Game-changing is how online shopping can be best described. First and foremost, it’s convenient and makes shopping easier. You can do it even from home. You can also browse through thousands of products at your pace and choose those that best fit your needs and budget.

But, on the other side of the story, shopping for essentials and even non-essentials online can be pretty tricky. There’s plenty to choose from — and as all transactions are made online, you’re at risk of security threats.

Here are 11 mistakes you need to avoid when shopping from any e-commerce platform.

Impulsively buying things. Know the three-day rule when it comes to shopping? Before checking out any order, wait for three days first and use that time to rethink if you really need to buy something. Whether it’s kitchen supplies or anything else, what you purchase should be what you just really need (or want).

Failing to stick to your budget. It’s always good to keep track of how much money you have. When you know exactly how much money you are left with after paying for everything that you plan to purchase, you can easily avoid impulse buys.

Not comparing different shops. Want to shop for home decor for your renovation project? Don’t always settle for the first store you saw online. Do your homework and look for at least three shops. This will help you better compare the products themselves and their pricing.

Forgetting to factor in shipping costs. The shipping cost is the price you pay for conveniently shopping for things from the comfort of your home. Always set aside a budget for this one. Or better yet, look for deals that offer free shipping fees.

Not looking into the product description and dimensions. Product descriptions are there to guide you about the specs and features of a certain commodity. Don’t just simply look at the image. Also, you have to check the product dimensions (especially if it’s clothing you’re buying).

Not checking return and exchange policies. Whether you’re shopping for home decor or essential household goods, checking your store’s return and exchange policies is a must. These really come in handy if you bought an unsatisfactory product (e.g., wrong size, damaged product) and you want to have it replaced as conveniently as possible.

Buying counterfeit products. Counterfeit products run aplenty in the digital space. It’s why it’s important to only buy from a legitimate seller. You can make the most of your money if you spend it on a quality product that will last for a long time.

Skipping reading what other consumers has to say. When doing online shopping, you have to look for reviews from other consumers. They’re the ones who have experienced first-hand how the product works and what it looks like in real life.

Shopping without availing discounts. Want to save on money when shopping online? Don’t underestimate the power of sales, discounts, and other deals offered by e-commerce platforms. Isn’t it great to score quality kitchen supplies at a fraction of their original price?

Not using your credit card. Online thieves can hack websites and get access to personal data (e.g., financial info) from consumers. Once they accomplish this, they can use your card to make unauthorized payments. The good thing about credit cards is that you can dispute charges and even withhold payments if proven that you did not order the product.

Shopping while connected to public wifi. To further safeguard your personal and sensitive information, be careful not to shop online if you’re using a public wifi connection. This type of connection is generally not secure, making you more prone to hackers.

Roberta Essentials: A Website Trusted By Online Shoppers

If you want to be a better online shopper, you have to avoid committing the mistakes as mentioned above. It also pays to do proper research on the products you’ll buy — what are their advantages, how do you properly use and maintain them, and what is in them that will help enhance your day-to-day life?

And if you’re looking for a website that offers informative content like that, Roberta Essentials is the page to visit. Read their carefully written blogs here: https://robertaessentials.com.