How to shop online: a basic guide

Online commerce opens up a world of incredible possibilities for the consumer: irresistible deals, rare and obscure items, a practically unlimited variety. Not to mention, of course, the comfort and convenience that the ability to shop without leaving home can represent.

But for those who have never tried shopping on the internet – a number that is getting smaller every year – this can be a somewhat confusing world. There is a set of basic concepts that, while not complicated or difficult to learn, are also not necessarily intuitive for someone encountering them for the first time.

What follows is our guide to the essentials for getting started in online commerce.

What you will need

These are typically the only things you will need to make a purchase online.

• Internet access (obviously).
• An email address, so that you can register on online stores, receive receipts, etc.
• An electronic payment method (usually a bank card).

1. Finding the right store

As you choose among the immense variety of stores found online, the criterion you should never lose sight of is security. There are several precautions you can and should take to avoid problems. In general, for example, larger and better-known stores offer more guarantees of legitimacy, so you should pay special attention to signs of danger on unknown websites. Read this other article of ours on the main things to watch out for.

A useful idea is to look online for the stores where you already usually shop: a large portion of physical stores also sell online. In stores you do not yet know, two of the most important things to check are the returns policy, in case there is a problem with the purchase, and other customers' comments on online review sites.

The parcel delivery service of InPost, for example, received a rating of 4.7 stars on the TrustPilot website; a reflection of our ongoing dedication to customer satisfaction.

2. Choosing the product

The internet opens up immense possibilities for comparison between, for example, prices or product variety in different stores. After finding the product you want in the store you chose, there should be an option to “buy”, “add to cart” or similar, which you should select.

3. The shopping cart

Typically, you will see near the top of the website the symbol of a shopping cart or basket. Clicking that symbol takes you to a list of all the products you have chosen. On that page, you will have the option to remove items you have decided not to buy or add others. Then, to complete the purchase, choose the “next”, “payment” or equivalent option.

4. Delivery

With stores like Vinted or Shein, you have the opportunity to choose to receive the parcel through InPost, opting for delivery to a pickup point at the time of purchase. InPost pickup points are located in conventional retail stores that work in partnership with us. When the parcel becomes available at the point you chose, we send you an alert. After that, you just need to go pick up the parcel at a time convenient for you.

This type of shipping offers several advantages over conventional home delivery: in terms of speed and transport costs, potential delays that are avoided and even environmental sustainability. Visit us to discover more about how to send and receive parcels with InPost.

5. Payment

At the time of payment, security is, for obvious reasons, more important than ever. Make sure the page address starts with “https” to ensure the connection is secure, and consider using a virtual card as an extra security measure. Review once again our security tips.

When paying, also check the amounts again. In many stores, there may be additional costs, for example related to shipping or fees, which only become visible at the end.

Finally, after entering the necessary payment information, you should receive a notification that the purchase is complete and, often by email, the receipt.

And that’s all: a fairly simple process, but one that is the key to a thousand doors. Happy shopping!