There are multiple benefits to shopping online and it has been a form of retail therapy for many of us over many years. There are many benefits to shopping online; it allows any consumer access to brands or designers that may not have a traditional bricks & mortar store within close proximity (hello international brands), online shopping also makes it easier to access specific items or find sizes that sell out quickly in-store, and of course you can shop 24/7 from the comfort of their home (yes even in track pants with a glass of wine).

However online shopping can be an anxious experience for some, especially those that don’t frequent in the habit regularly. Questions such as “How do you know your new purchases will fit?” or “Will your credit card information be safe from scammers?” often come about when online shopping is mentioned. So to elliviate the stress of online shopping I have put together a guide that can help guarantee happy shopping.

Know What You Want to Buy:

To make smart purchases and avoid shoppers regret know what you want/need to buy. This could mean making a list of items you want (or better yet need) so you know what to look for and don’t get side tracked by the sale section (remember a bargain is only a bargain if you actually wear it… more than once). Look in magazines for inspiration or through your wardrobe to find any “gaps” that need filling.

Make the Search Bar Your Friend:

There is nothing more frustrating than looking through several hundred dresses to find the particular style you are looking for so to reduce overwhelm use the search bar to find the items you are looking for. Reduce confusion and overwhelm by selecting the size or size range you are after, style, length or colour. This will also save you time and losing yourself down the rabbit hole of mindless scrolling.

Use the Size Guide:

One of the biggest concerns when shopping online is whether the items will fit once they arrive. To find the right size use the size guide provided on the website as well as the items’ description. The item description will often include information of what size the model is wearing and whether the item runs small or large. Then make use of both the size conversions (such as Aus to UK) as well as measurements to make the most informed decision of what will fit.

If you are between sizes then next resort to the type of material the item is made out of – if the item as stretch then you can often choose the smaller option, however if there is no stretch go for the other size.

Bonus tip: if you are still undecided of which size to buy and the site allows for free returns buy both sizes are return the one that doesn’t fit. Just make sure you read the sites’ return policy.

Large online retailers like The Iconic, ASOS, Far Fetch, Net-a-porter and Matches Fashion have great descriptions about fit per each clothing item.

Check the Returns Policy:

Questions to ask yourself when reading a sites’ return policy: Will it cost me anything to return unwanted items? How do I return unwanted items – via post or in store? How long do I have to return an item? Which items can and can not be returned?

By knowing this information it can help you make an informed decision about whether you should purchase that item.

It is becoming more common that large companies such as Zara, The Iconic, ASOS and most online luxury retailers offer free returns and exchanges which can be done via post or in store (if available) which is great as it means no extra cost to the customer. 30 days is often also offered meaning there is plenty of time to post back any unwanted items.

Return policies can change though and are different between different companies and even items stocked on the same site so it’s important to read it before confirming a purchase.

Investigate Shipping Times & Costs:

Most companies will offer free shipping above a certain limit so be aware of each sites’ own policy. Zara for instance offers free shipping for orders above $75 dollars or free in store pick up for any amount.

As well as knowing the shipping costs it’s important to know how long the shipping will take to arrive (especially important if you need you item for a particular date/special event). Zara’s free shipping for amounts over $75 includes next day delivery for Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra, Brisbane and Perth, while in store pick up can take between 1-4 days depending on location & a stores’ stock levels. The Iconic can offer same day delivery in Sydney and Melbourne when ordered before 3pm & 10.30am respectively.

Pay via Secure Methods (Such as Paypal):

Along with choosing the correct size secure payment is one of the highest concerns when shopping online. To reduce the risk of card scammers always use a secure payment method such as Paypal. Paypal keeps your bank or credit card information secure and private from the store you are buying from and therefore should always be used as your number one payment method. To know whether an online site has legitimacy check for payment methods such as Paypal as well as looking at the web address – if the web address begins with https (rather than http) than the site is secure and your data is protected. Also knowing the brand goes a long way to know whether they have a good reputation, which is easy to determine with large companies such as Zara, Myer, David Jones, ASOS and The Iconic.

Happy shopping!