Ordering tickets online is a quick, easy, and convenient way for most people to reserve seats. It doesn't matter if you're looking for concert tickets (maybe you want to check out your favorite band's reunion tour) or you need those front row seats for the next ballgame (Atlanta Braves tickets, anyone?)-- you should follow a few guidelines to ensure you're not only getting a great deal on seats but that you're ordering them securely.
The first thing you should always be wary of is from who you're ordering these tickets-- is it an online service or an individual? If you are ordering from a ticket site that has individuals posting, is there a policy to protect you from scammers? Always check the fine print to clarify what is and is not covered should you not receive the tickets you expected. Also, always make sure that you are ordering from the actual site and not a replica-- you can usually tell from the security features present on login screens-- if it's hard to tell or you feel skeptical, don't enter your information.
In terms of payment-- always use your credit card or promotional gifts-- they provide protection that you do not get from transactions with cash or check. Not to mention that most places online will probably only offer you the option of a gift card, debit, or credit. With these choices you can dispute charges or misrepresentation in the description of the seating location.
So, the next time you decide, "I think I'm going to order Braves tickets for next week," follow these guidelines. They'll help you out.