What online services can do for you

Unlock the benefits of doing your day to day tasks online.

Jump to chapter

Introduction 1. Household and admin tasks 2. Accessing local services 3. Planning trips and travel

Introduction to 'What online services can do for you'

How can online services help you with your day-to-day life? Well, they could save you time, money – or both.

We asked people how being online has helped them to do this (PDF, 9.9Mb). 

 

Here's what we found:

79%

Shopped around online to save money.

3 in 5

Saved when booking travel online.

More than half

Benefited by booking appointments online.

In this lesson, we’ll get you started by exploring some of the things you can do online. Some of these might help save you time and/or money, Or they could just make life that little bit easier for you.

What you'll learn

  • What household and admin tasks you can do online.
  • Local services you can book online.
  • How online tools can help you plan and manage your travel.

How long it takes

10 minutes

Chapter 1 - Household and admin tasks

Household and admin tasks

Chapter 1

How long it takes

1 minute

Saving time on your everyday tasks

Managing a home and everyday admin can feel like a constant juggling act. The good news is, online tools can help turn that around.

Whether it’s paying bills, booking appointments, storing important documents or even automating reminders for life’s little tasks, these tools can help you stay on top of things. Once you’ve set them up, they can make everyday tasks quicker, easier and more manageable. Leaving you more time for the things that really matter.

Let’s look at a few examples. We’ve included links to some of our other lessons here, too. Use these to find out more about each one.

Everyday tasks you can do online:

Use Government services

By going online, you can apply for benefits, file your taxes and check your pension details.

Contact your local council

For example, to access care services, check bin collection days or report potholes. 

Look after your money

Bank online to check your balance and make payments, or use tools that can help you budget.

Shop

Whether you’re looking for groceries, clothes or gifts, shopping online can be a real time-saver.

Pay your bills and utilities

With instant access to your accounts, go online to pay bills, check your usage.

Plan and manage your travel

Websites, apps and online maps can help you book a cheap flight, check when the next bus is due or even avoid traffic jams.

Renew your insurance

Using online tools, you can compare and apply for insurance policies or check on your existing cover.

Manage dates and appointments

Reminders on your phone or smart speaker let you know when it's time to send that birthday card or book your car's MOT.

Introduction - What online services can do for you
Chapter 2 - Accessing local services

Accessing local services

Chapter 2

How long it takes

3 minutes

Supporting local businesses online

From getting a haircut to ordering a takeaway, we often have favourite local services. Going online doesn’t mean replacing yours. It can even be a way of supporting them.

How this helps local businesses:

They can reach more people

Many local shops use online services to reach more people. Like when someone searches for ‘plumbers near me’.

It's working for them, 24/7

People can check shop opening hours, get directions and book online, even when they’re closed.

It saves them time

Ordering online means the business can spend less time on the phone, and more in the shop.

It can help their reputation

Social media posts and online reviews can help to raise their profile and build customer trust.

What local services can I use online?

  • You can’t get an online haircut, but you can book a haircut through your local salon’s website. Nail bars and other beauty salons often have similar sites and apps.

    You’ll find a list of their services, prices and availability. Use their system to pick the service you want and who you want to do it.

    You can also look for salons online using a search engine. 

    More on this topic

    Want to know more about how search engines can help you find these and other services?

    Our Search for information online lesson can help.

  • Feeling hungry? Whether you’re dining out, meeting friends for a coffee or getting a takeaway, you can start online. This could be finding somewhere to eat, checking out menus or comparing local cafés.

    Many restaurants and takeaways let you order online for collection and delivery. Some have their own website where you can order. Others use food delivery services like Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat. 

    Idea

    Most food delivery services have their own apps.

    Find and download these from your device’s app store.

  • Most doctors now have a website. Some will use it to give you advice and resources. Others use systems like PATCHS and Patient Access to let you book an appointment or check test results – no need to phone!

    To find your local GP online, the NHS have a search tool you can use. The NHS app can help too – for instance, when you want to order a repeat prescription.

    Just like doctors’ surgeries, how much you can see or do on a dentist’s website will vary. Some only give you advice and information. Others let you book, register and look up the prices of treatments. The same is true for other healthcare providers, like physiotherapists, speech therapists and pharmacies that offer vaccinations.

    More on this topic

    We cover this in more detail in our ‘Access healthcare online’ lesson.

