With the 2023 shopping season in full swing, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself in the market for a few items. And as you begin your search, you’ll also find that there’s no shortage of options to choose from. That’s especially true if you’re interested in buying anything technology-related.

Before we get into the finer details of buying technology products for the year to come, here’s something to keep in mind: no two companies or products are the same. Even if they appear identical on the surface, there are finer details that separate them. For example, Sarcos Robotics is a global leader in robotic technology with new competitors surfacing regularly. When making such a big purchase for your business, you don’t want to take any risks. 

Here are five things you should know about buying business technology products in 2023:

1. Shop online to save money

This is one of those things that most people already know, but it’s definitely worth mentioning again. When you shop online, you position yourself to save money. There are no two ways about it. It’s not always possible, but most of the time it’s the best place to start.

Depending on the type of product you’re shopping for, there may be more than one store selling it. This puts you in an even better position, as you can comparison shop by price to ensure that you get the best deal. 

2. Reviews tell a big story

You want to know as much about a product before making a purchase, so it’s important to read as many reviews as you can find. This is simple if you conduct an online search. Some products will have more reviews than others, but you should be able to find what you’re looking for with a wide enough search.

The key thing to remember is that you have to take each review with a grain of salt. Look for common themes that point toward a problem or a solution. 

3. Try before you buy

This goes along with reading reviews. When possible, try out a product before you make a purchase. This allows you to proceed with confidence. This isn’t always possible, but if you get creative you can probably make it happen.

For example, if you’re interested in a new type of digital technology, ask others in your industry if they have access to one. If they do, ask if you can visit them for a closer look. Explain that you’re interested in making a purchase but want to try the product first. Most people are more than willing to provide you with this opportunity.

4. New technology today is often outdated tomorrow

This is a difficult pill to swallow, but it’s something that you need to take into consideration. The technology that you buy today may not suit your needs forever. That’s okay, as long you realize what you’re getting into upfront. 

When buying technology products, answer these two questions:

• What do you expect the product to offer you today?
• How can the item benefit you and your company in the future?

The answers to these questions will help you make informed decisions. The answers will also help you spend your money wisely. 

5. Shipping times can be long

This is even more so the case in today’s day and age. Shipping times are longer than ever before, so you should expect a delay to happen. In other words, if you need the product immediately, you’ll want to focus heavily on the shipping time. You don’t want to find yourself in a difficult spot when the item you need doesn’t arrive when you thought it would. 

Protect against delays by asking the seller for a clear timeline of delivery. And if you have any questions about their response, dig deeper. 

Note: even if a seller tells you that an item will arrive by a specific date, it doesn’t always happen. Supply chain issues are bogging down almost every industry. 

Final thoughts

If you find yourself shopping for and buying business technology products in 2023, the five tips above will point you in the right direction.

Have you followed these tips in the past? Would you add any other tips to this list?