Okay, I’m not saying Online Shopping is stressful – except that I kind of am.
Know this: I am not a shopper. I do not enjoy trudging around a department stores looking for a certain item nor am I a girly girl who goes to the mall just to go to the mall. Honestly, I can think of about 3,000 other things I’d rather do with my time.
That’s why I’m a HUGE fan of online Shopping. Sitting on my couch searching the web beats a trip to any department store. Online shopping can shave hours of wasted time off my day and offers a bigger selection than any mall could possibly provide.
That said, online shopping can be stressful. With thousands of options, sometimes it’s hard to know where to begin. And once you start, how to you know if you’re dealing with a reputable retailer? Or getting the best price? Or the best quality?
Fret not, favorite readers! Here are five tips to help make online shopping less stressful and more fun.
Identify your favorite sites. Knowing where to look for a certain item is half the battle. Chances are you have your go-to stores at the mall, but what about your favorite stores on the web? Making a list of your preferred sites can help streamline the process.
Take advantage of online search engines. Shopzilla.com, Shopstyle.com and PriceGrabber.com are awesome search engines designed specifically for online shopping. Use them to find exactly what you’re looking for as you browse by color, brand, size and price.
Search for promo and coupon codes. Coupon codes are a set of letters and numbers that you can enter before paying for an online shopping order. Coupon codes work the same as paper coupons and give you a percentage off your purchase, free shipping or another type of discount. Sites like http://www.frugaa.com/ make it easy to find the code you need regardless of whether you’re shopping for electronics, clothing, home décor or even food and beverages.
Read reviews. Don’t even consider buying a product online without taking a look at its customer feedback. Not only can reviewers give you more insight about the quality of an item, they can also help you determine which size to order.
Use social networking, email and “savings” sites. “Like” your favorite retailer on Facebook. Many merchants post special coupons or announce sales first on their Facebook pages. Join email lists of your favorite retailers so you can have coupons and other special offers delivered straight to your inbox.
There you have it, five easy ways to take the stress out of your online shopping! Do you have any suggestions you’d like to share?