  • There are different levels of councils. County councils usually look after things like education and transport. District, borough, city, town, parish and community councils look after things like council tax and rubbish collections.

    The government website has a helpful tool to help you find your local council. Once you type in your postcode, it will direct you to their website. Depending on what you want to do, you should be able to find help or advice. Some councils also have online systems for you to create an account and carry out your tasks.

      Most councils will offer online guides to help with:

      • Bins and recycling
      • Admin around births, marriages and deaths
      • Business help
      • Community concerns
      • Council tax
      • Environment and health issues
      • Housing benefits
      • Parking
      • Penalty notices
      • Planning and building
      • Roads
      • Schools and learning
      • Social care
    Chapter 1 - Household and admin tasks
    Chapter 3 - Planning trips and travel

    Planning trips and travel

    Chapter 3

    How long it takes

    6 minutes

    Why arrange travel online?

    Book or change your travel on the go

    There’s no need to go to a ticket booth or a travel agent. Everything you need is on your device. So when plans change, you can amend or cancel your travel plans – at home or on the move.

    Plus, you can keep all your documents in one place on a mobile device.

    Save money by comparing prices

    Price comparison sites let you see lots of travel options and prices all in one place. This means you don’t need to waste time going from provider to provider, to find the best deal.

    What travel services are online?

    Here’s a few ideas of online tools that can help you plan your trips and manage your journeys.

    Travel research and review sites

    Use Google and sites like Trivago, TravelSupermarket and TripAdvisor to research, compare and check reviews of hotels, airlines and holiday companies.

    Airline websites and travel platforms

    Book and manage your flights check itineraries, and receive e-tickets. Most airlines have both websites and mobile apps, so you can check your flight status wherever you are.

    Bus, train and tram apps

    Book tickets, check the time of the next train/bus, find your nearest stop, get service status alerts. Search for your local transport service or use UK sites like TrainLine and TrainPal.

    Taxi apps

    Your local taxi service may have their own website or app where you can book.

    Alternatively, apps like Uber and Bolt let you book, pay for and track your ride.

    Online maps and navigation apps

    Plan your routes, look up attractions and find your way around unfamiliar places with apps like Google Maps, Citymapper and What3Words.

    Parking apps

    Pay from your phone using apps like Ringo and PayByPhone – no need to hunt for change or find a working payment machine. Others like YourParkingSpace and JustPark let you pre-book your parking space.

    Road user sites and apps

    Find out about planned road closures and other disruptions, before you set off.

    Start with the national sites for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

    Travel insurance comparison sites

    Compare providers and find the deal that’s right for you.

    Translation tools

    Going abroad?

    Free tools like Google Translate, Microsoft Translator and the AI tool ChatGPT can help you speak to people you meet or read local signs or menus.

    Booking your travel and trips online

    Booking your travel online is about making choices that fit your preferences and budget, and these simple steps ensure you're in control of your journey.

    Let’s look at how to book your travel online. These steps apply whether you're booking flights, trains, coaches, ferries, buses, or trams.

    Step 1

    Search

    Use a travel planning tool (like Skyscanner, Kayak or Trainline)  to look for flights, trains, coaches, ferries or other transport options. 

    Check what’s available – look at costs, times, availability and what’s included.

    Step 2

    Compare

    Most platforms let you filter and compare results , whether it’s different providers or various routes and times. For example, a direct train might be faster but one with changes or at an earlier / later time might be cheaper.

    Step 3

    Select

    You may be starting here, if you already know your provider and how you’ll travel.

    Pick the option that works best for you - like a quiet train carriage or a window seat. You may even be able to book a specific seat. Some choices may cost extra, so do check.

    Step 4

    Details and payment

    You’ll be asked for details like passenger information, plus how you’ll pay.

    Always check the site or app is secure before you give your card details. Not sure how to do this? Our Shop online lesson has a chapter on how to pay safely.

    Step 5

    Confirmation

    After payment, you'll receive a confirmation email. This should show the details of your booking, whether it's a ticket for a train, flight, or other mode of transport.

    Check these details carefully, and if anything’s wrong, let the provider know as soon as possible.

    Idea

    With the Railcard app or website, you can buy railcards that can save you money on each journey you take.

    It’s now possible to buy and use Railcards directly from the Trainline app too. This makes it easy to keep everything in one place.

