Is New Always Better Online?
Take a look at Apple’s latest iPhone and compare it with the iPhone 6 released five years ago. They are polar opposite in everything, albeit the logo and name. The latest smartphone has a camera that rivals plenty of DSLR devices. It features the most advanced iOS software and processes data at mega speeds.
In many ways, deals from new online businesses are like new iPhones. They look fancier, they are more powerful and feature technologies that didn’t exist a decade ago. But does that mean you should grab the latest online deals at the first chance?
Ask the Right Questions
When a new shopping site pops up and offers you 30% discounts on everything, ask a few questions. When did they open? Are they registered and licensed? What are people saying about them?
For starters, you want to work with a licensed company. Preferably, the business should have offered its services for a while. That way, you know it’s legitimate, and some people can attest to that.
Depending on what services you need, you might require to ask more questions. That’s because you want to be sure that spending your money on a new platform will result in a better experience than using an established business. Again, you want to use a safe company that won’t scam you.
Look for Helpful Features
Many startups tend to provide something their established counterparts lack. A new movie streaming website could promise new films weekly. It could also offer higher quality resolutions and the option to rent some flicks if you upgrade.
If you’re not willing to upgrade, then the movie-renting service isn’t helpful to you. Instead, your only concern should be the films provided weekly and the streaming experience. If it’s better than what some veteran sites offer, it could be worth a shot.
As a result, compare all the unique feature startups are promising to offer you. Then decide which website has exactly what you need so that you don’t overspend on features you don’t necessarily require.
Identify Game Changers
One of the reasons you might want to consider a deal from a new online company is if they have game-changing offers. Let’s say you want to play poker online. There are tons of new licensed websites you can use.
But there’s one new online casino that offers zero wagering requirements for its bonuses. That’s a game-changer. By claiming bonuses with no playthrough, any money you win while using them is yours to keep. In contrast, regular bonuses require that you spend a specific amount of money at the website before you cash out winnings.
With a song streaming app, the game-changer could be the ability to help you find songs you would love from upcoming artists. And maybe all other apps connect you with famous artists alone.
Compare Benefits versus Disadvantages
When considering deals from new online businesses, comparing the potential benefits versus the risks involved is crucial. Let’s say you want to spend $300 on a 3-year marketing software package. You know the company is new and hasn’t been in business for three years.
Yet its $300 three-year subscription sounds good to you. Are you willing to risk the money on an untested program? Does the program promise to help make enough money that you will recoup your $300 in a shorter time?
In many cases, test a company’s products and services in the cheapest possible way. If it’s a VPN service provider, use its free trial program. Alternatively, subscribe for a one week or month service. Then decide whether it’s worth investing more money.
Saving Money versus Getting More Value
Many new companies operate on two premises. On the one hand, a business could promise you more savings on your expenses. On the other, it could offer something existing companies fail to provide.
As a customer, it’s up to you to decide what matters more. For example, would you want to save some money from your Internet Service Provider (ISP)? Or would you rather receive buffing-free connectivity? A third startup might also offer to solve both problems.
Most people want a company that offers stable Internet connectivity at affordable rates. But if you can’t get both, you might have to make a compromise. That’s why you need to evaluate several providers carefully to ensure you don’t overspend or save a few bucks for buffing Internet connections.
Compare an Established versus New Business
Feeling reluctant to change your online banking provider or your moving streaming website is alright. But refusing to give a new company the chance to provide itself might not be the best approach to solving issues.
Instead, register for the new banking app and compare its services with what you get elsewhere. How are the fees? Which app has the better speed? Which one is easier to use?
Sometimes you might get surprised by how committed startups are when it comes to rivalling existing businesses. They research meticulously and work on the flaws established companies forget to fix.
Consult Reviews
Online reviews have a somewhat checkered reputation these days. Some people believe in them as much as they trust their friends’ opinions. On the other hand, some say reviews can’t be trusted anymore.
Truth be told, not all reviews can be trusted. That means there are some excellent reviews you should consult. And there are some you should identify and ignore. When dealing with new online businesses, in particular, choose reviews to trust judiciously.
Find a website known for providing objective reviews. Then read its opinion of a new startup whose services you want to use. If possible, find another site you trust and read its review also. Then decide what decision to make based on online reviews and your observation.
The Takeaway
New isn’t always better, even on the Internet. However, some new startups offer much better deals than established companies. And for that reason, always pay attention to the newbies. Ask the right questions and find what value they are offering. If everything checks out, consider using their services.