Paying for the electricity you use can be a hassle and an expense but it may be an idea to hop online and find out if there is a better deal out there for you which would make the process a little less painful.

You have undoubtedly heard of price comparison websites - they are all over the place these days - but if you have never used one before you may feel a little hesitant and nervous about using a system with which you are unfamiliar. It is important to really understand where the information you are receiving is coming from and why results are displayed in a certain way – most often with the results that appear to be the cheapest first.

Yet millions of people across the world rely on price comparison websites to secure them the best deal on a range of products and services, from car insurance to travel and utility bills to banking services. If you are thinking of changing your gas or electricity supplier, a price comparison site really is a good place to start, since here you will find your full range of options.

Whilst price comparison sites are quick and easy to use, the real reason many people use price comparison sites is to save money. But can it really be cheaper to use one of these sites rather than going directly through the supplier?

Well studies have actually shown that it may result in more of a saving if you go directly to a supplier's site. So take these results with a sizable pinch of salt, if you will. Whilst a price comparison site may provide a good starting point for your research, clicking through to explore your options on various providers' sites may actually prove a good idea.

Competition in the price comparison market is fierce and this often leads to some companies paying extra to appear further up the search results which can actually add to the top line of what you will end up paying. Bear in mind that advertising is often at work to tempt you over to products and services that you may not necessarily need.

The best advice is to initially compare electricity prices via one of these sites, but then take your research a stage further by comparing prices for yourself amongst the top five or so providers to make sure you really do get the best deal for your money.

Clint Starr writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.