The internet has opened millions of shoes’ doors, allowing consumers to find and compare nearly any pair they desire in the convenience of their home. While this may be an exciting proposition for many, it also poses certain challenges for marketers. Namely, how do you find the success you’re hoping for when competing for customers’ attention against an ocean of online options? Moreover, how do you make sure you stand out from the numerous other online stores and websites peddling shoes and why should anyone care?

To answer these questions and more, we’ve compiled a list of the top online shoe markets along with some helpful tips on how to succeed in this new world.

Top 5 Online Shoe Markets

Thanks to the growing popularity of online shopping, comparing prices and quality across a large number of rival stores is now a breeze for even the most technologically inept shopper. That being said, it’s not always simple to find what you’re looking for when you do discover it; often times, you’ll have to dig through a variety of ads and offers to find the best price and quality.

Nonetheless, with a bit of research and some help from dedicated salespeople, you’ll have no trouble finding what you want. Here’s a roundup of the top 5 online shoe markets to consider when looking for new shoes.

Amazon

The Amazon marketplace has become the quintessential one-stop-shop for all things shoe related and, as a result, their affiliate sales are pretty high. Moreover, since Amazon is the world’s largest online store, access to a massive customer base is always available should you wish to take advantage of this fact. What’s more is the company runs its own shoe blog, complete with in-depth product reviews and helpful tips that even the most inexperienced shopper can understand. Also, since Amazon utilizes their own delivery service, you can be sure that your package will arrive in a timely fashion and without any worries regarding shipping fees or prices getting gouged by the carrier.

Ebay

Ebay is, quite simply, the world’s largest online market place so it stands to reason they’d make for an excellent choice when it comes to finding whatever you’re looking for. Like Amazon, eBay runs its own shoe blog and review section which is a great source of information for those seeking this product. Moreover, like Amazon, eBay offers a fairly high degree of customer service should you need it. Last but not least, eBay offers a cash back program for those purchasing items that they may deem unnecessary. For example, if you’re searching for a new pair of sneakers and see that a certain brand is on sale for $25, you can click the “Buy Now” button and then, within 48 hours, mail in your previous receipt to obtain a refund of $15 (minimum refund amount).

Nike

Nike is, without a doubt, the kingpin of athletic footwear and as a result, their prices are always solid and their quality is unsurpassed. Moreover, the company has established itself as a one-stop-shop for all athletic shoe-related purchases. Their website offers an extensive database of products available for purchase along with helpful navigation should you wish to browse by brand or style. Also, like the other vendors on this list, Nike offers a money-back guarantee within 30 days of purchase. Should you happen to find a pair of shoes at a lower price somewhere else, you can rest assured that they’ll beat it.

UOVEA

UOVEA is the Greek deity for “all things regarding shoes” and it seems quite fitting that this company is the source of our list. Not only does UOVEA offer an excellent database of shoes available for purchase along with helpful navigation and reviews but they also provide customers with a money-back guarantee if the quality isn’t up to par. What’s more is if the shoes arrive damaged in transit, they’ll make it right.

Under Armour

Finally, let’s not forget about Under Armour who, as the name would suggest, is the world’s leading manufacturer of athletic footwear and who also happen to be the parent company of this blog. What’s more is if you’re not familiar, Under Armour also makes apparel and accessories for the sports enthusiast as well as those who just want to look cool. In other words, if you’re looking for performance and style, Under Armour has something for you.

With all of these options available online, it’s easy to see why consumers are able to find what they’re looking for at the press of a button. Still, as exciting as this growing market is, it’s not always easy to make money online. Namely, not all online stores are created equal and it’s up to you to find the best one.

Key Differentiators

It’s important to keep in mind the various ways in which these various websites differ from one another. For example, while some are better suited for specific kinds of purchases like jackets or shirts, others like eBay are fantastic for finding almost any type of product. This is one reason why you may want to consider the category of product you’re looking for along with any filters you may be using (e.g. price range, brand, style, etc.). Moreover, make sure you keep an eye out for any special deals or discounts offered by the various websites. Not only can this potentially save you money but it could also help land you some great bargains.

Quality Control

Just because a product is available online doesn’t mean it’s of good quality. You should still do your research and read reviews before making a purchase. Moreover, make sure you’re ordering from a reputable source. Unfortunately, there are some unscrupulous sellers out there who will try to trick you into buying fake or inferior products. So, it’s important to do some research and make sure you’re ordering from a trusted source. Also, if you buy a product from a trusted source, you’ll be able to notify the vendor in case there is a problem. For example, if you purchase a Nike product and it turns out to be fake, you can contact them and they’ll be able to help you out. In other words, by doing a little bit of research and buying from a trusted source, you’ll be able to ensure that you’re getting exactly what you want. Moreover, if you do find a problem with the product, you can either return it or choose from some other options.

Delivery

Depending on where you are and what kind of traffic is typical in your area, you may want to consider the delivery method for your shoes. For example, if you’re in Manhattan and the majority of orders come from New York, then you may want to consider UPS or FedEx since they generally have faster delivery times than other carriers. Alternatively, if you’re in a small town in northern California, then DHL or similar ground delivery services might be a better fit.

Customer Service

It’s also important to keep in mind that, in addition to being a place to buy shoes, these various websites operate as businesses and they have to generate revenue in some fashion. Moreover, since these are online stores, customer service is always available via chat or email. Still, even if you don’t speak Greek, you’ll be able to navigate most of these websites’ user interfaces fairly easily. Furthermore, should you have any trouble, many of these websites offer a money-back guarantee or you can always contact the CS department and get advice.

Ultimately, finding the right product and purchasing it from a trustworthy source is the key to having a good experience. Still, since so much competition exists in this market, you might have to do a little bit of research to ensure you’re ordering from the best. Moreover, if you do have trouble, be sure to read reviews so you know what other customers think about their services. In other words, by taking the time to do a little bit of research and ordering from a reputable source, you’ll be able to find exactly what you want and ensure you have a good experience. Moreover, if you continue to do your research and keep an eye out for any special offers and discounts, you’ll be able to save a great deal of money in the process.