Online shopping is convenient – until your order never arrives or your money just disappears. We speak with entrepreneurs and consumers about online safety every day – and unfortunately, we still see too many people falling for fake shops. Luckily, with a few simple checks, you can quickly determine if a webshop is reliable. This article will help you do just that – based on our experience and insights from official sources such as the Chamber of Commerce (KVK), WebwinkelKeur, and Thuiswinkel.org.
Check if it has a quality mark
A reliable quality mark doesn’t tell the whole story, but it is a strong indication. Examples include:
- WebwinkelKeur
- Thuiswinkel Waarborg
- Trustmark
Note: fraudsters can easily copy these logos. Always click on the logo and check if you land on the official page of the quality mark. If the link doesn’t work or the company name doesn’t match, it’s a red flag.
Practical tip: when building webshops, we always check whether the quality mark is correctly and properly linked. A mistake here is often the first red flag.
Look up the webshop at the Chamber of Commerce (KvK)
In the Netherlands, registration with the Chamber of Commerce (KvK) is mandatory for businesses. Check if the company actually exists via kvk.nl. No KvK number, or one that doesn’t match? Don’t place an order.
Also check the VAT number via the official EU database: VIES. This is especially helpful for webshops operating in multiple countries.
Check reviews – but only on independent sites
You can learn a lot from other customers’ experiences. Look for reviews on platforms outside the webshop itself, such as:
- Trustpilot
- Google Reviews
- WebwinkelKeur
No reviews, or only extremely positive ones? That’s often a sign that something is wrong. We see this with fake shops that are only online for a short time and disappear quickly.
Are the contact details correct?
A webshop with nothing to hide displays its contact details. Examples include:
- Full physical address (not just a P.O. box)
- A working phone number
- An email address on its own domain (not Gmail or Outlook)
Why this is important: with legitimate businesses, you can reach someone. With unreliable webshops, you get nowhere. We always advise clients to ask test questions if they’re unsure – a serious webshop will respond.
Pay attention to the payment options
Secure webshops offer safe payment methods. Examples include:
- iDEAL
- Bancontact
- Klarna or Riverty (pay later)
If a webshop only offers obscure foreign payment methods, there’s a high chance you’ll lose your money. This is something we often see with consumers who end up buying from foreign dropshippers without realizing it.
Check the URL and the appearance of the site
A reliable domain:
- Starts with https://
- Contains no spelling errors or strange extensions (such as bol-com.xyz)
Also look at the overall appearance of the site:
- Is the language used correct?
- Does everything work properly from a technical standpoint?
- Are the images of good quality?
Our experience: fake shops often use rushed translations, stolen product photos, and broken links. You can spot this quickly – if you know what to look for.
Quick checklist: is this webshop reliable?
✔️ A recognized quality mark is displayed (with a working link)
✔️ Positive reviews on multiple platforms
✔️ Clear and complete contact details
✔️ Known and secure payment options
✔️ Terms and conditions and return policy are easy to find
✔️ URL without spelling errors, with https
✔️ Clean design and proper language
If in doubt? Just don’t do it.
Online shopping should be enjoyable, not a gamble. Every day, we see how one quick check can save people hundreds of euros. Trust your instincts and the checklist above. Still unsure? Order elsewhere – there are plenty of reliable webshops.
More tips & tricks?
