Articles by "shopping strategy"
Showing posts with label shopping strategy. Show all posts

at March 07, 2018

What level of knowledge required to shop online effectively?



Do you want to get the best strategies to buy online? You will need to increase your knowledge in that field. You don’t need to be an Internet specialist to buy online successfully; you just need to know how, when, and where to find the best online shopping spot. I will do my best to help you reach this level.


PROVEN SECRETS

Meanwhile, let's discover the six proven steps to become a successful online buyer:



1. Know how to document yourself

You’ll need to know the best tips and tricks, the valuable documentation for an efficient online shopping. You can find other related posts on my blogs to help you in this step.


2. Go to the right online places to read the correct online documentation

This step requires knowing how to do an online search efficiently, how to choose and combine the right keywords to get the appropriate results.


3. Start practicing with a favorite web store that has an excellent online reputation.

Choose a popular and well-known online store to start practicing. These sites usually, offer a user-friendly interface that will help you follow the steps quickly.

4. Know the security best practices to protect your private and financial information. 


Security is one of the major issues related to online shopping. You should be aware of how to protect yourself and your computer from web intrusions.




5. Reserve the required time to increase your knowledge and practice

Learning how to shop online efficiently requires the time to practice and read. Take your time to get the best experience possible. 


I invite you to read my other posts and subscribe to my newsletters or my social networks to receive new effective tips to purchase online successfully.
 


6. Know the best strategy and periods  to Shop Online

A strategy is a must to be successful in everything in life, and it’s the same case for online shopping. At the end of this article, you will find some useful references to get the greatest knowledge to shop. I will do my best to help you master this knowledge.


 Where can you improve our online shopping knowledge?
Where can you improve our online shopping knowledge?

You can increase your knowledge by visiting webstores, their support section, and their online shopping communities if available. You can also visit forums and read the news to learn from others. You can also read my other articles related to online shopping strategies. By these ways, you will find practical information to become one of the best online buyers.

Why is it good to increase your online shopping knowledge?
Because you’ll save a lot of time, you’ll get more benefits, and you’ll also be able to assist others like I am helping you at this moment with this blog.



What else should you know to buy online effectively?
What should you know to buy online effectively?


Ultimately, it is imperative to learn:
  • The best online buyer strategies.
  • The online seller’s strategies.
  • The online security risks.
  • How to protect yourself from online fraud or intrusion.
  • How to protect your devices.
  • The best periods to shop, etc.





Thank you for your reading time!

Mark M.
Read more »

at August 10, 2017

How you can negotiate the price of your  software

How you can negotiate with a seller the price of your software

The risks of download free software from malicious websites
Many users go to websites to get free license codes and hacked software. It’s very risky because the sites you are visiting frequently bring one or many malware issues that can harm your computer in seconds! So, it’s not smart to open them because, while you are downloading the software, you will let people:
  • Steal your confidential and financial information
  • Block your computer
  • Infect it with many viruses 
  • Make you waste time and money repairing your computer after infection.

 The advantages of buying a legal software from an official seller:

  • You will get support from this seller 
  • You have a legal right to use your software 
  • You will update and upgrade(sometimes) freely 
  • You have the advantage to negotiate your price when it’s time to upgrade.


   4 [four] easy ways to negotiate your price with a software seller

If you have time, you can try the following techniques to negotiate your software; otherwise, you have the choice to perform a search and find a good price for your software.
You can also try to find a good coupon code online to get an instant discount while shopping. And if you are lucky, you can find coupon codes that will give you a 40% to 50% discount.

1. Software Trial  

When possible, you can download a free trial of your software for 14 days or more to test it. After or during this period, don’t buy it right away at a price displayed; instead, wait a couple of days to receive special offers or discounts.

2. Beta test

If the developer releases a new upgrade, you can introduce yourself and “propose” to participate in the beta test and ask to get a free or discounted version in compensation.

3. Partnership

You can also establish a partner relationship with your software seller. Go to the website and read the terms and conditions to become a partner, so you can get benefits on your next purchase.

4. Product Review

You can also suggest reviewing the product after testing. Sometimes, sellers can offer discounts or even free software for this task.

