Online shopping is one of the most convenient ways to get products you desire. It has become a habit for a lot of people all over the world. 

The coronavirus pandemic that struck the world in early 2020 further increased people's dependence on online shopping. Only essential workers like food and health services were licensed to move around during the lockdown period.

There are still those who do not believe in the process, and who can blame them? Some online vendors have proven to be somewhat unreliable and inefficient. 

There have been many cases when people ordered and didn't get what was advertised, or they did, and it arrived after many days after the promised arrival time. In 2020, the Federal Trade Commission received 2.2 million fraud reports from consumers, with online shopping being the second-most common fraud category. 

It is common knowledge that every development has its pitfalls, and it is unrealistic to expect online shopping to be a flawless system. However, if you are aware of the risks and follow these tips, you will be able to avoid online scams and enjoy the benefits of shopping online. 

Five tips for online shoppers

• Payments – While making payments for an item or service online, it is advisable to pay using credit and debit cards instead of wired transfer. This is because the customer is protected by law when there is a dispute over the item or service. 

• Price Comparison –  This is one of the common ways people run into trouble while online shopping purchases cheap commodities. Before you attempt to buy an item from a store, you should research its market price. 

If the price displayed on the online shop is a lot less than the market price, it is very likely a scam or a counterfeit, so you should refrain from buying.

• Secure Payments – It is unfortunate, but the world we live in is not safe. This not only applies to the physical environs but also our online space. Hackers are constantly trying to spy on people's internet activities in an attempt to steal information. It is also common for people to fall prey to online shopping scams on public networks. 

Before inputting your card details while trying to pay for something online, download or connect to a VPN that will encrypt your connection. This tool will encrypt the connection between your device and the Internet, preventing cyber-criminals from gaining access to you and stealing your financial information.

• Shop Policy – Before buying from a vendor or new shop online, make sure to check the policy that the seller operates. Some insist on a no-refund policy, meaning even if you get substandard items, you cannot return them or get your money back. 

Another policy is pay-on-delivery, which is highly advised, so you check your package's status before making payment.

• Reliable shops – Before patronizing a relatively new vendor, research the store, try to find and reach out to people who have previously patronized them to get an idea of the seller's competence and the quality of items sold. Should the seller come up short, refrain from buying their goods.

Conclusion

Although it does not feel the same as physical shopping, online shopping offers a degree of comfort, allowing you to buy things at your convenience. Make sure you follow the tips above for an enjoyable and safe shopping experience.