Online shopping may be the most useful feature to come out of the internet so far. After all, it’s convenient, offers better prices and flexible payment options, and you don’t have to get off the sofa to find great products.

However, for beginners, it can be challenging to find the right online shops while steering clear of scams.

In this guide to getting started with online shopping, we’ll cover the essentials, like how to:

• Choose the right vendor

• Stay safe while online shopping

• Find the right items

• Add items to your basket

• Ensure everything arrives on time

• Safely and securely pay for your items online

If any of that sounds confusing, don’t worry — we’ll explain on the way.

How to shop online: 6 steps to get started

Being able to shop online means you can shop at any time, at multiple stores around the world, and can receive almost any item you need right to your doorstep. All you need is a good broadband connection, and to follow these steps:

1. Choose a trustworthy online shop

Just like you wouldn’t shop at a brick-and-mortar store with broken windows and missing stock, it’s important to choose a secure online store as well. Safe websites often have a padlock in the browser bar, or when you click ‘view site information’ in the top left of the bar. 

To determine if you’ll find quality goods, you should also look at the reviews. Don’t just look at reviews on the store website, but use third parties like Trustpilot to see experiences from real customers.

The sites below are known for their high product quality. Most also offer buyer protection for certain payments, so your money will be refunded if you don’t receive your order:

• John Lewis — For high-quality products across homeware, fashion, and technology departments

• Amazon — For almost any product, from food to clothes, books and electronics

• Marks & Spencer — For clothing, food, or home goods

• ASOS — For clothing and shoes

• Currys — For electronics and household appliances

• Boots — For anything you’d usually buy at the pharmacy

Depending on the vendor you choose, you may need to create an account on their site before making purchases. If that’s the case, be sure to use a strong password and email address you can easily access. 

2. Stay safe while you shop online

If you don’t take steps to protect yourself online, you can run into some nasty risks, such as:

• Identity theft

• Lost money

• Data breaches

• Misplaced products that don’t arrive

• Low quality products you can’t use

To combat this, you should always install antivirus software such as Norton™ 360 Premium to keep your devices safe from malware and viruses. You should also:

Use a secure vendor

Aside from looking for the padlock on the browser bar, a simple way to tell if a website is secure is to look at the URL. If it’s safe to use, the URL will start with ‘https’ — the S stands for ‘secure’.

Always check the reviews

A quick Google search will usually tell you if an online shop is secure or not. Avoid trusting reviews on the website itself, as some fake stores will simply make up reviews and show these as if they are real.

Instead, look for reviews on trustworthy third-party sites, or check the reviews for individual items if you’re using a marketplace like Amazon.

(Source: Trustpilot)

If you’re using a marketplace like Ebay or Etsy, you should also check the reviews for the seller you’re considering, and if possible send them a message before you buy from them. This will help you decide if they are trustworthy or a potential scammer. 

Use a trustworthy payment service

When you use a trustworthy payment service, it adds an extra layer of protection between you and any vendor who may not be genuine.

For example, PayPal offers buyer protection in the event that you never receive the item you ordered. Ebay, Etsy and Amazon are also known for their speedy customer service and refunds in the rare case that an order doesn’t arrive or you receive the wrong item.

3. Search for the right items

Most websites make it easy to find what you’re looking for, with a search bar and filters for sizes, colour, and sorting by price.

(Source: Amazon)

The product description will typically include dimensions and sizing information, as well as describing the material and care instructions so you can avoid any unpleasant surprises when your product arrives. It’s also worth checking the returns policy before you make any decisions, just in case there are any mistakes in the product description, or if the product isn’t as you expected.

Finally, always check the product reviews to see if other people find the product to be satisfactory — or if they advise steering clear.

4. Add items to your cart or basket

Once you’ve decided what item is best, you’ll need to select the colour, size, and quantity you’ll need. Sometimes you can save money by subscribing to receive products regularly. 

Once you’re sure you’ve selected the right item, simply add it to your basket and you’re 80% there. 

5. Select your shipping times and preferences

With your items in your cart, it’s time to check out. You’ll need to add your shipping address and shipping method, as well as review your order details.

If you need your item by a certain date, it’s worth checking when it’s due to arrive. Standard shipping typically takes five days or more, while many sites offer expedited shipping within one to two business days, usually for an extra charge.

You’ll typically receive communication when your order:

• Is confirmed and being prepared by the shop

• Ships and is on its way to you

• Is due to arrive

6. Pay for your items online

There are several ways to pay for your items online:

• Credit/debit cards — These are the most common form of payment for online purchases, as they offer a good mix of convenience and security.

• PayPal — This digital wallet enables you to safely store your payment information and buy items without giving your card information directly to a retailer.

• Gift cards — Many online retailers accept gift cards as a form of payment, but these are often subject to certain rules and qualifications before you can use them.

The benefits of online shopping

Why should you choose online shopping over visiting typical brick-and-mortar stores in person? For some, it’s a case of not being able to leave the house, or not having time to visit stores within their normal opening hours. Most people choose online shopping for the following reasons:

• It’s convenient — You don’t need to leave your house, commute to the nearest shop, or deal with long lines and frustrating crowds. 

• It offers a wide product selection and easy comparisons — You can easily find good deals on exactly the item you’re looking for. If you’re not sure, you can compare prices and reviews for similar products. This also makes it great for finding suitable gifts on any occasion. 

• There is no closing time — Most online stores offer 24/7 availability, so you can browse early in the morning or late into the night. Online shopping will always fit your schedule.

• It’s fast — you can find high-quality items and checkout in minutes. When you factor in at-home and next-day delivery options, things get even quicker.

• You’re usually guaranteed quality — If you check reviews, select well-rated brands, and shop at well-known websites, you’ll be more likely to choose a product you’ll enjoy for years to come.

• It’s good for your budget — It’s easy to compare prices, sort products by price (low to high) and filter your searches to find the best discounts or sales.

Shop securely online with Community Fibre

Ready to get started shopping online? To do so safely, you’ll need a secure broadband connection and best-in-class antivirus software.

That’s why we offer a bundle of full-fibre broadband with Norton™ 360 Premium. This offers bank-grade encryption to protect your data and digital privacy from cybercriminals on both home and public WiFi, as well as download/upload speeds of up to 3 Gbps — more than fast enough for most online shops.

Check availability in London, Surrey, and Sussex.