How to block shopping websites

Reduce your online shopping and the urge to overspend by blocking shopping websites

Online shopping is very convenient when you need to buy something in a hurry and from the warmth of your home, but it’s also a habit that can get out of hand quickly. Online shopping is on the rise, with the average consumer spending about five hours weekly browsing for products on various websites.

Of course, that much time spent shopping online isn’t necessary. The statistic indicates that most people tend to browse items that wouldn’t usually interest them. Unfortunately, with more browsing comes more buying, which can easily lead to overspending.

At first, the expense might not seem very big. However, small online purchases add up with time, eating at your budget. That’s why you’ll want to exercise control over how much you access e-commerce web pages.

The benefits of blocking shopping websites

You’ve probably heard about ways to block sites like social media, distracting websites, and those with adult content. A website blocker can be handy in those cases, but it can also help you keep online shopping in check.

The first benefit, naturally, refers to your budget. If you add online shops to your block list, you won’t be tempted to buy things you don’t actually need. Instead, you’ll need to seek out your purchases intentionally.

Next, blocking specific sites may protect your personal data. While there are many legitimate shopping sites out there, some could host files or popups with harmful computer codes. Adding such websites to your blacklist may protect you from online dangers.

Finally, shopping-related web content can become distracting. If you block shopping websites, you may reduce your overall screen time and stay focused on more productive activities.

Different ways to block shopping websites on different devices

You can block websites on all devices, from Windows and Mac computers to smartphones. There’s also a universal solution, mostly for computers and devices using your home Wi-Fi. If your router has the option to block traffic, you could ensure none of the devices that connect through it can get to Amazon or any other shopping website.

The methods for doing that may involve content restriction apps or web browser plugins. Here’s a breakdown of different ways to block shopping websites by device.

How to block shopping websites on Macs

The easiest way to block websites on a Mac is to use the built-in parental controls. These settings are primarily there to limit adult website use, but users can expand the blocking list to include custom website URLs.

You can access Parental Controls (Screen Time for all macOS after and including Catalina) through the System Preferences menu or the computer’s Terminal. Set up a new account, go to the Web options, and add any address you want to be blocked for that account.

Although this setting is handy, it has certain shortcomings. For instance, you won’t be able to block sites on browsers like Firefox, Chrome, or Opera. The settings will apply only to Apple’s own Safari. If you want to ensure maximal functionality, getting a dedicated blocker app would be better.

How to block shopping websites on iPhones

Blocking websites on iPhones and iPads will function much the same as blocking on Mac computers. You can use the built-in solution, Screen Time, or an app from the App Store. Luckily, there are several free apps for this purpose. You may set up different permissions, control notifications, and tweak other options.

How to block shopping websites on Android devices

Android phones and tablets usually don’t have a system app that handles website blocking. However, the advantage of these devices is the plethora of options available through the Google Play Store. You can find different solutions for mobile phones, from general security apps to dedicated blockers and firewalls.

How to block shopping websites on Chrome

Google Chrome has become more advanced when it comes to protecting personal content & privacy. The Chrome web store has thousands of add-ons for the browser that make customization easy. You can browse the store and add extensions for site blocking.

Since the best Chrome extensions come with advanced settings, you can easily add websites to the blocking list, tailoring your browsing experience precisely how you want it.

How to block shopping websites on Safari

There’s no direct option to block websites on Safari. However, you can use the system options on your macOS or iOS device to restrict traffic for this browser in particular.

Alternatives to surfing the web distraction-free

Once you’ve done away with distractions, you can start using the internet more productively. You may take advantage of various online apps like text to speech tools, private search engines, and learning platforms.

Text to speech applications

Text to speech (TTS) tools are an excellent way to ease up on reading online texts. Instead, you can listen to them. Of course, you’ll need a great text to speech engine to make listening as enjoyable as possible.

Speechify offers the ideal TTS service with numerous narrator voices and advanced customization. If you want to hear Speechify for yourself, you can try it out for free.

Private search engines

Using private search engines can provide more objective search results. In addition, the best private search engines are dedicated to protecting your privacy. You can try various options and take a rest from Google, Bing, or Yahoo.

Learning

The internet is filled with wonderful learning resources. Once you’re free from distractions, you can discover websites that offer new knowledge and skills. Even better, you can find many free sites that teach a variety of courses on practically every subject.

FAQ

How do I block online shopping sites?

You can avoid the pitfalls of online shopping in two ways. First, you may unsubscribe from all online shop newsletters to avoid temptation. Second, you can use various apps or tweak browser settings to block specific websites.

Can I block certain websites for myself?

You can block any website for yourself or any other user. Use the methods from this guide to employ the site-blocking option of your choice.

Can I block websites on my phone?

Website-blocking tools exist for all smartphones, including iOS and Android devices.

How can I block websites on Chrome?

You can block websites on Chrome relatively easily, either by adjusting Chrome’s settings or via site-blocking extensions.