Whether it’s putting together your dream DIY wedding or throwing your parents a gorgeous anniversary, planning an event takes time, imagination, and a lot of multitasking. In today’s digital world, you’ll likely spend the bulk of your time online trying to sort through retailers for everything from napkins and plates to decorations and drinks. There’s so much to choose from that you might get overstimulated and feel paralyzed while making decisions. Here are some straightforward ways you can know that an online retailer is right for your special event.
They Carry Authentic Products
The first thing you have to check when comparing retailers is the authenticity of the products they carry. Don’t trust a website just because it has a modern design and a huge product catalog.
The truth is that anyone can upload nice photos to a website and claim that the products are authentic. A reliable retailer will include information such as the item’s UPC, country of origin, instructions for use, and expiration date (if applicable). You can also check reviews to find out if other people can vouch for the products or not.
They Care About Your Feedback
For a reputable online business, customer feedback is essential. Online businesses only succeed when they can maintain a high NPS score. The Net Promoter Score measures how likely it is that you, the customer, will promote a business to your friends, family, and network. If you’re shopping with an online retailer that doesn’t ask for your feedback and doesn’t seem to care if you have a bad experience, these are red flags. The last thing you want when you’re planning an event is to get caught up in a negative situation with one of the retailers you’ve chosen.
They Maintain Good Communication
Another way to judge the quality of an online retailer is by the nature of their communication. Does the company have an online chatbot that can help you find relevant information instantly? Is there a dedicated FAQ page or knowledge base where you can find the answers to questions about their payment process, returns, cancellations, and more? These are good signs that the company you chose cares about communication.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to an online retailer through email, direct message, or a phone call. Just because you’re purchasing products or services online doesn’t mean that you have to stay online. If you’re dealing with a reliable retailer, then that company will be prepared to help you regardless of how you contact them.
They Have a Clear Return Policy
Before you commit to a purchase, make sure to locate the retailer’s policies regarding canceling an order, returning an order, and processing a refund. If this information is not easy to locate or the language is unclear, pause what you’re doing and rethink your purchase. If a company attempts to withhold critical information related to purchases, it could mean that processing a return is very difficult or impossible.
There’s always the chance that your plans could change, so you need to find a retailer with an acceptable returns policy. If you’ve purchased and received twenty custom centerpieces only to have your event canceled at the last minute, you’ll need a supportive and responsive business to take care of the issue for you.
They Practice Strong Cybersecurity
Finally, always check for signs that an online retailer uses a secure platform for purchases and order management. Some of the items already discussed are good ways to tell if a website is legitimate, including if there is a clear privacy policy, contact information, and positive reviews from real people. Beyond that, you should give the URL a second glance and make sure that it starts with ‘https’, where the ‘s’ stands for secure.
The payment processing system should also include some form of online security or require a secure connection directly to a bank. Generally, most online payment processing today is safe, but it is worthwhile to do your due diligence before making large purchases.
Keep these tips in mind while you’re getting ready for your big day, and don’t forget to enjoy your shopping experience.
