Online shopping has become a big part of daily life for many people. While it’s convenient, it can also be overwhelming and costly. Luckily, there are smart hacks to save you time, money, and stress. This blog shares 20+ clever online shopping tips to help you shop smarter. Whether you’re new or experienced, these tricks make buying easier and more rewarding. From using discount codes to getting free shipping, they help you find the best deals and avoid extra expenses.
1. Harness the Power of Coupons
Using coupons is one of the fastest and most reliable ways to save money online. Most major stores offer them to instantly lower your total bill. Big retailers often have discount codes for minimum spends, usually shown on their websites. You can also find active codes by searching at checkout or using browser extensions like Honey or Rakuten. Simply put, applying coupons before you buy can quickly give you extra savings or free shipping.
2. Abandon Your Online Shopping Cart
Leaving your shopping cart without buying might seem strange, but it’s a smart saving trick. Many online stores track abandoned carts and send exclusive discount codes to encourage you to finish your purchase. To try this, add items to your cart and proceed to the payment step, then close the tab before paying. Make sure you’re logged in or have entered your contact info. Soon, you might get an email or notification with a special discount to help you save.
3. Score Discounts with Subscriptions
New to an online store? You’re in luck! Many retailers offer instant discount codes for first-time shoppers who create an account. Some don’t even require an account—just signing up for their newsletter with your email can get you a discount code. Subscribing also keeps you informed about flash sales and special offers. While emails can pile up, most brands trade exclusive deals for a spot in your inbox, and you can unsubscribe anytime if it gets too much.
4. Get the Same Discount Twice
Using a different email address can help you claim the same discount more than once. Be careful not to overuse this trick, as many stores track shipping addresses and may block repeats. To try again, log out of your original account and use Incognito or Private Mode to avoid detection. This prevents the site from seeing your past purchases. When used responsibly, this simple method can help you save more on your shopping.
5. Use Coupon and Discount Websites
Scoring discounts and deals is a top online shopping hack, but managing endless promo emails can be tough. That’s where tools like Milled and EmailTuna help. These platforms let you browse all newsletters from brands without cluttering your inbox. You can easily find current and past promotions, including exclusive discounts you might have missed. Plus, they keep archives of older campaigns, helping you discover deals no longer advertised. Next time you want to save, check Milled and EmailTuna for smarter shopping.
6. Simply Ask for a Discount
One of the easiest ways to save money is simply by asking for a discount. Many e-commerce sites offer live chat or customer support where you can inquire about promo codes or deals. Often, brands will share one-time coupon codes when you ask. It only takes a few seconds and can save you a lot. So, next time you’re about to check out, don’t hesitate to ask—you might be surprised by the savings!
7. Find Discounts on Social Media
Most brands use social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and X to connect with shoppers. These accounts often share exclusive discounts and time-limited offers not found elsewhere. Many retailers offer follower-only deals, flash sales, or early access through their social pages. By following your favorite stores, you stay updated on the latest promotions. This easy habit can help you save a lot on your next purchase.
8. Use Price Alert Tools
Finding the lowest price online can be simple with the right tools. Price alert tools track items for you and send notifications when prices drop. CamelCamelCamel, Honey, and Keepa are popular options that make this process easy. They also show price history and let you set watchlists for better tracking. With these tools, you can shop smart, save money, and catch deals as soon as they go live.
9. Predict Sales to Save Money
To make the most of discounts, it’s important to understand sales patterns. Platforms like Milled and EmailTuna help track past promotions from various stores. By reviewing this data, you can see when a store usually offers sales and on what occasions. This helps you predict future discounts and plan your purchases accordingly. With a bit of patience and smart timing, you can grab the best deals without missing out.
10. How to Use Google Shopping
If you want a quick and reliable way to compare prices across multiple stores, Google Shopping is a great tool. It connects you to thousands of retailers and their products. With Google Shopping, you can instantly see prices from different stores in one place.
Just search for the product, and Google will show you a list of sellers, prices, and reviews. Using Google Shopping before checkout can help you spot the lowest price and grab the best deal available. Before you buy, run a quick search on Google Shopping to make sure you’re not overpaying.
