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Security and privacy
Security is far less of a problem than it appears if you ensure you only shop at websites that offer secure payment procedures (most do). Here we look at these procedures in more detail ....more
How to go about shopping online
Most high-street names now have a presence online. These shops and other well-known internet shopping sites are a good place to start. It's best to get used to buying online from a brand you already know and trust ....more
Why buy online?
It's little wonder, that new buyers quickly learn to love internet shopping. At the moment, the best deals on the Web are in clothes, books, CDs, DVDs, flights and holidays ....more
Security and privacy
Security is far less of a problem than it appears if you ensure you only shop at websites that offer secure payment procedures (most do). Here we look at these procedures in more detail.
These procedures ensure that before you send any credit or debit card details, you're moved to a secure part of the site where all the information sent over the Web is scrambled and protected.
You can check this has happened by ensuring there's a padlock sign in the bottom bar on your screen, and the site address has changed from one starting with 'http' to one starting with 'https'.
In fact, there are very few reports of card theft from well-known sites on the internet. If you want to pay by debit card, check with your bank first: some will offer protection but most will not. Always print out details of your order and payment and keep them safe.
Once consumers become used to shopping online, their concern often shifts from security to privacy. All online shops gather information about you every time you shop by making what's called a cookie.
This is stored on your computer in a special file. They're the means by which a shop welcomes you by name next time you visit. You can erase them from your computer if you really object.
Much more worrying are some sites' tendencies to swap or sell your details to other shops. It's a good idea to find out what a shop policy is before you buy.
If you shop regularly online, it will in practice be impossible to stop your details and email address getting out and you will end up with uninvited emails. For further information, become BBC WebWise!
How to go about shopping online
Most high-street names now have a presence online. These shops and other well-known internet shopping sites are a good place to start. It's best to get used to buying online from a brand you already know and trust.
In this article - Finding your favourite shop couldn't be easier Before you buy Ten tips before you buy
Finding your favourite shop couldn't be easier
Simply search for it under its own name, adding 'www' at the start and either '.com' or '.co.uk' at the end. It's worth trying both: boots.com for example isn't 'Boots the chemist'. If this doesn't work, most search engines and internet shopping directories should be able to help. They'll also be the place to go if you're looking for a particular item.
Most online shops work on the 'shopping basket' principle. You tour the site and click when you see something you want. The item gets placed into a virtual shopping basket. When you want to pay for the items in the basket, you'll be asked to register.
You'll then be taken to a secure part of the site to give details of your credit or debit card. You're usually able to send a cheque instead, but this can mean a wait of a week or two, because the company will often want to clear the cheque before sending you the goods.
Before you buy - If you don't know the shop, check that it has a phone number and ring to find out its address so you can contact the company if necessary. Look for ones that are part of an independent approval scheme such as TrustUK. These are companies that have signed up to particular standards.
Check the shop's policy on security and privacy. Good companies are likely to have privacy statements on their websites.
Be sure you know what's being sold, the total price, the delivery date, the return and cancellation policy, and the terms of any guarantee.
Ten tips before you buy - Pay by credit card because this may give you some additional protection. Only use debit cards when you're dealing with shops you know you can trust. When giving out these details, always ensure you're using a secure site.
Do some real-world research as well as internet research to compare prices. Internet prices may not always be the cheapest.
Print out your order and keep any terms and conditions in a safe place along with the company's postal address and telephone number.
Don't let your common sense and shopping skills desert you when shopping online. The same principles apply. Buy at your own speed, and get recommendations about sites from friends.
Check the company's policy on returning goods. If you've bought the item from a site abroad, you may find returning it costly.
Look out for loyalty schemes and email alerts where shops will contact you with bargains or new deals.
Be careful about spending too long surfing for a bargain - it can be addictive and costly.
Avoid early evening and lunchtime congestion when America wakes up and logs on the internet.
Keep any site you like in your 'favourites' so you can return to it quickly.
Why buy online?
It's little wonder, that new buyers quickly learn to love internet shopping. At the moment, the best deals on the Web are in clothes, books, CDs, DVDs, flights and holidays.
Advantages - Buying online does have a number of potential advantages: Price: items are usually cheaper on the Web because warehouse and staff costs are lower, and because online shops want to attract and keep customers.
Convenience: shopping can be much easier on the internet. It can be done at home, at a convenient time and be very quick.
Wide choice: internet shopping allows you access to a wide range of shops all around the world, some of which don't exist on the high street. Online shops also usually carry a much larger stock.
Quick delivery: most internet sites are able to deliver within a few days.
Disadvantages - There are also some disadvantages buying online:
Delivery: many sites still use traditional carriers and don't deliver at night or at weekends. Often you end up having to go and collect from a depot.
Costs and returns: adding up transport and, if buying from outside the European Community, tax and duty, can often mean an item isn't as cheap as it seems. Returning a purchase often means having to parcel it up and take it down to the post office.
Cost of using the internet: although online access is getting cheaper, many internet providers still charge per minute. Browsing around a wide range of shops can take as long as a traditional shopping visit, so beware.
Buying more: because everything is at the click of a mouse, it's very easy to buy and spend more then you intended to.
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