Staying safe online starts with a handful of quick checks. Here are 5 steps to decide if a store deserves your trust. At the end you’ll find a short checklist to run before you pay.
1) URL and certificate
- Check for typos or lookalike domains.
- Make sure the site uses HTTPS and a valid certificate.
- Avoid random-looking subdomains like
promo-yourbrand.random-domain.com.
2) Company details and policies
- Look for full company info (name, registration, physical address).
- Read terms, privacy policy, and returns – missing or vague info is a red flag.
- Phone and email should work; send a short message to verify.
3) Reviews and web presence
- Check multiple sources (Google, forums, social) — focus on the newest comments.
- Watch for repeated issues: no delivery, no refunds, support silence.
- Zero independent reviews plus huge discounts = red flag.
4) Payments and refunds
- Safe stores offer cards and trusted wallets; avoid prepay-only bank transfers or crypto.
- Look for clear return rules: address, timeframe, process.
- Never send ID scans or card numbers by email.
5) Offer quality
- Too good to be true: extreme discounts on hot brands are a classic lure.
- Low-quality photos, mixed languages, and typos suggest copied content.
- Test footer links (about, returns, contact) — dead links are common on fake stores.
Quick checklist before you pay
- [ ] URL looks correct and uses HTTPS.
- [ ] Company details, terms, and returns are clear and complete.
- [ ] Independent reviews don’t show delivery or refund issues.
- [ ] Safe payment options (card/wallet) and clear return steps.
- [ ] Offer isn’t “too good to be true”; content is consistent and error-free.
Need a second opinion? Paste the store URL into Hubilado — you’ll get a “safe / caution / avoid” verdict with next steps in seconds.