Tips and tricks to avoid mass emails in your inbox

You can create a second email address and use it to register your profile in the software stores. In that way, you will avoid the many advertisement emails sent by sellers.

Why are you charged for software?

A developer or a company usually charges you for the time and effort  it takes them to:
    why are you charged for a software
  • make the conception
  • design a template
  • develop a software
  • test it
  • produce it
  • have a marketing plan
  • support it (by phone, by chat, by email)
  • update and upgrade it
  • make research
  • ergonomic etc.



Each activity mentioned above requires a lot of knowledge and expertise to deliver a decent and fully functional product. When people are asking for extra features, the developer team will need to work hard to add the different features requested for the new software.

Why do you pay for software?

When you pay for software, you usually pay the employees who have contributed to the above activities to update and upgrade your tool to make it fully usable. Sometimes, the developers spend nights to deliver a product suitable to your needs and mine.
I want to congratulate all developers, technicians and other technical representatives who are working very hard to produce open source or paid software to respond to the needs of all users in the world! 


Thank you for your reading time!

Mark M.

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at August 08, 2017

What Are The Best Times to Get The Excellent Deals When You Shop Online?

best time to shop online




Online shopping is similar to physical shopping. You can find even more web deals than at a brick and mortar store. Why? Because there is tremendous competition online and a big community of buyers, the sellers have no choice but to use the right time and the best strategies to increase their sales and retain their customers.

It’s always good to notice the different online shopping events in your country to anticipate the best sales periods during the year. Usually, most sellers will drop their prices before and during an incoming competitive sale.




 The best time to shop online depends on many factors:


The type of product or service
 For example woman products, seasonal products, electronics, etc.
The Holidays
For example, Mother’s day, Christmas.
The product location
 A product sale may differ depending on the states, the country.
The season

 The price of some products during the Winter sales, the sales.
The special events

 Some sales also come before and during some national or states/provincial events.
The culture

 Traditions and habits may bring some online sales discounts in some specific dates.

Some examples of periods where you can plan your online shopping:
The “Back to school” period is a good example; you will get school supplies at a lower cost if you buy them three weeks before school begins. And one week before, the prices of all supplies will increase because more people need them. 

Another example: when Christmas comes, you may sometimes find the same item but at a higher price than on Black Friday.

Each month comes with different seller discounts on some specific items. You have to   observe the sales pattern of your country to identify the best time to buy.








Here are some favorite yearly events which will let you plan a good shopping schedule 








Seven Popular Events

 Periods
Back to school
August — September
Christmas
December
Black Friday
The fourth Friday of November
Cyber Monday
November (the following Monday after the Black Friday—online only)
Boxing Day 
December 26
Mother Day
May
Father’s Day
June


email alertEmail Alerts

To save time, you can set up email alerts in some stores' websites. To avoid a lot of emails in your inbox, you can create another email account, especially for this purpose.

With the email alert, you will be informed about the best deals at the right time.





Thank you for your reading time!

Mark M.

Read more »

at August 08, 2017

How to Shop Online Successfully From Another State or Country

Most of the time, we place our order in the area, state, or province where we live. However, you can place your order from other countries for a lower price, depending on the rules that should be applied.  You can even get multiple benefits based on your location and the location of your online store.

1. International shopping

The same way as before; you can save time and taxes if you shop online from another country. Please note that most of the time, you will have to pay the customs charges. It’s important to know the online store from which you are dealing.

To avoid many unexpected surprises, make sure that:
  • You calculate the currency conversion of your invoice, so you won’t pay more than if you bought your item locally;
  • Your online store has a good reputation;
  • You read the store’s return policies carefully. In the case of a return, some stores may charge you restocking fees, shipping return fees, etc.
  • You know the regulations of your country.

2. Online shopping in cross-border

If you are living near the borders of Canada/USA, you can use what they call “cross-border shopping." For a small fee, you can order your items online from the other country and consolidate them in a warehouse that will charge you a stocking fee. After tracking and confirming the delivery of all your orders, you can go to the nearby country’s depot to pick them up. Of course, you will have to pay the customs duties and taxes at the border.

