10 things you should always buy online
Shopping online is hardly a new phenomenon. In fact, it’s a standard part of twenty-first century life. However, just as with shopping on your local high street, it’s easy to fall into a safe routine, browsing the same websites for the same products, whether that be clothes, shoes, or groceries.
But the internet is a vast place, with a near-infinite variety of goods available at the click of a button. It’s a quick, convenient miracle, and infinitely preferable to trudging into town on a busy Saturday afternoon (at least, for some people).
So, here are ten things that you should always buy online that you probably aren’t, from make-up to meat boxes.
Books
Let’s start with a classic. Books were one of the first things people starting buying in huge numbers when the world moved online. In fact, the biggest website on the planet, Amazon, started life as an online bookseller, and there’s a reason it’s proven to be such a successful business model.
Rather than going from bookshop to bookshop trying to find the cheapest deal on the latest bestseller, the different price listings of various websites can be found with a single Google search. You can find everything from blockbusting crime thrillers, to the half-remembered stories of your childhood.
Nowadays every book retailer, from Waterstones to your local bookshop, has a website you can use to get the work of your favourite author shipped straight to your door.
Textbooks
If you’ve ever been a university student, you will be all too familiar with the pain of seeing your bank balance cut to nothing with the purchase of a couple of textbooks. Because they’re so niche, textbooks can often be ludicrously expensive, which is why it’s always worth shopping around online.
Many major booksellers have dedicated textbook sections on their websites, which are usually much cheaper than your campus bookshop. Just be sure to buy them before the start of term, when demand will skyrocket.
Make up
Sometimes a make-up shop is handy if you want to experiment with new shades and products. But let’s be honest, most of us know what we like and rarely stray too far from it. Even the most adventurous make-up artist will have a handful of essential products they always want a copious supply of, and it is these products it is best to buy online.
Buying make-up online also gives you the ability to purchase directly from the manufacturer, cutting out any middle man and therefore cutting down on price.
Baby Clothes
When it comes to buying adult clothes, sometimes you want to try them on before you buy, but baby clothes do not benefit from a trip to the fitting room. As any parent knows, babies are impatient and temperamental – with the occasional chance of vomiting. So, given that you aren’t likely to put your pride and joy through a change of clothing in-store, it’s sensible to buy online. Clearance sections of retailer’s websites are a good place to start. Let the grandparents buy the expensive stuff.
Online is also a great place to buy plenty of baby essentials, namely nappies. You really don’t want to run out of nappies, and there are many websites that sell good quality nappies cheaply and in bulk, so you can be prepared for those seemingly endless toilet emergencies without having to bankrupt yourself.
Meat Boxes
You’ve heard of online food shopping, but online meat shopping? Yet for those who have bought meat boxes from quality online meat suppliers, there can be no going back to the butchers section of the supermarket. Companies such as the Dorset Meat Company specialise in providing discerning carnivores with a high quality meat box straight to the front door. All their meat boxes contain 100% grass-fed, ethically raised meat, which makes for both a delicious meal and a guilt-free conscience.
You can construct your own meat boxes full of your favourite chicken, pork, beef and/or venison, or choose from pre-constructed boxes such as the Student Survival Meat Box or the Full English Breakfast Meat Box. All the products are as affordable as any butcher’s shop, and infinitely more convenient. They also offer discounts to new buyers.
Cooking Equipment
As any chef will tell you, high quality cooking equipment is expensive. Stocking a new kitchen can be one of the priciest parts of moving into a new house or flat, or of sending a child to university, which is why you should take the time to browse through online deals. Online often offers better deals than even the best-stocked kitchen supplies store, as well as a far greater variety. Many websites sell pots, pans, sieves and other kitchen implements in sets, with free shipping on items over a certain price.
Glasses
When you receive a new prescription from the opticians, there’s always the pressure to choose a new pair of glasses from the store’s limited selection. Inevitably, the pairs you like are too expensive, and the ones within your price range don’t suit your face. That’s why, if you have a simple prescription, it’s easier to buy your glasses online. There’s a huge number of glasses retailers out there, with a vast selection of both designer and non-designer glasses to choose from, with prices starting at less than £10.
You can also buy contact lenses online at competitive prices, as long as you have a valid annual prescription.
Clothing Staples
Some clothes, like a formal suit or a new style of dress, need to be tried on before you can decide whether to buy them, but there are always some items you know will work for you. These are your clothing staples. Whether it’s a certain cut of jean, a brand of underwear, or a style of T-Shirt, you can save the time you would have spent in store by buying them online. You can also shop around more easily online, to see whether it’s possible to keep your wardrobe stocked with these staples for a lower price.
Vitamins and Dietary Supplements
If you’re a regular taker of vitamins or dietary supplements, you cannot beat the variety and convenience that comes with buying your tablets or powder online. Common vitamins, such as multi-vitamins and iron, are easy to stock up on cheaply, whereas those of you who take less common supplements, such as specialised protein powders, will have a much broader range to choose from. As with make-up, in some cases, you can buy your supplements directly from the manufacturer, which means even less expense.
Pet Food
Your pet doesn’t care that you just lugged that heavy bag of pet food home from the supermarket. In fact, your cat is actively judging you as you struggle to regain your breath.
As long as they get their dinner on time, your pet will be happy, so why go to the bother? All big brand pet foods are available to order online from most major retailers. If your dog or cat requires a more specialist diet, there are also plenty of online stores which sell different foods to suit various dietary requirements.
