What did we do before the internet took over our work and play? Well, we spent more time at the library, read instead of just browsed, and gave due importance to the postman.

But let’s be a bit more specific here. What did we do before online shopping? Well, we huffed and puffed and elbowed other shoppers in the stomach in the rush to bag that last bargain. And then we huffed and puffed some more to heave all the shopping bags in the car and transport them to a loving and caring home.

But that was in the past. Thanks to online shopping, we can browse online shops from the comfort of our own home (or, admittedly, while at work). We don’t have to wage war with other customers or wait in long queues until we faint or actually make it to the check out. Opening hours don’t matter any more – online merchants are open all hours. And if we don’t manage to find what we’re looking for in one shop, we just open another tab in our browser and look at another shop’s offerings.

Easy, no? Except that, if something looks this easy, it probably isn’t. And with online shopping, it definitely isn’t.

First of all, you need to make sure that you’re using a secure internet connection and that the online merchant you intend buying from is actually genuine. While common sense will serve you well here, you also need to watch out for signs of a secure site before you make a purchase.

The most obvious sign is that the URL starts with https:// instead of just http://, which means that the information you pass on to the online merchant will be encrypted. Moreover, a secure shopping site includes information about the merchant, contact information, as well as policies which cover privacy, shipping, warranties and refunds.

If such information is not available and the website looks suspicious, then it’s your turn to be suspicious.

Also, while the choice of products may seem endless, there are some limitations. Some retailers do not ship to Malta, or else only ship a very limited range of items. Other products, such as fluids, chemicals, agricultural products and, in some cases, technological products aren’t shipped to Malta.

Don’t try bypassing the system because in most cases, you will not manage. Most overseas merchants use geo-blocking to block your purchases and protect territorial rights – in this case, the merchant detects which country you’re in based on your IP address. Other merchants will not block you, but will adjust the prices according to your country of residence. Which means that what initially looked like a bargain probably isn’t. In some cases, this process is invisible, so you won't be able to check the original price.

In any case, just make sure that you read the fine print first because it isn’t fun to spend half an hour browsing and choosing your items, only to then discover that you’ve been wasting your time.

Before you make any purchases, read the merchant’s return policy carefully. With online shopping, you can never be as sure of an item as you are in a real shop. This is especially the case when buying clothes online – since you cannot actually try them on, you will not know whether the items bought actually fit or suit you until they have been delivered. This is why it’s important to only buy from online merchants who offer a reasonable return policy or generous cooling-off periods.

When you’ve made the final click, you will receive a confirmation e-mail with a tracking or reference number. Make sure that you keep a copy of this confirmation, as well as any other correspondence that you have exchanged with the merchant – this will come in handy in case there is any problem with your purchase.

We don’t have to wage war with other customers or wait in long queues until we faint or actually make it to the check out

Once you’ve made your purchase, you need to ship it. There’s just one issue though – most online stores do not offer you any choice in shipping your order, beyond upgrading your shipping to receive the order quicker. Upgrading obviously comes at a cost.

With shipping, there’s another issue. While you can shop online from the comfort of your own home, with deliveries, you have the discomfort of having to be at home because you have to sign for the delivered item. If you’re not at home, then you will have to go and pick it up yourself.

If you cannot be at home, contact the carrier and make alternative arrangements, such as delivering your items to your place of work or to a relative who can sign on your behalf. The advantage of online shopping here is that you can track your order so that you have a pretty good idea of when your items will be delivered.

Of course, this only applies to lightweight items. For other products, such as furniture, sofas, or household goods, other special delivery arrangements apply.

When your purchase is finally delivered, inspect it carefully. If you discover a problem, contact the seller immediately.