5 Biggest Online Shopping Mistakes  

Nowadays, shopping online has become a routine activity for most people. The convenience of being able to order from the comfort of your home without having to deal with parking or crowds is downright revolutionary. Yet, along with the convenience of online shopping can also come a lot of potential mistakes. Anytime you’re purchasing something that you don’t get to look at in person beforehand, things can get risky. Whether you’re choosing a sofa or buying clothes, here are some of the most common online shopping mistakes to avoid. 

Buying From a Fraudulent Site 

Just because something appears in Google search results doesn’t mean it’s a legitimate website. Before handing over your credit card information to just anyone, it’s important that you are sure that it’s a real site. Giving your credit card information to a fraudster could result in them draining your bank account if you use a debit card. Determining whether a website is real or not is usually as simple as a quick Google search. If anyone has had any negative experiences with the website before then, you’ll usually find a trail of breadcrumbs leading to negative reviews. 

Using Public Wi-Fi 

Even though doing a little online shopping over a public free Wi-Fi connection like Starbucks may seem like a great way to pass the time, it can be risky. Any time that you transmit your payment information over a public connection, you’re putting yourself at risk for someone stealing your sensitive data.   

You’re better off shopping at home on your own personal Wi-Fi network that is secured and protects you from intruders. 

Failing to Read the Fine Print 

Sometimes people get so carried away making their purchase that they forget to read the fine print. The fine print can be anything from the return policy to the item description. Make sure that you read carefully to understand any conditions or information that could be important to know before handing over your money. 

Not Reading Reviews 

Reviews aren’t always 100% accurate; however, they can be extremely helpful and lead you in the right direction. Obviously, it’s probably not a good idea to buy something that’s been given negative reviews by hundreds of people. Even though you should take individual reviews with a grain of salt, try to get a feel for what the overall opinion is.   

Not Looking For Coupon Codes 

There are all sorts of deals out there if you’re willing to look for them. Before making a purchase on a website, do a quick Google search to see if there are any coupon codes available. You may be surprised to find that there’s a coupon out there that could save you a significant amount of savings on your final purchase price!