5 Easy Steps to Buying African Fashion Online

There are many African fashion websites and retailers popping up online to capitalize on the market opportunity. The African Diaspora wants clothing to be a way to reconnect with their heritage. A exploratory survey of U.S. buyers of African fashion revealed that the majority of African-American and African immigrant consumers are Black. Although the reasons behind buying African fashion vary, it is clear that they are often motivated by their love of the designs and a desire for artisans to produce the goods. It is difficult to sell African fashion online, as it can be very difficult to penetrate foreign markets. It takes time, money, and effort to maintain a strong online platform. On the other hand, consumers are searching for brands that align with their values and who they feel comfortable buying from. These are five key points to remember when shopping online for African fashion.

Search for a trusted African fashion market

Marketplaces indicate that sellers are able to sell their goods on one platform. There are many online marketplaces that sell African fashion, such as Afrikrea. Many more are popping up every day. Half the work is done once you have found a trusted marketplace. You will want to ensure that the terms of service on a marketplace's website include a shipping and return policy, as well as secure payment gateways. These items will give you a better understanding of the marketplace's operation. Afrikrea, for example, has many sellers and does not own the products. Because the product is directly sold by the seller, they cannot guarantee satisfaction. They have strict policies to ensure quality control for items sold online by sellers. It is always a good idea read all the fine print.

Read buyer reviews and research the seller

The best and most reliable way to determine if a brand's worth it is word of mouth. Learn from others' experiences to avoid heartache and pain. You can make sure you're making the right purchase, regardless of whether you are purchasing from a marketplace. Voicive some questions that you might want to ask as you conduct your research:

Are they able to provide quick and efficient customer service?

What are the experiences of other buyers?

What is the time it takes to receive and ship your order?

Take a look at the brand's social media presence

Are you having trouble finding online reviews for your product? Perhaps they are still in development or a brand new to the market. You can check their social media presence. It's easy to see the difference between brands that invest in their brand image or online brand persona. As you look through their pages, there are two things that you need to be looking for: authenticity and brand personality. According to statistics by Hubspot 86% consumers prefer authentic brands on social media. Smart Insights 2017, Although high quality pictures don't always indicate quality, it is more easy to purchase from brands that present their products in an appealing way. You should also check if there are pictures of customers using the brand's products or wearing it. These experiences should be verified.

To check the overall quality of the product

Although it is difficult to judge the quality of a product by simply looking at it online, most people agree that pictures do not lie. Take a look at the product from several angles to ensure that you get exactly what you see. Consider how the product looks to you and how it resonates with your emotions. Are you excited by the images? Are you able to understand the product's description? Can you imagine how it might look and feel in real life? If in doubt, you can send an email asking for clarifications about the size, colour and fabric. It is important to remember that African fashion is handmade. However, you should not feel like you are being picky. African brands strive for quality products that are universally applicable. These are the most important points to remember in order to be a happy shopper. You don't want to buy something only to regret it later.

Avoid high shipping costs

African fashion is very rare and difficult to find in North America's regular shops or malls. You might need to pay shipping costs depending on where the seller is located, either on the African continent, or anywhere else. You might consider buying from the seller closest to you. It is important to know the exact location of the seller. This can be done by checking the website to verify that they have an actual address. If not, you can find the address on the order receipt or purchase form. Although shipping costs may seem high, I believe they are worth it as you will receive a unique item. Keep in mind that sellers may require customers to pay custom duties and taxes. This is normal if you're buying from an outside country. You need to understand everything that goes into your purchase, from the beginning. Avoid impulse purchasing. To be happy with your purchase, it takes planning and research. Once you've successfully navigated the process and found trusted sellers, you can make them your preferred brand.

African fashion, or not? What is your proven method for online shopping?