How to buy shoes online - a complete guide for beginners and experienced
Buying shoes online has many advantages, but it requires a bit more attention than shopping in a stationary store. Learn how to measure your foot, read size charts and avoid the most common mistakes when ordering shoes online.
Advantages and challenges of buying shoes online
Online shopping has revolutionized the footwear market. Access to thousands of models without leaving home, the ability to compare prices in several stores at once and the convenience of delivery to your door - these are obvious advantages. It is therefore not surprising that, according to Polish market research, over 60% of Poles buy shoes online at least once a year.
At the same time, online shopping brings its own challenges: you can't put the shoe on before buying, the material looks different on the screen than in reality, and sizing varies between manufacturers. However, with a few simple rules you can easily avoid these problems.
How to measure your foot correctly?
The basis for successful online shopping is knowing the exact size of your foot. The shoe size in stores is usually the length of the insole (not the foot), which should be about 5-10 mm longer than the foot. To measure your foot correctly:
1. Place your foot on a piece of paper on a flat surface, preferably in the afternoon - the foot swells during the day and the evening measurement gives a larger size, which is safer when purchasing. 2. Trace the outline of the foot with a pencil. 3. Measure the distance from your heel to the end of your longest toe. 4. Compare the result with the manufacturer's size chart.
Please remember that EU (European), UK (British) and US (American) sizes are different. A good online store always provides a size chart in millimeters or centimeters - use it, do not rely on translating the letter size between systems.
Reading product descriptions and photos online
A good product description in a shoe store should include: upper material (e.g. natural leather, nubuck, eco-leather), sole material (rubber, leather), heel or platform height, model width (narrow, wide, standard) and information about the insole length.
It is worth analyzing product photos carefully: look for photos from different angles, close-ups of the material and the sole. Many stores also provide photos of former customers that show the shoe in natural light - they are much more accurate than a studio session.
Read customer reviews, paying particular attention to comments about sizing - if many people write that the shoes are half a size large or too narrow, take it as a guide and adjust your choice accordingly.
Returns, complaints and exchange policy - what is worth knowing?
Polish consumer law guarantees the right to return goods purchased online within 14 days without giving a reason. However, many stores offer extended return periods or free returns - check this information before purchasing.
To be eligible for a return, the shoes must be in their original condition: only wear them on a smooth surface (e.g. carpet) when trying them on, and if you want to check the size, do not go out on the sidewalk with leather soles.
When making a complaint, it is worth keeping photos of the damage and the receipt or order confirmation. Check if the store offers hassle-free size exchange - the service of stores such as KeeShoes makes the entire process quick and comfortable. A good store is one that respects the customer's time and handles returns efficiently!