Advice
  • You must be the citizen of the country (Better!).
  • Don’t order products that are prohibited in your country of residence.
  • Have your passport ready and not expired before crossing the borders.
  • Take a look at the rules regarding the customs' duties and the sales taxes of your other country.
  • Have your wallet ready!
national online shopping
3. National online shopping

Example 1 – Inside Canada

You may pay only the federal tax if you are living in Quebec and place an order from British Columbia.

What should you do? 

First, check the store policies and make a simulation 
before paying. For each province, make sure you know their fiscal policies.

Example 2 – Inside USA

Check the fiscal law of your country or make a simulation in your store's website.

Tips and Tricks to know

You can find many online stores in British Columbia that usually offer good prices for electronic devices, like NewEgg, DirectCanada, NCIX, etc.



Thank you for your reading time!

Mark M.

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at July 10, 2017


How to shop online successfully

Online shopping is not a simple procedure where you follow certain steps like 1, 2, 3, etc. It’s a real art. When you draw, you usually plan the different colors you will need. 

 When it's time to buy, you will also consider the items' quality, the context, the period and also your sellers. It requires many tips and tricks you should know to get the best results.

8 best practices to shop online successfully                                       



best practices to shop online successfully




1. Know the different ways to buy online
There are many ways to shop online depending on what, where, and how you are buying. Since many other countries are open to digital shopping, you should know and consider them in your plans, like geographic shopping, borderline shopping, and the different technology platforms available in the market, like mobile-based shopping and much more.
2. Know how to search and compare products and price online
There are many online stores, and each of them will fix their prices according to different factors we sometimes don’t know! Fortunately, there are price comparison websites including tools that will help find the best prices for your item. The secrets for a successful online search are the keywords; if you know the exact word or word combination to perform your search, you are the winner!

 3. Master the Internet security rules
It’s a must and a big advantage to know the best online security practices. You will acquire the safety tips gradually from your practices and the testimonies of others, from your own experience, and from the documentation you find on the Internet. 

The technology progress has contributed to the increase of online threats. For instance, in previous decades, people had intrusions, mostly on their desktop computer (viruses), but nowadays, these issues reach most mobile devices. Online security is the top preoccupation of companies, and it should be yours.


4. Know well the online shopping tips and tricks
If you want to be a successful online buyer, you must know the various tips and tricks available. You will find them in content posted by many bloggers or writers. Make a search to get help according to your needs.
5. Have a proactive online shopping strategy

It’s good to have a design when you want to build a house, and it’s the same when you want to buy online. You should know what and why you want it, what the sellers can offer, and how you will proceed to get the best benefits.



6. Know how to negotiate with the online stores


Negotiation doesn’t occur only when you are buying a car or something else; you can also negotiate with online vendors. They are good people and always listen to their customers, so don’t hesitate to negotiate a price when it’s time to buy.

7. Stay in contact with other online buyers through the social networks and forums

You will find many product reviews and offers on social networks, like YouTube, Facebook, and some forums. From there, you can get more details about a product demonstration, the quality, and the best places to buy. In the forums, you can read the experiences or stories of people who used a product you’d like to buy; you can also post questions and get an answer very fast.

8. Know when, where and how to shop efficiently

Online stores are like a big labyrinth, and you should explore the tracks until you find the right spot. That’s why you should know the best time to shop may vary depending on the item. In each country, there are many periods when the stores offer very good prices.

To obtain the best results , I suggest knowing:
  • How to find the best price in your state(or province), your country, another country
  • Where to find the best online seller
  • How to shop online successfully
  • What is the best time to shop online
  • What are the best tips and tricks
  • The tactics to become a smart online buyer 


Thank you for your reading time!

Mark
Read more »

at July 05, 2017

6 [six]Common Steps You Can Use To Complete a Successful Shopping Process

The Buyer's Journey
6 Common Steps You Can Use To Complete a Successful Shopping Process


This article is written primarily for those who are not familiar with the online shopping. However, if you are an experimented online buyer, I invite you to read the other articles where you will find many proven tips and tricks on:
  • The best strategies to shop and negotiate with your online sellers.
  • The correct times to find the best prices.
  • The latest security best practices, etc.
For those who need to know the proven steps to shopping online, let's continue to discover the buyer’s journey which contains the six following main steps usually used  to buy your items in a web store:

  1. Search for products 
  2. Take a look 
  3. Make a comparison 
  4. Validate items' quality 
  5. Complete the shopping process (add item to cart, sign up or sign in, pay) 
  6. Follow-up (delivery, return, exchange) 
1. How to Search for products
Your online shopping process will usually start on research for an item,  product, service; you need to buy. 
How to do an online search


Below are five practical ways to perform an online search with a search engine: 

A. Simple search

Here you just type the word or the group of words you need to search for your online shopping.

