about sales tax, which can often push your total order into another bracket. And if you really want something (for example, an Amazon Echo), it might be worth opting for second-day or overnight shipping, especially if it puts you above a minimum threshold. Sites like SameDayParcel and next-daydelivery make it easy and affordable to get items quickly if you need them within 24 hours.
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