More and more people are opting to shop online instead of dressing up and heading out the door to the mall or shopping store. Given this insurgence of online shoppers as year after year, online retailers have become aware of it and are getting more creative with their marketing tactics to draw more customers and make a hit among shoppers.

The e-commerce industry has made shopping easier for both men and women. Yes, even men. Online shopping has become a good stress reliever for them and with the convincing gimmicks and promos these sites provide, there’s no doubt about it. In fact, online shopping sites often announce the best deals and discounts in comparison with physical stores.

Knowing this and consumer’s impulsive shopping habits, it’s important and a definite must to take better grip of your impulses when shopping online as you normally would when strolling around a mall. Don’t fall deep into their marketing strategies to the point of draining your bank account. Online shopping is fun and convenient, however, it can spiral you out of control. Get ahold of your finances and save huge when shopping online. Here are a few tips on how to shop online wisely:

Compare prices

Online shopping is much like traditional shopping in a sense that comparing prices across various online sites can help you find the best deal. For instance, one online site may sell the product you’re looking for $5 cheaper (promo/sale) than the two other sites you’re looking at. From which online site would you rather buy? The former, definitely. Especially if you frequent it and they are credible and have a reliable service.

Don’t check out just yet

Window shopping is made easier, more convenient, and lots of fun online. If you plan on buying a few things but in no rush to check out, leave the items in your online cart for a good couple of days. Why do this?

Retailers don’t like undisclosed deals and when they notice that you already have a few items in your cart and just a few clicks away from checking out, they will try to hold onto to you. Some stores send promo or discount coupons and better prices after. Leaving your cart as is for a couple of days can help you think about it before making the purchase and allow the store to convince you to check out via promos.

Always check the reviews

Before you purchase anything, do check the reviews about the product first. You’re already shopping online which makes it easy to look for and compare products and prices as compared to traditional shopping. Checking the reviews only take a good few minutes.

There’s nothing more frustrating that buying something online only to find out that it’s not as it was advertised. This happens a lot so be wary of it especially if the product is costly.

Take advantage of reward programs

If the online site you frequent offers reward points, take advantage of it. No matter how small the points you get, it’s still a huge help. For instance, leaving product reviews for 30 items can earn you 300 points. That’s not too bad, is it?

Track your online spending

Online shopping has its upsides and downsides. One of its disadvantages is you can very easily get carried away with all the sales, promos, discounts, and coupons. This is where tracking your online shopping expenses and refining your habits work wonders to help you save and get the best deals for a reasonable price.

Regardless if you’re shopping for a new pair of sneakers, a skincare or beauty product, or a second hand gadget, always be careful and mind the price. Bear these tips in mind to help you enjoy your online shopping more while saving a good amount. Happy shopping!

About the author: When she couldn’t be found eating pizza or indulging on sweets, Chie writes for Zapals — a global shopping site that sells anything and everything you need under the sun.