Over the last five or six years, online shopping has really taken off in Pakistan. Today, thousands of retailers are setting up their online stores and are selling everything from groceries to clothes, electronics, and all kinds of other items. In fact, I believe that any business that doesn’t have an online presence will have a difficult time competing in the near future.
Now, since online shopping is the way to the future, eventually, almost everyone has to get used to it. However, there are still many people in Pakistan who are a bit reluctant when it comes to ordering products online.
Therefore, today I will tell you some easy and incredible tips that can help you become an online shopping pro in Pakistan, so read on to learn more.
Use a secure connection:
Online shopping and even the internet, for that matter, are somewhat new concepts in Pakistan, and most people don’t know much about maintaining their security when they are online. However, identity theft is a real threat, and your sensitive credit card details can be at risk if you use an unsecured connection during online shopping.
For instance, it is better to place all your orders from home on a password-protected network. Don’t use public networks, like your university Wi-Fi, free Wi-Fi on metro stations, or an open network at a coffee shop or restaurant to place online orders.
Furthermore, remember not to ever share sensitive information like your pin code or passwords via email or on a call. No reputable online store will ask you to do so, and if they do, it is probably a scam.
Go for trusted brands and websites:
There are a lot of online stores operating in Pakistan, and a lot more are going to pop up in the near future. However, not all of them provide the same level of service. Some of these stores are obviously more reliable than others.
Therefore it is important to shop at credible brands and stores and avoid websites that are known for bad service. The best way to do this is to check reviews before you buy a product, especially if it’s your first time ordering from a website.
If you are trying to open an Ecommerce store in Pakistan, you should make sure that your website appears legitimate and makes people feel safe. This is one of the most important factors that will help your online presence grow in the future.
Stay on the lookout for discounts:
If you want to become an online shopping pro, you need to always be on the lookout for discounts. Getting your products for lower prices means that you can shop more, and who doesn’t want that?
Therefore, look for online flash sales, discount coupons, and promo codes, which can help you get the products you want at the lowest possible price.
Don’t forget to compare prices:
When you go out shopping, you usually don’t buy the first item that you see, do you? You compare prices at different stores and find the deal that gets you the most bang for your buck.
Therefore, you should just buy a product at the first online store that you visit. Look for the same product at other stores as well, and compare prices and quality before making a decision. This will help you save money and become a pro at online shopping.
Keep an eye on those shipping charges:
Have you ever been in a situation where you thought you knew the price of the product, but still when it was delivered, there were some extra charges? Well, you probably forgot to consider the delivery fees.
Therefore, don’t be too eager to check out your shopping cart and read the shipping policy thoroughly. Check the shipping prices and consider them when you are looking for the best possible deal.
Check the Warranty and Cashback Policy before you make a purchase:
Online shopping may be on the rise in Pakistan, but it isn’t as reliable as it is in other countries. Therefore, there is a decent chance that you aren’t going to get what you expected, especially if you are ordering from a website that doesn’t have a great rep.
Even if you are ordering from a trusted store, there is always a chance that you don’t like the product once it is in your hand. Therefore, it is important that you check out the cashback or return policy of the store you are buying from.
Most reputable online stores have a customer-friendly return policy. However, some can even refuse to return your product. Therefore, consider the return policy before you make a purchase.
Choose the most reliable and convenient delivery process:
Depending on the quantity of the product you have ordered and your location, the delivery process can vary. However, it is best to glance through the delivery policy of the online store so that you can avoid problems and unexpected delays.
Furthermore, it is common for packages to get lost when they are on their way to your location; therefore, choose a store that uses a reliable delivery service and preferably also provides order tracking.
Check the products as soon as they are delivered:
When your product is delivered, make sure to check it as soon as possible. Many online stores display very good pictures of their product, and when you finally receive them, they are nothing like what you had expected. Therefore, checking the items quickly allows you to find any problems and avail the return or refund policy in time.
Check the website’s Privacy Policy:
When you visit an online store, you should make sure to check out their privacy policy. This is especially important if you are sharing your personal and financial information on the website, like your credit card number, address, and phone number.
Fake online stores can be used for data phishing; therefore, be careful, and protect your private information.
Don’t forget to check social media for sales and deals:
If you want to shop online like a pro and find the best deals, you need to follow your favorite brands on social media. These brands usually announce flash sales on their social media pages, and following them allows you to avail every discount that they offer.