There may be some surprise that e-commerce is becoming "Big Business" in the eyes of consumers and shopkeepers alike. As with anything new, there are those who jumped anxiously onto the bandwagon immediately, those who stayed as far away as possible, and those who managed to remain neutral in the middle. Perhaps they are concerned about security or don't want to buy items they can't touch or try on, like shoes, or maybe they are simply unsure of what to do. To ease any worries you might have about shopping over the Internet, we've compiled the best list available, "The Top Tips for Buying Shoes Online":

1. Look for a Verisign seal or another security logo. If you are worried about identity theft, you should know that using your credit card online is not as risky as swiping your card in a store. To make sure that your financial information is protected, look for a security logo on the front page to ensure it is secure.

2. Be sure your shop of choice has an above average return policy. A basic return policy will do, but it's always a good idea to do business with a company that offers excellent customer service. Returns with no questions asked without a specific timeframe will make it easier for you to buy gifts, while returns with worn with no worries will make it easy to buy a pricey brand you've never heard of.

3. Free Shipping! Not only for shoelaces, but for any order over a certain threshold, shipping should be free.

4. Find an online retailer with a wide selection of styles and brands. Even though your replica shoes shopping mission for today is one particular item, you may need to buy something else in the future. In addition, variety is the spice of life- the more you have to choose from, the more satisfied you will be.

5. A wide selection of sizes. There's nothing worse than finding out they've run out of your size after narrowing it down to just one shoe. A good store will have an extensive inventory in all sizes.

6) Purchase from a physical store as well as an e-commerce site. Moreover, if you decide to return your purchase there instead of shipping it back to you, you won't worry that you've been ripped off by a fly-by-night online scammer. A real store exists with real employees and real merchandise, so you won't have to worry about being scammed. A knowledgeable staff member can give you advice about trends or the best shoe to fit your needs based on their knowledge of the merchandise they sell.