Online shopping has develop a very common
activity. There has been a significant growth in e-commerce stores in recent
years, and there are already many brick-and-mortar stores that have opened up
the space for online shopping such as food, clothing, or gardening.
The ease of finding any product on the
Internet with one click, even if you don't have it at hand in stores you know,
is one of the great advantages of buying online. Another big advantage is the
convenience of getting your order to your door, and therefore, there is no need
to walk or walk down the aisles of stores in search of what you want.
However, despite its exceptional growth, there
are still people who do not want to buy online because they prefer to contact
the seller or for fear of being robbed by putting a credit card or account
number in it. Internet page. Therefore, we're going to explain how you can make
sure you're making a safe online purchase and give you some tips to further
improve the experience.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Online
Shopping
Buying online has benefits for both buyers and
sellers, who are more likely to sell their goods. For sample, and among the
main advantages that clients find is the ability to access goods that are very
far from their area, to buy without having to spend time in line and do it
every day at any time.
Also benefits are the ability to follow
anytime the package is located, no need to handle cash, and the immediate
purchase of downloadable products, be they movies, discs, e-books or software.
It is important for sellers that transactions
are done quickly and efficiently and that the interaction with the buyer can be
personalized, which is a factor that can ensure that they make a repeat
purchase. It also reduces personnel costs, simplifies inventory management,
allowing products to be restocked before they run out and are always available
to the buyer and there are no space restrictions so they can be offered.
products to the customer.
Finally, it should be noted that the position
of store location is declining because as a user you will not travel to buy and
there are more opportunities to sell items that are considered “rare” because
there are many potential customers online. those that might interest you.
However, there are a number of downsides that
can make you rethink your online shopping experience. One of the focal shortcomings
is that it is difficult for you as a buyer to detect fraud, so the fear of
being tricked and mugged will make you choose to buy a physical store. Another
drawback is the lack of communication between the seller and the buyer, which
is very much appreciated by some users, or the inability to test the product
before buying it. While returns can be made, it is often a cumbersome and
costly process that makes it inconvenient for many users.
Absolute dependence on the Internet for online
shopping can also become an inconvenience, and this can harm some groups of
people. Seniors who usually do not use a computer or live in areas where this
technology is not available may be harmed and not enjoy the benefits of online
shopping.
How do I know if it is innocuous to shop
online?
In the same way that you listen to opinions or
recommendations before buying in a store in order to have a preliminary idea
and decide whether to buy or not, you should do the same when buying online.
You cannot risk buying a product, however exclusive, from a web page without
considering a number of prior considerations.
The website from which you are going to buy
must be clear, simple and contain all the necessary information so that you can
be sure of its reliability. One aspect to consider could be, for example, the
presence on the page of Safe Purchase Certificates or Online Trust Seal, a
signal that lets you know that the website in question has a system that
guarantees the security of all transactions. The fact that the page has a green
padlock is also another symbol of security for the user. This ensures that you
have a verified identity and therefore payments can be made in complete safety.
In addition, there are other formal aspects
that distinguish trustworthy web pages from potential scammers. Spelling
mistakes in texts, poor organization of elements causing a chaotic appearance
or poor appearance, with a poor-quality interface that does not allow users to
navigate easily and effectively, can be symptoms that this website is not
trustworthy.
It is also worth looking at the possibilities
of contacting the seller. The website should have a consultation system that
allows you to submit questions to get answers from customer service. You must
know who to contact if you have a request or complaint, so the website must
include the company's contact information, such as its location or who is
responsible.
Tips for buying insurance
After we have seen the advantages and
disadvantages of shopping online and what to do to find out if the website is
safe and allows you to make such purchases without any problems, we will give you
some tips to ensure that your purchases are in internet confident. It is desirable
to follow these tips every time you make an online purchase in order to avoid
becoming a victim of scams and to be able to fully enjoy your purchase.
Prepare the device, mobile phone or computer
with which you intend to buy. This involves installing an antivirus that will
eliminate the possibility that a virus on the shopping website could collect
your information and trick you, in addition to installing secure payment methods.
When creating an account on the store site,
avoid using simple passwords so that no one can access it. It is recommended
that you mix uppercase and lowercase letters with numbers and do not include
birthdays or names of close relatives, and use different passwords for each
account.
Always buy from famous brands that you trust
and that you mentioned earlier. By searching the Internet, you will be able to
find links or opinions from other customers to help you decide whether to buy
or not, although you should not rely on one source of information.
Examine the webpage you are about to purchase
from and pay particular attention to its URL. If the address starts with HTTPS
and there is a padlock, it means that the information it transfers is encrypted
so it can be bought safely, and also make sure that the store information is
visible online: administrator, contact, or location. You should also pay
attention to its appearance, as spelling mistakes or a chaotic, too simple or
poorly organized interface can give you clues as to whether it is a scam.
If possible, use a card or account for
exclusive use to make online payments, and preferably a credit rather than a
debit account, as they have legal protections that enable you to combat
fraudulent use. If you only use your account for this, we will make sure that
all your money is not stolen in the event of fraud.
Please make sure your internet connection is
secure before paying. Also, use secure payment methods to avoid unpleasant
surprises when shopping.
Do not use a public Wi-Fi connection to make
payments as it offers no security guarantees and your information is easier to
steal.
Watch out for big deals, like big discounts.
If the offer is too good, this is probably just a very visible message for you
to fall for a scam.
Review your banking transactions after the
purchase to ensure that only the price of the purchased product has been
debited and that there are no suspicious transactions in your bank account.
Know your rights. You can cancel your purchase
within 14 days after it without explaining and free of charge. You should make
sure you can use this option and monitor the seller's reaction to it to find
out if it is a scam.
