Buying DIY products online can be more complicated than other easily understood lines. For example, how to know physical size, quality exact colour etc without the product being right in front of you?. Most UK DIY Product websites, do their best to be accurate, they understand that just placing a listing is not enough, but the advantages of home delivery can really make the difference.
Home Improvement Online Suppliers
The care to detail is what makes one DIY home improvement website stand out from the rest and understanding of customers needs and how important these products are to making a home of their dreams.
Most of these DIY websites will inspire project ideas, offer tips and tricks and great DIY advice, from home decorating to laying a floor. The tools to do the job, as well as the accessories to make that DIY project a bit easier.
DIY product reviews also feature within some websites, to get an independent view of quality and service.
Lets look At Some British home improvement online suppliers you have probably heard of
B&Q Diy.com UK’s Largest
The largest DIY retailer in Europe and a UK household name when it comes to home improvement It is unusual that the website is not their brand name, but the “& bit” maybe was not that user friendly when remembering where to go online.
The B&Q website has a header menu, but probably the largest DIY project type. The images underneath give a better menu flow and understanding of where products should be. For example should an electric fire be under heating or electrical? The picture makes it clear.
There are also finance options, for larger purchases.
Screwfix a Tradesman Favourite
Yes Screwfix was brought together to be the Argos of the tradesman. Their bricks and mortar shop areas do not have physical shelves to hold stock, you give a DIY product number and the staff member behind the checkout brings it to you from the warehouse, just like an Argos store
The benefit is, they can have smaller DIY retail outlets yet stock a larger amount of products. The downside of course is, you needed to know what product you need, so the service is always more suited to the trade rather than the DIY enthusiast and this is reflected within the Screwfix website too.
However, more and more consumers have started to use Screwfix for their DIY projects, due to its quick delivery and trade prices.
https://www.screwfix.com
Wickes: Favourite Sellers
The business model of Wickes used to be about, just stocking the best sellers. This meant there was not as much range as say B&Q, but Wickes would stock the DIY items you were likely to buy. This saved space and reduced costs for holding stock, so could be more competitive on price. This can mean it is easier to find the DIY supplies you are looking for as you are not scrolling down as many listings as the bigger players.
Building Supplies Online – Like A Builders Merchant
In order to deliver building supplies, the retailer needs to be set up with the right transport set up. BSO prides itself in having the largest range of building supplies online and next day UK delivery for many products and so acts like a builders merchant. Building Supplies Online also provide, sheds, doors and bathrooms to name a few.
Clearly set up with trade in mind, but also will supply to the DIY customer. Often the larger DIY retailers, get their prices down by having huge buying power, where others have a more personal relationship with local merchants. BSO, deal more with industry leading manufacturers.
Online Challenges DIY retailers
Most home improvement purchases are either to fix an emergency or to create a dream home. Either DIY Project requires a high level of knowledge to be presented to the potential customer online. All these DIY websites, show a level of understanding of what knowledge a customer would need to buy online
However not all challenges are easily solved looking online, take matching colours as an example. Every computer monitor has brightness and colour settings which may not reflect the exact colour of block paving, paint, wallpaper or any other home improvement item. Here lies a challenge for these home improvement websites, to give the best indication of how something will look in your home, the right shade and texture.
Take a brass electrical switch from 3 different manufacturers. Chances are the shade and finish will be different on each, so you would be surprised how much effort goes into images to reflect that difference.
Each DIY website has it’s own character to represent it’s values and product range. Some will expand into craft ideas, where others are aimed at the trade and professional diyer’s.
To decide what is the best DIY website, is really up to the visitor and their love for “Do It Yourself” and the prices and range of course.
DIY Online Payment Options
It is normal for DIY websites to take major credit cards, but be careful with American express and papal as not all sites may accept them.
All sites are secure and the https protocol and registering with them will speed up any future transactions. Delivery options and costs do vary, so check these out first.
PS. Good luck with than DIY Project
