E-commerce has revolutionised the way we shop, providing convenience and ease for consumers looking to purchase products from the comfort of their own homes. With just a few clicks, customers can browse and buy everything from clothing to electronics and have it delivered to their doorstep. This convenience has boosted the projected e-commerce market worth to over £55 trillion ($70.9 trillion) within the next 5 years, according to PRNewswire. However, despite the success of online shopping, buying certain items like eyewear still comes with a significant number of challenges, namely the inability to try items on before purchase, difficulties with determining the correct fit, and concerns with product quality. As such, below are a few tips on how to shop for eyewear at home.
Consider frames to suit your face shape
When shopping for eyewear online, it’s important to consider frames that suit your face shape. The right frames can enhance your features and make a statement, while the wrong frames can look out of place and feel uncomfortable. By taking the time to understand face shapes for glasses, you can make the best choice when choosing eyewear online. For those with a round or oval face, consider frames with angular edges or sharp lines to add definition, such as classic square frames or cat-eye frames. On the other hand, those with sharper face shapes like diamond or square may want to consider oval frames to soften the lines on their face.
On top of this, it is important to note that while the shape of the frames is important, the size and fit are just as crucial to consider. The frames should fit comfortably on your face without slipping or feeling too tight. When shopping for eyewear online, pay attention to the measurements provided for each frame and compare them to your face measurements or the size of your current glasses to ensure a good fit.
Make use of available try-on features
With the advancement of technology, many online retailers now offer virtual try-on features. Using augmented reality or computer vision technology, this feature allows consumers to see virtual images of the eyewear superimposed onto their own faces in real time. This is typically done using a live camera feed or a still image uploaded by the user. The virtual try-on feature then adjusts the size, shape, and position of the eyewear to fit the user’s face, giving them an accurate representation of what the glasses will look like when worn. This can help you make a more informed decision and feel confident in the style and fit of the glasses.
Alternatively, some online platforms offer try-on at home options. Through these, you can choose a number of pieces to be sent to your home free of charge, which you can then try in person for a number of days. Afterwards, you can make your choice, send back the rest, and only be charged for the pair you pick. By trying on different shapes, colours, and sizes, you can easily compare and contrast different options and find the perfect pair of glasses that suits your preferences.
Read about return and exchange policies
Some of the most difficult things to shop for online are wearable items. For example, buying wigs online always comes with the risk of poor fit or low quality despite the product specifications listed. This is why it is important to know and understand the retailer’s return and exchange policies. The same goes for eyewear, especially as it is a highly individualised and customised item. This means that there is a higher risk of the product not meeting the customer’s expectations and, therefore, a greater chance of needing to return or exchange the item. Such issues can cause great inconvenience, especially if the glasses have speciality tints or prescriptions.
In some cases, online retailers have free return and exchange policies. For some platforms, this means that erring glasses can easily be shipped back at no extra cost while the correct pair is then delivered out in priority. There are even cases in which certain retailers take additional steps to remedy their mistake and are willing to discount an item or provide a useful coupon for future purchases.
