Why should you consider buying shoes online?

1.  Increased Selection

When you visit a boutique-style shoe store you’ll find dozens of pairs of attractive, stylish shoes.  You’ll also be limited to a select number of designers that are favored by that store – and you’ll be limited as well to what they have in stock.  If you wear a popular size, you run the risk of your choice of shoe being sold out; on the other hand, if you wear an unusual size, the store may not stock it at all. 

The same holds true for department stores – although they may carry a wider range of designers, they probably won’t carry every style from any one manufacturer.  These stores have to pick and choose what they will carry and try to offer a cross section of what they anticipate buyers will like.  They will usually carry only a few pairs in each style and will have a quick turn-over in what they have available.  If you see something you like, there is no guarantee that they will still be available a few weeks later.

Online shoe stores, however, stock hundreds of brands and hundreds of styles.  Whether  you wear an odd size, need an extra-wide width or find yourself searching for a particular brand that you prefer, an online shoe store will have what you’re looking for.  

You can also find seasonal footwear much easier at an online store.  For instance, in northern parts of the country, traditional department stores rotate out “off-season” shoes, so if you’re looking for some great strappy sandals for your winter vacation to the Caribbean, you may be out of luck.  You’ll find yourself searching through racks of loafers, hiking shoes and thick-soled boots!  But with just one click of mouse, you can browse through hundreds of sandals and espadrilles online no matter how cold it is outside your front door!

Are you looking for orthopedic shoes because you have foot, ankle, knee or back problems?  Is there a brand you’ve worn in the past that is always comfortable and supportive?  Online shoe stores make it easy for you to find what you want because they carry them all – and some online stores focus exclusively on special needs such as orthopedic shoes or shoes in unusual sizes.  In fact, if you were shoes in sizes like a woman’s 12 WW or a man’s 6 A, you won’t find a better selection anywhere than at an online shoe website.

2.  Convenience

Shopping for shoes can be a time-consuming chore.  If you’re looking for a basic pair of flats, it may not take you too long, but if you’re trying to find the perfect pair of peep-toe pumps to go with that knock-out new dress for New Year’s Eve, you can waste a lot of your valuable time.   You may visit several different specialty shops and go to more than one department store.  Driving from store to store, and perhaps city to city, getting in and out of your car...you can waste a day, a weekend or more and run into that limited collection we’ve already mentioned. 

Shopping can also be difficult to squeeze into your schedule.  If you’re a working mother, a businessman who travels extensively or a parent with school activities and busy schedules to contend with, typical store hours may not fit your lifestyle. 

Shopping for shoes online gives you the chance to browse and select on your own schedule.  It doesn’t matter if you want to look for shoes at 6:00 am over your morning coffee or browse after everyone’s in bed and you have some free time at midnight.  Online shoe stores are open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week and are always just one click away. 

If you’ve ever shopped during a great sale, you know one more irritating feature of shopping in malls or specialty shops – the crowds!  Fighting other shoppers to find the right shoe, trying to hunt down a sales associate to help you and waiting in long for what seems like hours just to pay for your purchase can all take the pleasure out of shoe shopping and replace it with irritation and a headache by the end of the evening!  Internet shopping is so much more relaxing – just pour yourself an iced tea and slip into your bunny slippers and start clicking!

3.  Value

Many people don’t realize the real value of online shopping – you can save a significant amount of money with Internet purchases.  This may surprise you; perhaps you’re thinking that you’ll pay more for shoes ordered over the Internet.  After all, there are charges for shipping and handling, and what if you want to return the shoes?   All of these could increase the cost of your shoes considerably.

The reality is that shopping online for your shoes can save you a significant amount of money.  There are several things that keep the price low for consumers who shop online:

• Online retailers don’t have to support “brick and mortar” stores.  They don’t have to pay rent on stores, pay sales associates or sustain the cost of shipping their products to locations across the country.
• Shipping and handling is inexpensive or free with many companies.  Because online retailers sell in such volume, they get impressive shipping rates that they often pass on to their customers in appreciation for their business.
• More and more often, returns cost the customer nothing.  Return shipping labels are provided to customers so that they can conveniently return purchases for exchange or refund.
• Shopping online saves you the cost of driving into town and wasting your valuable time going from store to store in the search for that elusive perfect pair of shoes.
• Online retailers frequently offer additional discounts and special sales that offer you additional savings.