Save money shopping
Are you an impulse buyer who can’t resist a timely sale? Or maybe you’re just looking for ways to get more of the things you want without blowing your budget. Here are some hacks you can use to save money while you’re shopping online.
1. Sign up for newsletters and notifications
When you visit a retail website while you’re shopping online, the first thing that usually pops up is an invitation to join that retailer’s email newsletter. It’s a way for them to keep you updated on new products and services while building a fanbase of loyal customers.
It’s extremely important for retailers; they’re usually willing to shell out a chunky discount if you sign up. So, go ahead and drop your email address, and you’ll likely be rewarded with an attractive discount on your next purchase.
2. Fill your cart and wait
Here’s where a little patience goes a long way. If you’re shopping online, try to resist the urge to buy the items in your shopping cart immediately. Just fill your cart and then log off or close the browser. If you’ve signed up with your email address, the retailer will likely send you a message reminding you to complete the transaction.
They’ll also throw in a discount just to get your sale. It’s just like walking through a crowded street market and pretending that you’re not interested. The seller will likely throw in something nice to close the deal.
Related: Are Costco caskets bought online for real?
3. Refer a friend
Online shopping retailers appreciate customer loyalty. According to market research from Bazaarvoice.com, 53% of online shoppers prefer user-generated content from friends on social media to professional marketing ads.
Online retailers know that you are their best advertisement source, and they’ll bend over backward to make you a brand advocate. Most of their sales will come from repeat shoppers, and current research shows that buyer/user recommendations are powerful marketing tools. So, be on the lookout for special deals and discounts when you leave a review or refer a friend to that retailer’s site.
4. Buy during the sale period
Here’s another reason to sign up for that pesky newsletter from your favorite retailer. Online shopping portals use their newsletters to notify you of seasonal sales, product launches, and other special buying periods. Often, their prices are drastically reduced for these sale periods.
You could save money when shopping online when you shop during the sale period. Just try to resist the temptation to buy more, even though retailers are counting on you to do just that.
5. Seek out competitors
The e-commerce space is flooded with competition, and that’s a good thing for you, the consumer. That means retailers need to work harder for your sale. With more competition, e-commerce retailers need to provide additional incentives to attract buyers. It’s no longer good enough to offer a great product or service since so many companies do the same thing.
This can sometimes translate to more money in your pocket. So shop around with keywords online to find the best deals on products and services you like.
6. Look for shipping and handling discounts
It might not seem like much, but you can save money when shopping online just by getting discounted or free shipping and handling. You’ve probably already felt the burn of selecting a product or service for a sweet price only to be spoiled by the hefty shipping and handling costs.
Depending on the e-commerce site and its distribution location, you could pay a substantial percentage here. It helps to shop locally or look for online retailers who offer shipping and handling discounts. It could save you lots of money over time.
7. Avoid impulse buys
One of the best ways to save money when shopping online is to exercise some good old-fashioned self-control. Retailers are counting on you to make impulse buys when shopping online. Impulse buys are last-minute clicks on catchy pop-ups like when you’re stuck in the checkout line at a supermarket and can’t resist the candy at the register.
These are likely items you really don’t need or want. It’s hard to resist when social media is flooding your timeline with popups and sale ads and is virtually reading your mind. It helps to know what you’re in the market for and shop specifically for that thing. Everything else is background noise.
Wrapping Up
As you can see, the shopper has unique leverage in the e-commerce space. You can save money when you shop online just by using some of these helpful tips. Sign up for newsletters and notifications. You’ll get discounts just for joining, and you’ll be notified when special sales are on the horizon.
Everybody has the power of influence in the new e-commerce market, and you can reap benefits by referring your friends to your favorite shopping portals. Finally, exercise some willpower and hold off on buying. Fill your shopping cart and wait until retailers offer discounts for completing the sale. Now, go forth and enjoy your online shopping experience.
