Smart Online Shopping Tips for Bargain Hunters

Smart online shopping tips for bargain hunters

It will come as no surprise to anyone that online shopping is big business these days; retail e-commerce sales in the US were worth an incredible $396.7-billion in 2016, and are forecast to grow to as much as $684-billion by 2020. Far from the novelty of online shopping wearing off consumers are more eager than ever to purchase products via the Internet, with an estimated three quarters of web users doing just that within the last year. Indeed, it would appear that consumers are now doing most of their shopping online, with some 51% of people admitting to splurging on the web.

The increasing popularity of mobile technology has gone a long way towards facilitating this shift in spending habits, with market experts predicting that the mobile market’s share of retail sales could be as much as 48% by 2020. Convenience and accessibility are no doubt to thank for such a retail revolution – and its dominance looks set to trounce the retail markets even further in the coming years.

Now we’ve established the facts, how do you make the most of online shopping? Well, that’s why you’re all here, right? Whether you access online shopping via ‘conventional’ methods such as computer or laptop device, or via a tablet, smartphone, or mobile computer or console, there are plenty of bargain-hunting tips you cannot afford to miss out on. Gathered below are just six of those tips, which could be set to save you more than you might expect…

1. Let the bargains come to you

Each time you shop, be sure to check out the retailer’s introductory offers and discounts; e-commerce sites will often deduct a certain percentage from your bill if it’s your first visit, perhaps keen to engage your attention and encourage your custom. Rather than entering the site as a guest, explore the benefits of signing up for an account. They may just be worth your while.

2. Keep an eye on the sales calendar

Rather than relying on retailers or your own powers of deduction, be sure to sign up to a sales calendar, such as the Australian Sales Calendar. These dedicated websites keep comprehensive lists of each important holiday and sales event occurring throughout the year, boosting consumers’ chances of bagging that bargain. They’ll even notify you in advance of events so you can prepare your purchasing finger.

3. Befriend your favorite online retailers

If you’re adept at using social media it’s well worth adding, and ‘liking’ the pages run by your favorite retailers, particularly in the run up to the holiday season. These pages often run competitions and customer incentive schemes that are exclusive to social media uses, so keep those peepers peeled. Oh, now is also a great time to sign up to receive emailed newsletters if you find yourself frequenting some stores more than others. Regular shoppers are often rewarded for their loyalty.

4. Find an app for that

Did you know that there are couponing apps out there that will automatically scour the Internet for the best discounts and add them to the applicable items in your shopping basket? The world is becoming more and adept at online shopping, it would seem. It’s also a good idea to download an app such as Lyst, which will notify you whenever your favorite items go on sale, and a cash back app such as Ebates.

5. Abandon your shopping cart

While this trick won’t work for every retailer all of the time, it’s one that’s worth trying at least every once in a while – particularly if you’re really keen to purchase particular items and don’t have the budget for them. Once you’ve filled your shopping cart exit your browser window, without cancelling your purchase. You may discover that the retailer is keen to tempt you back to finish that purchase with a hastily written email, or that they add discounts when you return to shop days later.

6. Don’t be afraid to ask for a discount

When all else fails, ask. After all, what have you really got to lose? If you can prove that you’ve found an item cheaper elsewhere, let the retailer know, Similarly, if you’re about to make a purchase and fancy being cheeky, strike up a live chat with a customer representative and enquire about discounts. What’s the worst that could happen?

So, there you have it, a comprehensive, if not exhaustive guide to online shopping for the unquenchable bargain hunters out there. Online shopping is an incredibly convenient, and rewarding way to hunt out the very best deals. You simply need to know where to look, and when, in order to bag those bargains.