Flowers make a great gift. With their rich colours and natural beauty they are enough to brighten anyone's day and fill their home environment with warmth and comfort. If you want to make a romantic gesture or offer a gift to a friend, they're a perfect choice. But finding flowers is only part of it; it is just as important that you find the right way to have them delivered.

Small local florists still do good trade, and you will always find someone on hand who will be able to help you seek out what you're looking for even though their choice will be inevitably constrained. The Internet however has opened up so many more possibilities for customers.

At the touch of a button you can search through all kinds of flower arrangements and find something perfect. By going online you'll be able to scan different types of blooms, varieties, styles and bouquet designs from which you can make your choice.

The added bonus to the wealth of services on offer on the Internet is that the greater competition means companies are keen to deliver lower prices to their customers, saving you more money.

However, there are of course always risks with shopping online. When you go out and buy something you get to see the product with your own eyes, touch it, and deal with someone face-to-face. The reality is that on the Internet it is not always so straightforward.

If you want your flowers to be delivered to the recipient at the time you specify, you will inevitably have to pay an additional charge for the service. Make sure that you know from the outset what the extra charges or fees will be, whether they are included in the upfront price or whether in fact you will be charged separately. If you aren't sure, then you might find you end up unexpectedly paying a big price simply to get your flowers delivered.

As you will have to use a credit or debit card when making the online purchase, you must make sure the site you're using has a secured server. This will enable you to input your details and protect your privacy at the same time. If not, there is always the potential for fraudsters to take advantage, so minimising the risk is vital.

So when you go shopping for flowers for loved ones online, you want to enjoy the convenience and the choice it affords while being confident that your privacy and your money are protected. Start by searching among the larger and well-regarded companies, and look for whoever can offer quick and safe flower delivery at a decent price.

Maricruz Tennill is a flower expert and writer based in Oxford with over 50 years experience of flowers. They recommend Interflora for flowers Oxford.