8 key benefits of online shopping
For the past few years I have noticed that many of my clients are preferring to shop online.
Obviously e-commerce has picked up because of COVID-19, too.
To be fair, I am also a big fan of online shopping!
With the exception of small local boutiques or stores that really give a special customer service, purchasing things on the Internet is definitely my favorite way of buying things for myself or doing personal shopping for my clients.
But don’t get me wrong: I still go to stores a lot!
It’s because many of my clients prefer a personal shopping in-person experience. I often go to brick and mortar shops to check new collections, the visual merchandise or even to talk to designers and sales associates.
However, I’m sure that shopping on the web created a whole different yet positive experience for the customer, especially when they are being helped by a personal stylist that knows them well (their style, lifestyle, complexion, and goals with their image).
Even though following shops on the Internet has become the new normal, I hear some people say that buying online is hard because they need to feel the fabric, check the real color or make sure the product fits.
Yes, I get it.
Online shopping might sound a little challenging at first, but just listen to what I say to my students in my personal shopping course: shopping online is like taking the clothes to the fitting room. There’s no final decision. At least, not yet.
If you’re still feeling insecure or worried about this online world, read my tips to help you venture yourself in this whole new shopping experience:
1. ONLINE STORES HAVE THE BEST INVENTORY
You can find more options of styles, sizes and colors. So you have fewer chances of feeling frustrated when you are looking for something that you can’t seem to find!
2. MORE SUSTAINABLE OPTIONS
Many small or sustainable brands have only online stores. Or even they are direct to consumers, which is a way of practicing better prices. Some people claim this is the future of fashion.
3. MORE TIME TO RESEARCH AND FIND A GOOD DEAL
When you buy online you have the chance to do research at many multi brand stores and boutiques, plus you can check completely different price point products in a short period of time and find yourself a bargain!
4. THERE IS ALWAYS A SALE GOING ON
If you’re subscribed to the stores’ newsletters or follow their pages on social media, you can easily get notifications of sales and flash promotions. Talk about convenience! Additionally, they tend to give some discount to newcomers.
5. MORE TIME TO TRY CLOTHES ON
This one is my favorite reason to shop online.
When we buy something from the internet, we can try on clothes at the best fitting room in the world: our bedroom!
We try them on with our own clothes, shoes and accessories. If we aren’t sure, we can retry the next day. No pressure, just take your time to make a better decision.
6. BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS
You probably already have your favorite shops that you often check their products and know their customer service.
Yes, it’s usually advantageous to be a loyal customer when you get rewards or discounts. This is quite common at department stores, for example.
But not always their photos or choices of styling clothes and accessories are the best. So that’s why it’s good to check other websites as an inspiration or even find different establishments that you would never have heard of before.
7. BEWARE OF FINAL SALES
I always advise my clients to never buy final sales online because you might not be able to return the products.
Even if you have tried them on before, what happens if someone made a mistake with the tag and it’s not the correct size? We don’t want unpleasant surprises, right?
If you really want to give it a try and things don’t work out, keep in mind that you can always sell products at online secondhand stores, such as ThredUP, Poshmark or Depop.
8. STILL STRUGGLING? HIRE A PERSONAL STYLIST!
I know that browsing stores, both physical or online, can be overwhelming. There are so many options!
That’s when a personal stylist can help you.
Here, I create journal boards with different options of clothes and accessories so that my readers might want to try.
When a client hires my services I plan boards with specific items they are looking for, and then when they get the clothes, I can help with the decision of either keeping them or not.
I also give advice on how to come up with different outfits, including the new pieces and the clothes they already have in their closet.
Below are some examples of curated boards I created. They help my clients who live in different places, not only in the NY / CT / NJ area.
The board above is an example: My client saw this cool sweater and thought it was a good addition for her wardrobe. I help her to decide considering if the sweater fits het personal style, lifestyle, color complexion, and also creating different outfits appropriated for what she needs.
Another example: my client has these comfortable pants that she wants to take to a getaway to the beach. She would like some options of how to wear them. I gave two options, the second one with a white tank top and a shirt dress over it, opened as a duster coat. This will be also a great idea for an outfit as transition to Fall wardrobe.
Does it sound interesting to you?
Disclosure: Keep in mind that I link products and companies based on their quality, my personal opinion, my experience and professional expertise. Some of the links in my posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a small commission. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.