Buying from Canada does not mean having to compromise on product choice. At www.shoptoit.ca shoppers can choose from over 500,000 products available in Canada.

The mall can be crazy during the Holiday season with long checkouts and next to no parking available. Cyberspace is a great alternative for "stress-free" shopping - be it to research the local stores that have gifts available at the best prices or to purchase items online. Shopping from online retailers has its own set of rules for a safe and convenient experience. We've turned to Clark Johannson, president and CEO of Canadian-based shopping search engine Shoptoit.ca, for some advice.

1. Set a budget

In the rush to get everything done in time for Christmas we often overspend. Set a budget for each person before you start shopping.

Once you are better prepared, the Internet is an excellent resource for finding gifts at the right price. Many online retailers, such as www.toysrus.ca and www.canadiantire.ca, let you search for products within certain price brackets.

2. Use comparison shopping sites

These sites allow you to compare products and prices from hundreds of retailers. Canada's largest comparison shopping site is www.shoptoit.ca, which shows results for over 500,000 products from retailers that ship from Canada only. For example, if you're looking for a digital camera you'll be able to choose between 300 different models then see which retailer has the best price or is closest to you.

The Americans have had comparison shopping sites, such as www.shopping.com, for several years.

3. Use reviews

The web has become a huge resource for finding information on products and services. Even if you don't intend to buy your Christmas gifts from an online retailer, the Internet is an excellent source for finding out about the availability of products in local stores and which products perform the best.

Sites, such as www.epinions.com have millions of consumer reviews on millions of products. Comparison shopping sites also offer excellent side-by-side comparisons of products to quickly identify feature and price differences.

4. Tell people what you want

For the dad who has everything or the teenager who wants everything, online wish lists are the answer. It's as simple as it sounds, you put the gifts you want on a list online that your friends and family can access.

Commerce and shopping search sites, like www.chapters.ca, and www.shoptoit.ca, as well as dedicated list sites, such as www.wishlist.com, allow visitors to create and share their individual Holiday wish lists.

5. Keep your credit safe

Once you are ready to make that purchase, there are ways in which you can safeguard your credit information. Most online merchants use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) to encrypt your data or Secure Electronic Transactions (SET), so no third party can view it. Also, look for the VeriSign seal on a site. Online retailers that display this sign assure visitors that the site is secure and that your data will be encrypted. Purchase your products from secure sites.

6. Keep it simple - stay in Canada

Purchasing products that are shipped within Canada removes concerns about warranties, returns, surprise customs bills and shipping costs and delays. With Canadian companies such as ClickSpace.com offering e-commerce software for as little as $50 per month, thousands of small companies are now selling online.

So, don't overlook small Canadian boutique shops like www.cosysoles.ca that sell heated slippers, www.plushhomeanddesign.com that offer custom made pillows or www.klinq.com that sell trendy cookware. Canada has a lot to offer online.