How To Gain Money Online

I've come to learn (sometimes the hard way) what you should consider when shopping at any online store, as the owner of an online store and a veteran online shopper.

* Website Security

Very important! So you want to make sure that they have a McAfee Secure or other valid third party security seal on their site. Credit card fraud and other online scams, these services will keep you safe from identity theft. Is their site being scanned daily by a third party service like McAfee Secure (formerly Hackersafe) to ensure the site is valid and secure? How secure is the website?

* Shipping

Amazon.com offers free shipping for any order over $39, many sites will also offer free shipping when you purchase a certain amount - for example. Regular post). I'm a big fan of websites that allow me to pick a shipping option based on delivery date (express vs. Are you able to choose your shipping options based on desired date of delivery and cost? What shipping options does the company provide?

And are able to ship much quicker in most cases, in our online store we have a policy of shipping all orders within 48 hours. Which means I still have to wait up to a week (or more) for delivery. . . And then realize that they still haven't even shipped the product by Friday, it is such a pet peeve of mine to order something on a Monday. I also want to know how quickly they process orders.

* Where will the item ship from?

If they are drop shipping chances are the item itself may ship from the US (and charges may apply), so even if the website is based in Canada. There are also many sites these days that are drop-shipping direct from the manufacturer. Just know that you may be responsible for any duty/brokerage charges when the order crosses the border, if you are Canadian and making a purchase from a US based site.

* Free Gift Wrapping/Personalization

Free gift wrapping is one of the most popular options in our online baby gifts store. This will provide the feeling that the gift was sent from you directly and is a very nice touch that is sure to be appreciated. It is great to be able to send it already gift wrapped and with a personalized hand written card, if you are purchasing your item a gift for someone else.

* Customer Service

How quickly and thoroughly they respond to your email is a good indication of how quickly they will take care of your orders. You may also want to them an email to see how your question(s) are answered and how long it takes for them to reply. You may want to give the store a call (do they have a toll free number or is it a long distance call)? You still want to be able to get good service, even though the business is online.

* Return Policy

What is the store's return policy, if you are not happy with the item? Another important item to consider looking at is what is the store's return policy.

By keeping these tips in mind you should have an enjoyable experience while shopping online.