    Staying safe when you book online

    By using websites and companies you trust, you can reduce your chance of getting scammed. Always check the reviews for the sites and sellers you’re using. Ask around, to see if anyone you know has used them. Online criminals can sell fake bookings online, so take the time to stop and check. 

    Stop

    Does this offer or product seem too good to be true?

    Check

    Does the site or seller have trusted, positive reviews?

    Go

    Do you feel confident to continue with your booking?

    More on this topic

    Want to learn more about keeping safe when you’re using online services?

    Check out our lesson ‘Ten tips for staying safe’.

    Using online maps and navigation apps

    On the move? Accessing maps online can be really useful. Most search engines have maps built into them. When you search, select the ‘maps’ tab at the top to see and access these.

     

    Other navigation tools include:

    For all modes of transport

    Google Maps and Citmapper both let you choose whether you’re driving, walking or using public transport.

    Walking and cycling

    Planning a run, walk or bike ride? Try apps like Plotaroute and MapMyWalk.

    How to use maps

    Set start and end location

    Some apps let you add extra stops in between, too.

    Pick how you want to travel

    Like your mode of transport, plus whether you want to avoid motorways or toll roads.

    Start your navigation

    You’ll get a set of directions to look at before you set off, or just follow as you go.

    Be aware

    Sometimes it can be easier to use maps through an app, especially if you are on a mobile device.

    If you’re in a car or can’t use your phone safely, maps can usually speak the directions out loud to you.

    Activity

    Think about a recent trip you had. How do you think your trip could've been better, easier or cheaper using online services?

    Try using some of the services we have covered in this lesson to explore some ideas.

    Chapter 2 - Accessing local services

    Want to learn more?

    There are many more lessons to help you build your digital confidence.

    Go to Build your digital confidence

    Back to topic

    Scottish Widows Be Money Well is committed to providing information in a way that is accessible and useful for our users. This information, however, is not in any way intended to amount to authority or advice on which reliance should be placed. You should seek professional advice as appropriate and required. Any sites, products or services named in this module are just examples of what's available. Scottish Widows does not endorse the services they provide. The information in this module was last updated on 4th June 2026.

    Back to top Click to jump to top of page

    Related lessons

    Mobile phone or tablet

    4 chapters

    Set up your mobile phone or tablet and learn to adapt the settings to your needs.

    Go to lesson

    Laptop or desktop

    4 chapters

    Set up your laptop or desktop and learn to adapt the settings to your needs.

    Go to lesson

    Connect to the internet

    4 chapters

    Set up the internet and safely get online for the first time.

    Go to lesson

    Get started with online safety

    3 chapters

    Learn the benefits and basics of staying safe online, so you can protect yourself and the people you love.

    Go to lesson

    Ten tips for staying safe

    1 chapter

    Learn top tips for staying safe online and the main things to look out for.

    Go to lesson

    Stay safe on social media

    2 chapters

    Know how to get the benefits of social media while staying safe.

    Go to lesson

    Search for information online

    4 chapters

    Learn to search online and find what you need.

    Go to lesson

    Look after your personal details

    1 chapter

    Learn how and why you should keep your details safe.

    Go to lesson

    Use documents

    4 chapters

    Learn how to use and access documents on your device.

    Go to lesson

    Shop online

    5 chapters

    Know how to shop online safely.

    Go to lesson

    Access healthcare online

    1 chapter

    Learn how getting online can help you look after your health and access the things you need.

    Go to lesson

    Manage bills online

    2 chapters

    Know the benefits of managing your regular costs and paying bills online.

    Go to lesson

    Access universal credit

    5 chapters

    Learn if you can apply for benefits and how to start.

    Go to lesson

    Bank online

    4 chapters

    Get started with online banking.

    Go to lesson

    Budget tools

    4 chapters

    Use tools and online support to make budgeting easier.

    Go to lesson

    Make payments online

    2 chapters

    Discover different ways to pay and receive money online.

    Go to lesson

    Use email

    4 chapters

    Learn to use email to stay in touch.

    Go to lesson

    Use messaging

    4 chapters

    Learn to message people on a device using various tools.

    Go to lesson

    Use social media

    4 chapters

    Use social media to stay in touch.

    Go to lesson

    Video calling

    5 chapters

    Learn to make video calls using various tools.

    Go to lesson