The Internet is great for business. Bar a few exceptions most entrepreneurs would agree that it has opened up commercial opportunities to more people than ever.
But the fact that almost anyone can set up a website and start trading through it has also made it easier for thieves and fraudsters to prey on innocent consumers. Unfortunately each time someone becomes a victim of such a criminal the confidence of other online shoppers also drops.
Nowadays many of us who shop online are very vigilant and will not purchase from a store which does not look trustworthy to us in any way. This makes it tough for the majority of legitimate traders who have to go out of their way to prove that they are not out to steal our money.
One of the ways they try to reassure shoppers is by joining some of the recognised trade schemes, which offer official accreditation to legitimate businesses. This can seem expensive at times, but the price of not joining one or more of such organisations can be so much higher.
The two most recognised schemes are ISIS (Internet Shopping Is Safe) and Trusted Shops. Once you have signed up and passed their audit you will be able to use the accreditation logos provided as well as being added to their database of safe retailers, which can be browsed by shoppers.
It is also important that all online retailers use one of the SSL certificates available as not only do they make your credit card processing safer but also significantly raise the profile of your shop. Displaying a logo of an SSL certificate provider can have a huge impact on your conversion rates, as shoppers will feel a lot more comfortable buying from you.
Despite the cost, such schemes are pretty much a must for all e-commerce businesses. Those websites which do not look safe and secure will quickly fall behind its competitors, even if the owners are honest and reliable. Unless you are able to communicate your high standards using recognised certificates, shoppers could navigate away from your website.
We recommend that all online businesses join one or more such schemes.
Guest Blog courtesy of Eva Grzybek – PayPoint.net
To learn more about e-commerce solutions , call us on (028) 90 480 257 or send us an email to info@vududigital.co.uk.