When making a decision to buy from an online store, you are committing yourself to a huge selection of products and services, lower prices and a variety of shipping terms available. At the same time you save precious time. So, what do you need to know about effective online shopping? First of all, decide on what exactly you want and how much you are ready to spend on it. Then make a list of product requirements. For example, it's the size, design and color with clothes, in case with furniture - the approximate dimensions, etc. That will make buying a lot easier. Once you have it all mapped out in your head, start searching for the product. Enter the product name in your search engine's search box. You can either search for a general category, like "clothes", "furniture", "sports gear" or be more specific and type in "jeans", "chairs", "fins". Then, of course, brand-loyal consumers might search the products from online stores by manufacturers. Browse through as many web sites as you like, but pick an online store with clear and detailed images of the product, precise specifications and a clear return policy. This last item is of great importance. Some manufacturers let you return the items to their local store and some have toll-free return hotlines. Browse through the items in the online store and double-click the ones you like. This should take you to a larger image together with an assortment of colors, sizes and other features the item is available in. Look through them carefully and pick the ones you are interested in. It's a good idea to buy a few items from the same online store and avoid individual shipping charges. So, it's easy to buy online: just click on the item to add it to your shopping cart. Once you've picked all the products you like, proceed to the Checkout. You will get detailed directions on how to fill in your shipping information and how to pay online. That includes putting in your credit card number. Before you submit an order, spare some time to add the price and all the taxes and costs. In case you are confident you are getting a bargain, proceed. Always make sure you read the fine print, especially if you are buying from an unfamiliar online store for the first time. Internet shopping shouldn't rely on luck. If you like the products, offered at a particular online store, you might want to register there to be eligible for discounts, better delivery terms as well as mailing lists with new products and sales notifications. This is a way of saving loads of time and money. In order to pay online safely, remember never to send you credit card number by e-mail - it has a low safety level. As in any credit card transaction you should be aware of the identity theft danger. When trying out a new online store look for security signs  such as an unbroken lock, a URL starting with https:// and words Secure Socket Layer (SSL). Shopping online is fun and easy. So, try it and find out that all your consumer wishes are just a mouse-click away.