When the Nielsen Company conducted one of its early online shopping surveys, only about 10 percent of the world’s online population had made a purchase on the Web. Today, according to Forrester Research, over $150 billion of consumer goods are purchased online annually, and e-commerce sales in Western Europe alone are expected to exceed 114 billion Euros by 2014. Online shopping has become a global phenomenon, especially for books, travel, electronics, games, video, fashion, and gift items, because the Internet is ideally suited for finding products, comparing prices, and making purchases 24/7. Shoppers from the U.K. to South Korea are embracing the technology, knowing that shopping online is fun, convenient, economical, and sate, if you use a little common sense.
Take advantage of search when you shop online. Looking for a particular camera, designer dress, or game? Just type it into your favorite search engine or shopping portal. You’re sure to find lots of helpful resources. Search is a great tool for sending gifts to other cities and countries, too. For example, there are thousands of quality florists online throughout the world. So, if you want to send a bouquet to someone special in London, Singapore, Germany, or the United States, include the town or country in your search query. In many cases you can speed delivery and avoid unnecessary charges by working directly with a florist in that country or region.
Look for merchants you know and trust. You probably wouldn’t order a meal from a restaurant you’ve never heard of or seen. Why would buying a book or a pair of shoes be any different? Most online stores are highly reputable, but a few “bad apples” are not. So, stick with local favorites, top brands, and leading regional firms. If you’re new to a site, check for complete contact information, customer feedback, superior industry credentials, and satisfaction guaranteed. Avoid even the “coolest” of sites if it’s unclear what company is behind it or who to contact if any question arises.
Most experts agree that you’re just as safe entering your credit card online as handing it to a waiter or salesperson, but be sure to enter your credit card information only on secure pages, beginning with https, to ensure your peace of mind, and use a credit rather than debit card when possible, so authorizations and charges are one step removed from your personal bank account. One last word of caution, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. So, shop online like you do in stores, looking for the best overall quality, value, and service, not just the lowest price.