Are you pregnant or did you recently have a baby? Are you looking for the best pram online? Or maybe you are trying to find essentials like diapers, wipes, and formula that you can have delivered to your door. There are various reasons why many parents and soon-to-be parents are turning to primarily, or even exclusively, shopping online for their baby care essentials. For one, online shopping is much simpler and less time-consuming than heading out to a store. This is especially true if your baby has already arrived and you have to factor in strapping them in to the car seat, feeding breaks, and diaper changes! Another reason why many prefer to complete their shopping online is due to the wider selection of products. Many stores offer limited brands and you may not be able to get the best product on the marketplace if the store you visit doesn’t carry it. Frequently, you can find a better price online since you don’t have to shop around. Shopping online also saves you from running to multiple stores; even if you can’t get everything you want in one transaction online, you’re still just a few clicks away from checking out at the second store on your list!
If you are looking to purchase baby care items online, there are 7 things you need to know before you shop so you get the best products and the best deals!
Do Your Research
Just because you heard one person raving about a certain product or read a blog post about it, don’t immediately log on and purchase the product right away! It is very important that you do your research before purchasing something online. You want to find out about the company. Where do they make their products? Have they been in business for a while? Do they seem like they are a reputable company that you feel comfortable doing business with? There are lots of websites that review baby products. These typically give you detailed information about the product, as well as providing you with a list of pros and cons. Visit a few different sites and read product reviews by different bloggers or companies. This will help you to really get a feel for the product and help you decide if it is one you want to invest in for your child. Two websites where you can begin your research are Baby Gear Lab and Wire Cutter.
Talk to your Mom Friends
Do you have friends or family members who are also mothers of young children? Take advantage of that! Reach out to other moms and let them know what product you are in the market for. They’ll likely be able to offer suggestions of great products out there. They will also be likely to let you know some products or brands to stay away from based on their personal experiences using them with their children. Reading online reviews is a good start, but hearing first-hand experiences from someone you know and trust can be very valuable.
Read User Reviews
Most websites, like Amazon or Buy Buy Baby, include a star rating under their products that are listed on their websites. These ratings are determined by everyday customers who have purchased that specific product and used it with their child. Look for products that have a rating of at least four stars to help you narrow your options. Another important thing to consider when looking at star ratings is how many people have reviewed that particular product. If a product have a five star review, but has only been reviewed by two or three people, it is not as reliable as a product with five stars that has been reviewed by 300 people! When you are looking through the star ratings, you can also read the review people provided to go with their rating. By reading a few of these ratings, you can get a better feel for the product. You also might learn about some potential issues with the product if multiple people wrote about them in their review.
Look at the Product Specifications
Another thing you’ll want to be sure to do before making an online purchase is to review the product details and specifications. What material is the product you’re considering made from? What are the dimensions? It would be very frustrating to order a product, like a bassinet, for your nursery only to have it arrive and then realize that it won’t fit in the space you had planned! Also, be sure to compare the weights of similar products you are deciding between. Many strollers can be quite heavy to lift in and out of your car on a regular basis!
Compare Multiple Retailers
Once you’ve done your research, read multiple reviews, and you’ve decided what you want to buy for your baby, be sure to check different online retailers. You’ll find that the cost for the same product will vary from one retailer to another. It can take a little extra time to check on multiple websites, but it is worth it for the amount of money you could be able to save. Also, check for the cost of shipping. Often you can find deals for free shipping, so keep an eye out for those!
Don’t Make a Rushed Decision
Take your time deciding what to purchase for your baby, especially with the more expensive items like cribs, car seats, and strollers. Don’t just make an impulse buy because of an effective infomercial! You want to make sure that you’ve thought out what you really want so you don’t end up having any regrets!
Trust Your Instincts
Finally, trust your gut. If something seems too good to be true or a website doesn’t seem reputable, then look elsewhere. You’re the mom and you get the final say about what your baby needs!