The Do’s & Don’ts of Shopping Online

While many of us have come to love shopping online, it is still a mystery to some. Not everyone knows the basic rules of what to do and what to avoid. If you’re one of those people who is intimidated by shopping online, below you will find some basic do’s and don’ts or ordering items online. Read it carefully and remember — shopping online is not so hard when you know how to do it right!

Shopping Online Do’s

Shop from a website you trust. Make sure the website address contains “https” in the beginning — that means it is a secure website. These days cyber criminals are looking for new ways to get your money and they do get creative. For example, some create a fake e-store and ask for all your personal information and bank details. Check the store’s reputation before entering any personal info. If you have any doubts, don’t shop from that website.

Use online coupons. Many brands offer online promo codes to help you save on your purchase. For instance, look at these Overstock promo codes and coupons from ChameleonJohn.com. It is amazing how much you can save just after a few clicks online!

Read terms and conditions before shopping. This will help you to be informed about your rights and what you can you expect from the retailer. You may also find some valuable information about returns, exchanges, shipping, etc.

Shopping Online Don’ts

Never use a public wi-fi network while shopping. Cyber criminals love to use public internet connections to secretly get your personal information and steal your money. To avoid that, it’s better shop from home where you can set-up a password protected network.

Don’t use your work or personal emails to shop. Cyber criminals can get into your email and steal valuable work or personal information. It’s better to create a special email just for shopping online. You will get all your shopping emails in one place and you won’t risk leaking confidential information.

Don’t use your debit card for online purchases. Use a credit card instead. Credit cards have purchase protection through your credit card company. If someone manages to intercept your financial information online, they can do less damage and you have more recourse than if you’d used a debit card. Also, credit cards have spending limits, so you won’t overspend during a shopping spree.

What are some of your do’s and don’ts for shopping online?

This post was written by a guest contributor.