From formal dress shoes to innovative athletic sneakers, there are plenty of online shoe stores to choose from. However, not all of them are created equal.

Zappos has built its business on quibble-free shipping and returns, while Nordstrom offers exceptional customer service from polite human beings.

Mango, known for its contemporary womenswear, also sells stylish shoes at an affordable price point. Meanwhile, Oliver Cabell focuses on versatile luxury footwear with each pair featuring a clear price breakdown on their website.

1. Check Reviews

Whether you’re looking for sneakers or boots, there are a number of great places to buy shoes online. The best places to shop for shoes online have good prices and shipping, easy returns and a variety of shoe styles to choose from.

Some of the best shoe stores online include DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse), 6pm and Amazon. DSW carries a wide range of shoes including athletic sneakers and performance running shoes, boots and sandals as well as formal shoes.

6pm is the outlet store of Zappos and offers a variety of brands for a low price. They also have a good selection of shoes for kids. Other top shoe stores online include Sam Edelman for fashionable shoes and Overstock for affordable wear averaging around $40.

2. Check Prices

The best online shoe websites like shoekreams3.com offer a wide range of styles at prices that are lower than what you would find in your local shoe retailer. They may also have special sales and discounts on particular shoe styles.

Zappos is known for its seemingly endless supply of shoes in all different sizes and for its lenient return policy. You can even get free shipping on your order if you are a teacher, military member or student.

Nordstrom, 6pm and DSW are all good choices for finding name brand shoes at reasonable prices. Mango is a good choice for trendy, contemporary women’s footwear. They also sell clothing and accessories. You can also find great bargains on shoes at Poshmark, a consumer-to-consumer marketplace. Some items are as low as $10 or $20!

3. Check Shipping Costs

Online shoe shopping can be a little bit tricky, since you’re not trying them on and taking them for a walk before spending your money. However, a lot of online shoe stores offer good returns policies that help ease the process.

Zappos is known for their 365-day quibble-free return policy, and Nordstrom and DSW also have very generous returns policies. However, if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly approach, then you may want to consider sites like Poshmark which offers a mix of shoes sold by individual sellers and also by major retailers.

Another good choice is Amazon Warehouse where you can score great deals on shoes (though keep in mind that shipping costs can add up). The site carries both new and renewed products with discounted prices, and they have an easy-to-use search filter that allows you to narrow down your options.

4. Check Return Policies

When it comes to shoes, you have to feel them on your feet and walk around in them to make sure they’re comfortable. These are things you can’t do when you shop online.

For this reason, it’s important to find an online shoe store with excellent returns policies. Zappos is famous for its quibble-free, totally cost-free returns policy, but Nordstrom also allows returns even if the shoes have been worn.

Other features to look for include a search setup that invites shoppers to hunt by size or type and a variety of filter options such as color, heels or flats. For example, Sam Edelman has an impressive collection of footwear featuring fun prints and bold designs. The brand’s boots, sandals and flats add a bit of edge to any outfit.

5. Check Customer Service

Online shoe stores can’t replicate the expert advice you get when buying shoes in a brick and mortar store, but some do make it a point to offer customer support. This is especially true of shoe stores that focus on offering a wide selection and great return policies, like Zappos.

Another option is to shop with a retailer that combines an online presence with a physical store, such as Nordstrom or DSW. These companies allow shoppers to browse their entire shoe inventory online and then order shoes to be shipped to their nearest branch for free to try on.

6pm, a subsidiary of Zappos, is another good option that offers outlet priced shoes. However, some complaints about their service center around shipping issues and erroneous charges.

Shown David