Example: 
  • You enter the address of a search engine like www.google.com or yahoo.com or bing.com
  • You type in the search box 'Lenovo tiny m700' then you start your search.
Your results will be displayed according to the algorithms of the search engines.

B. Search with " "

Example: "shopping online 2014,"
This search will display a result for all websites that contain exactly the words between the " " signs in the same order.

C. Search for the minus sign -

Example: shopping online - 2014
The minus sign before 2014 excludes all results that contain the words 2014.

D. Search for the sign ~

Example: shopping online ~ laptop
The ~ sign before 2014 includes synonyms of the words after the ~.
In this example, you can get the word notebook in your display result.

E. Search for the sign *

Example: shopping online *
The * sign will include all websites that contain the word shopping online.

Search results
Your search engine will display a list of websites, and you will have to select the one that will best fit your needs. In our example, you type the information to find (1), then you confirm your search with the magnify (2). A list of website links will be displayed so you can choose the one that is suitable for your item (3). Click on the website you need to visit.
Online search results

 If you know the name of your website, you can type it directly in your browser.

    2.  Take a look

Once you click on the website you are looking for, you can display the item’s description (1), get a preview (2) (See the image below).
online store page structure


 To find a particular item you can:

   A. Go to the main page (3) of the online store and click on the categories and sub-categories until you find your product.

B. Use the online store search box (4) to type your product name and click on the magnifying glass to display the result of your search.

The second option may take more time; you can use it if you are just surfing the store's website to take a look. Most sites also display other featured items (5) on the same page.



3. Make a comparison
After displaying your item on a website, it’s possible to compare it to other items on the same site or articles from other sites: 
  • For internal comparison, you can do a search through your website or look for the comparison button if available.
  • To compare your item with another online store, you will need to visit a price comparison website.
4. Validate items' quality
You can make a search on YouTube or perform an online search to get more feedback related to your product. Sometimes, many people have published their demonstration or comment about your item in YouTube, Vimeo, the store website, a blog, or a community forum.


5. Terminate the shopping process (add item to cart, sign up or sign in, pay)

  • After comparing and checking, you can return to the website you were visiting and click the button to add your item to your cart.
  • You click your shopping cart to validate the price of each item, the total cost of your order, and the taxes. Some websites will also show you the number of items added to your cart.
  • Once you click on the shopping cart icon; you will have the list of articles displayed on your screen so you can pay your order (also called Checkout). You can use the Checkout button to complete your order, but if you are a new buyer of this online store, you should create an account (Sign up) before paying.
Add item to shopping cart

  • Look for the “Sign Up” button (or create an account) before paying. At this step, you’ll fill out a Sign-Up form to create a username, a password, and enter your name, shipping address, email, phone number. If you already have an account, you can just Sign in (access your account).

Example of Sign up forms

Sign up - online form 1
  


Sign up - online form 2

Sign up - online form 3



You will also get another page to enter your payment/billing information (credit card details and billing address) or use a payment gateway like PayPal. Google Play, Amazon payment.


Online shopping - billing payment step

payment gateway, billing address

6. Follow-up (delivery, return, exchange)

The follow-up steps include the following steps you may have to do after receiving your order:
  • You will receive by email your order confirmation number and later your shipping confirmation that includes the tracking number related to your order.
  • You will be able to track your order in your online store or the Shipping provider (Ex: Canada post, USPS, …). 
  • Once you receive your order, you will be able to verify if the item delivered working well. 
  • You have the option to return, exchange or cancel your order before a delay usually established by the seller. Make sure you read the policies to avoid surprises. 

Thank you for your reading time!

Mark M.




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