10 Tips for Shopping for Kids' Clothing Online

When it comes to shopping for clothes, children are often less forgiving than adults. You don’t want to be stuck with ill-fitting jeans, an ill-fitting dress or an ill-fitting shirt because you made a bad decision online. That’s why you should follow these 10 tips to find the best kid clothing online and avoid costly mistakes later on.

1) What are you looking for?

The first thing you should do is figure out what you want to buy. Many of us start shopping without a goal in mind, and that can lead to a lot of unnecessary surfing around. Instead, make it easy on yourself and head straight to your favorite sites. They may not have everything you’re looking for—and they probably won’t—but at least they have great deals or special sales on certain items. Start here and don’t deviate unless something catches your eye.

2) Brand & fit matter most

If you find an adorable dress on sale, don’t buy it if it doesn’t fit. A larger size won’t magically shrink when it arrives at your house, and chances are good that a smaller size won’t be in stock when you get around to re-ordering. Before you spend money on clothes, make sure they fit perfectly – or ask your sales rep for help finding items that do. Buying clothes that don't fit can be a real (and unnecessary) pain in the bum, so avoid going down that road in the first place!

3) Pick up in store when possible

Once you've found a store that has everything you need, consider picking up your items in person. This will make it easier to keep track of sizes and will save you from having to return items that don't fit. You'll also be able to confirm that what's pictured is what's in stock. That way, if there are any issues with your order (like missing or damaged pieces), you can straighten them out immediately instead of having to go through all of that after the fact. A little preparation goes a long way when shopping online—and it could help you avoid shipping costs, too!

4) Compare shipping rates

When you buy online, take a moment to compare shipping rates. You’ll find that even a couple of dollars can make a big difference in how much money you spend, especially if you’re placing several orders. Also, remember that if you do opt for faster shipping, there may be additional fees. If your order is too large or overweight to qualify for free shipping on many sites, look into other ways to save on shipping such as ordering multiple items and splitting your shipment between different carriers. (Also: Don't pay to return an item unless it's defective or damaged.)

5) Try before you buy

Although you can now purchase clothing online, it’s a good idea to make sure it fits before committing to buying. A personal shopper is your best option if you’re shopping at a department store or boutique. If you’re looking at ordering online, be aware that shipping costs and return policies will factor into your purchase. Ask about return policies up front and try on as much clothing as possible when ordering clothing online so you know what will fit and look great! Also, don’t forget that sales are often not final; many stores offer special discounts during holidays or clearance sales throughout their fiscal year.

6) Check return policies carefully

If you're shopping online, don't forget to check return policies and shipping times. Many stores will not refund items with obvious signs of wear, even if they are returned in packaging. New clothing may not be eligible for exchange or refund unless it comes back in its original packaging. If you have time before your next purchase, search consumer reviews on popular online clothing retailers to check out return policies as well as sizing information. You might also want to try on clothes at a store before making a purchase; if so, find out your shipping costs ahead of time to avoid surprises at checkout.

7) Consider who your audience is

When shopping online, it’s important to consider your audience. If you have boys or girls, stick to shopping in those respective departments. You don’t want your daughter getting a little dress from a site intended for boys, and you certainly don’t want to present your son with pink sweatshirts. Stick with gender-specific websites if possible; otherwise, start searching by age. The younger kids get, though, be careful of products not intended for that age group. If you have a newborn and you find something cute on a site meant for three-year-olds, do some research first to make sure it isn’t too big or too small—and keep an eye out for choking hazards!

8) Look at other ways to save on kids' clothing

With so many online retailers, finding deals on clothing is a walk in the park. But if you're new to shopping online, you may not know that it pays to look at multiple sites before making a purchase. In fact, a recent survey found that nearly 30 percent of customers have made an online purchase from more than one website in order to find the best deal on their desired item. Start with a quick Google search; by typing something like kids' clothing stores into your search bar, you'll be able to see all of your options at once—and compare prices before making a decision.

9) Shop sales and clearances too

Just because you've found a cute outfit online doesn't mean it's a good deal. Always make sure to check if there are coupons or promo codes you can use to save money on top of any sale prices. You can also find out how many people have viewed an item by visiting its page and checking Sold next to its price under Reviews. This info can help you decide whether or not it's worth buying from that store. It might seem like common sense, but research what a fair price is before making your purchase so you don't overpay. Price tracking apps such as CamelCamelCamel make it easy to spot trends in pricing, too—which is useful when that pair of shoes or dress you want goes on sale at another retailer.

10) Finally, always get free shipping!

We don’t always think about it, but shipping costs are a major expense for online retailers. It’s no surprise that some of them tack on extra fees to offset their expenses. So make sure you take advantage of free shipping offers when you can. If you aren’t finding what you want from a particular retailer and it has to ship from its warehouse or offsite storage, look elsewhere before pulling out your credit card.