In the past, software consumers were given two options. They could be limited to the meager selections at local retailers, or they could tolerate the slow delivery speeds of mail order companies. Either of these options could leave consumers frustrated, or force them to settle for programs that were “close enough” to what they needed. When you already have a website, you can use mobile sites and convert your website to an mobile application, customize and sync it with your website for free.

Today, thanks in part to the proliferation of high-speed internet, most software can be purchased and downloaded instantly. Best of all, many programs can be tried before you purchase them, or even have free versions.

Getting It Online

Some people may prefer shopping online to wandering through stores. This option becomes even more appealing when you take into account that you can shop around to get the best prices from a broader selection.

Many companies, such as Micro Center, Best Buy, and Fry’s have brick-and-mortar stores that will often allow for free shipping on in store pickups.

Getting It Right Now

If you need a piece of software and time is an issue, then digital distribution might be the way to go. Many sites are now offering the option of purchasing a license and activation key so that you may download the program and activate it immediately. Of course, you’ll want to make sure that you save a copy of the activation key in case you need to reinstall the software later.

Some of the largest retailers that offers digital distribution are Amazon and Newegg, or if you’re looking for games, Steam.

Software manufacturers often sell downloadable copies of their products through their own websites. This is also a good option if you are purchasing a newer version of a program you already have, as most companies offer upgrades at a significant discount.

Getting It For Free

Perhaps the greatest benefit of shopping for software online is the ability to try it before you buy it, or even finding a free alternative.

Most of the large software manufacturers offer free trial versions you can download from their sites, allowing you to try out the software for a set period of time and make sure it’s what you need before you buy it. This is especially helpful when you are dealing with professional level software that can cost hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars. Some also offer free Lite versions that have features removed.

Two of the best resources for trial and free software are CNET and ZDNet. Both sites are also heavily monitored for viruses and spyware, making them some of the safest sites to download from. Another nice feature of each site is an active community that rates and reviews the software that is hosted.

The Open Source Movement

Perhaps best of all, there is also the option of “open source” software. This is software created with the express purpose of being freely distributed. You can often find open source software that performs the same tasks as many of the major commercial software applications. Some good examples are the office suite OpenOffice and the image editor Gimp.

Open source software can sometimes be difficult to find. Thankfully OSDir maintains a list open source applications across multiple platforms.

Staying Safe

When downloading software, always remember to practice safe surfing habits. Read site reviews, keep your anti-virus up to date, find out where your friends download from, and never download from an unknown source. If you feel like you might be in trouble, you probably are.

This article was written by DJ Sweetin for the team at jobsitepm.com; contact them to learn more about Construction Photo Management Software.