You are scrolling through Instagram on your way back from work and come across an ad displaying a really nice pair of shoes.
You remember you need a new pair for your friend’s wedding this weekend, so you click on the ad to find out more.
You are taken to an online shopping platform. Because you don’t shop online often, you don’t really know what to do. You stumble around until you find the price, and it’s quite expensive.
You’d like to get it cheaper somewhere else, but you can only find it online and don’t know where to go. Even if you were to pay the asking price, you’re not sure if this shopping platform is safe either.
If this sounds like you, or if you’re in a similar situation, worry no more.
With this guide from ZOLARUX, your one-way ticket to smarter and safer online shopping, you can learn key tips and tricks, such as where to get the best deals for the best prices, what to look out for when shopping online.
And most importantly, how to reduce the risk of losing your money or getting scammed to zero with ZOLARUX.
What Is Online Shopping, and Why Is It So Popular?
Before diving into those key tips and tricks, let’s take a look at what online shopping is all about and why it has become so popular.
Gone are the days of waiting in long queues or searching for the right product from store to store in the scorching sun.
Now, from the comfort of your home, you can explore countless products, read reviews online, make a choice, place an order, and have it delivered to your doorstep.
As of 2023, 2.64 billion people worldwide were shopping online (Source: Capital One Shopping). If 2.64 billion people are partaking in online shopping, there must be something really special about it.
What Is It?
Apart from the incredible convenience it provides, online shopping gives you access to a global market.
It also offers exclusive shopping deals such as promotions, seasonal discounts, and discount codes that make products cheaper than their standard market price.
Getting Started: Choosing the Right Platforms
As a beginner, one of the first steps in your online shopping journey is choosing the right platforms. With the variety of platforms out there, it can be difficult as a beginner to pick the right one.
Here are the key things to look out for when choosing the right online shopping platform and making a purchase online:
1. Reputation and Trustworthiness
When picking a platform to shop on, it’s best to go for well-known and reputable platforms like Jumia, Amazon, and other major platforms.
Check reviews and ratings of lesser-known platforms by reading reviews from other users online, or you can use scam-checking websites like Trustpilot.
2. Product Information
Before making a purchase, read through the product information carefully to understand what you are buying. Pay attention to details like color, size, and specifications.
If something isn’t clear, do not hesitate to contact the vendor selling the product on the platform or the platform itself.
Check the images displayed, especially those uploaded by users in the reviews and comments, to avoid disappointment (also known as the “what I ordered vs. what I got” scenario).
3. Sketchy Promos and Discounts
Avoid platforms with promotions and discounts that seem too good to be true to avoid getting scammed and putting your financial security at risk.
Click here to find out how to source the best promotions and discounts. (Link to blog post on this topic)
4. Reviews and Ratings
Always read customer reviews and check ratings on any product you are interested in on any shopping platform. Look for detailed reviews that discuss both pros and cons.
Pay special attention to this if you are on a shopping platform that has multiple vendors. Check the vendor’s credibility through the ratings and reviews given to the vendor on that platform.
Find out the secret to reading between the lines of product reviews here. (Link to blog post on this topic)
5. Return and Refund Policies
Understand the platform’s return and refund policies in case of any issues. Ensure that you can return the product and request a refund if necessary by reading and understanding their policies.
Avoid platforms with no return and refund policies, except if it’s a perishable product.
6. Shipping or Delivery Costs and Times
Check the delivery fees and time frames. Sometimes low-priced products have high delivery costs or long delivery times.
Always ensure you are okay with the delivery time frame, and take note of the delivery fees before making payments.
Always ensure you are in frequent contact with customer support during the delivery process.
You can find out more on how to deal with delivery fees here. (Link to blog on this topic)
7. Customer Support
Ensure the platform offers good customer support before making a purchase, as customer support is crucial if you encounter issues with your product down the line and require a return or refund.
It is also important if you have queries about the product you plan on ordering or need real-time information on your product after you’ve made an order and it’s in the process of delivery.
8. Shop on Secure Websites
Ensure that the website uses secure payment methods like credit cards or payment services like PayPal.
Look for “https” in the website URL before inputting important details. Ensure you use strong passwords that aren’t easily guessable when creating accounts on these platforms.
Find out more on how to have a secure shopping experience here. (Link to blog post on this topic)
9. Monitor Your Bank Statements
Regularly check your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized transactions. If you notice any unauthorized transactions, contact the platform immediately.
If you are not attended to adequately, do well to contact your bank immediately.
How to Shop Without Worries (The Most Important Part)
Even with the aforementioned qualities to look out for when choosing a shopping platform and shopping online, it can still be difficult for a beginner to navigate the world of online shopping.
For example, what do you do when you need to make a refund and it’s proving difficult due to lack of knowledge or experience in dealing with such issues? Or how can you ensure your product is safely delivered to you?
What if I told you there was a simple way to alleviate all your worries and guarantee a quality shopping experience?
You want to know how, right?
Well, all that is possible with ZOLARUX, a platform that does all the shopping for you.
Worried you could pick the wrong platform?
ZOLARUX has a team of experts ready to scour the entire internet for you and find your desired product at the best prices.
If the product isn’t available online, we have connections with vendors locally who can get your desired product delivered straight to you—all at the best price.
Do you need good product reviews?
For each product ZOLARUX recommends to you, it comes with a detailed review of its pros and cons from customers, manufacturers, and vendors.
With all that information at your fingertips, you’ll never be misled into making a wrong purchase.
What about our Refund and Return Policies?
If you use ZOLARUX and make an order, and there’s an issue that affects the functionality of the product, we offer a 12 to 24-hour refund and a heartfelt apology letter for wasting our esteemed customers’ time.
Want Good Customer Support?
We provide around-the-clock, customer-centric support that is ready to assist and handle any issues that might arise when you make an order.
We also provide real-time information on the delivery of your order and will answer every query you have.
If you can’t find the product you have in mind, simply request it on ZOLARUX, and we will find it for you. Our customer support will notify you immediately once it’s found.
What’s the Difference Between Us and Other Shopping Platforms?
Take a look at this comparison table to see how we stack up against other platforms.
So, What Are You Waiting For?
Click here and make an order today to enjoy a quality, worry-free, and customer-centric shopping experience.
