How to shop online?
Everybody knows how to do that, right?
I see being online aware a necessary skill.
So much of our daily lives are run from behind a computer screen or through an app. We pay bills, make reservations and purchase pretty much everything for our lives; not to mention what we can learn at the click of a key.
Online shopping is becoming more and more a way of life. I buy not only my groceries online but also my favourite shoes. While the problem of today is to find time away from the Internet I am grateful for the ease and flexibility the online click makes in my life.
With the online sales about to hit full swing I thought it a good moment to share my tips to online shopping.
How To Shop Online
Know What You Are Looking For
Online shopping is like sales shopping, it is important to know what you want before you start looking. Opening a website and hoping all your wardrobe needs with be met is unrealistic and can be off- putting. Online sites may not necessarily be featuring what you are looking for, that does not mean it is unavailable.
Make the Search Box your Friend
Everything you are looking for is hidden behind the search box. I go directly to the search box rather than the categories suggested by the online retailer. This means I don’t get miss-directed or sidelined into looking/buying what I am not after. At sale time this is particularly relevant.
Keywords are King
The words typed into the Search box are what enable us to tailor make our shopping experience. Keywords are what bring up the selected merchandise and it is important to use the right ones. For example there is no point typing “jumper” into a US site, “sweater” is the term. Keywords need to be short and to the point; long descriptive sentences will bring up little. Once the page appears the selections can be refined into colours and price points.
Know your Brands; Know Your Size
Invest the time in the real world knowing the brands you like and that work. Try pieces on, understand the cut and the fabrics used. Spending the time in the beginning saves hours in the long run with online shopping. Where possible, know your size in each brand as they vary.
Make-up is the one area that is hard to work out. Each season I do my own detective work in store. I re-look at my favoured brands; see the colours for myself and then I know exactly what I am getting when I order online.
Read Descriptions
Most websites offer a description about each item offered for sale. I always read this and generally find them to be very accurate. It is in the stores interest to have fewer returns so this is important from their side.
Save, Save Save
The basket is our friend; save everything of possibility into the basket. Culling comes later. When in doubt save and then remove later.
It is too hard to go back and forth between pages opened; it’s easy to lose what we are looking at and not find it again. Online shopping is easier if you save as you go. I have pieces saved in my basket for days; there is no rush. Browsing the pages is no different to browsing the racks, the way we used to. The “basket” is the new dressing room.
Sleep on It
Unless delivery time is on the wire I sleep on my selections. A new day can often clarify confusion and make the choices very clear.
Delivery and Returns
Most sites offer free delivery and returns and with duty free options.
It’s not the end of the world if you get it wrong; it can go back. I suggest only online sites here with these policies and they are the ones I buy from. A shop credit does not interest anymore and I think it is probably a thing of the past. That is the beauty of online shopping; it’s not a mistake if it can always be returned for full refund.
How wonderful a click can be, it doesn’t matter where we live in the world, if we want we can all browse together.
And if you have early access to Nordstrom, don’t miss this ‘commander style’ beauty. xv
**Save The Date**
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is kicking off for those who have card accounts. It is the best sale of the year and worthwhile to be an account holder. I wish I could; you can apply here.
images, life and Everett/REX Shutterstock
