Shopping online is not only a comfortable alternative to trekking to the store, it's also a fantastic way to save money .on everyday purchases. The San Francisco Chronicle recently provided its readers with some tips to help them save big when perusing their favorite retailer's website.

Perhaps the best way to find the best deals on the web is to compare prices among competitors. Unlike shopping at the store, it's easy to view similar products from two different companies side-by-side and select the best offer.

There are several websites that collect online coupon .codes. These passwords can be used on many popular websites to find discounts that offer a certain percentage off your purchase or a two-for-one offer.

Many companies provide free shipping as a way to entice shoppers. This can save big bucks, as often a consumer will be caught off-guard by the amount of money they are charged in order to receive their purchases.

When shopping on the web, it's essential to protect one's information, as there are nearly 9 million cases of identity theft each year in the U.S., according to the Federal Trade Commission.