Introduction: A Step to Step Guide to Online Shopping

Online shopping is popular because of the convenience it offers. Recently, new ways to save money while shopping online have grown tremendously in popularity. Shoppers have traditionally shopped through a retailer, filled an online shopping cart and then paid. Another way is to shop through an online auction site and bid against other shoppers for items. Recently, shopping through deal a day coupon websites has quickly become a very popular option because of the large discounts available.

This guide will help you learn the basic of online shopping and discounts.

Step 1: 1. Basic "Fill Your Shopping Cart" Shopping


Amazon.com is an online retailer with the basic model of choose an item and add it to your virtual shopping cart. Anyone can browse items at Amazon. Amazon sells everything from books to movies, toys, electronics, household items and more.

Amazon.com began as an online book retailer and has grown into a place to purchase thousand of items. Amazon.com has websites for shoppers in the United States, UK, Spain, Japan, Italy, Germany, China and Canada.

Anyone can browse the items offered on Amazon.com. When you find an item you would like to purchase, you will be prompted during checkout to create an account; or create a free account.
An account allows you to save your shipping and billing preferences for quicker checkout on subsequent purchases, and gives you access to features like the wish list, where you can save items you would like to purchase later for yourself or share with friends and family.

When shopping at online retailers with the traditional fill a shopping cart model, it is often possible to save by waiting for sales and using available coupon codes. When you sign up for an account you will often begin receiving e-mails about current sales and promotions to help you save.

Step 2: 2. Online Auction Shopping

Ebay.com is the most popular online auction site. Users can buy and sell a variety items; everything from electronics, toys and games to vehicles can be bought and sold on eBay.

The online auction model means that shoppers can often score great discounts on new and used items. You can register  for free, or browse before creating an account. Once you have an account you can begin bidding on items. Each auction shows what the minimum bid is for the item, how much time is left on the auction and how many others are currently bidding on the item.

The price for shipping is also listed on the auction page. Some items come with free shipping. Buyers pay the seller directly after winning an auction. There is typically a time period that the buyer is required to pay the seller. 

Both new and used items are available through online auction sites, from both retailers and individuals selling items.

Step 3: 3. Deal a Day Coupon Shopping

Deal a Day websites like Groupon.com are the newest way to discount shop online. Since beginning in 2008, Groupon has expanded into several countries including and they offer good daily deals in Australia (and recently, they offer their daily deals in New Zealand ) Japan, Canada, Italy and many more.

Shoppers can visit the website and choose their area to view local deals. You can sign up for a free account. Once you sign up, you will have the option to receive daily e-mails with available deals. You can personalize your e-mail preferences to receive no e-mails, or choose what types of deals you want to subscribe to, like Groupon Getaways, that offers deals on trips.

Many different types of deals are available including discounted services on massages, discounted products and discounted hotel rooms. You can purchase a deal for yourself or buy them as gifts. Groupon expands quickly- they are now present with their daily deals in Australia and daily deals in almost every city in New Zealand.  There is usually a limit on the amount of deals that can be purchased for a particular deal. Credits are also often available for referring friends. Once you purchase a deal, be sure to read the terms to find out when it expires, and print and use the voucher before the expiration date.

Step 4: 4. Payment Options

The most popular way to pay is through PayPal. If you do not have a PayPal account, you will be prompted to create one during the payment process, or you can register before via the form on their website