Customer confidence is critical to your online success when selling products or services. Identity theft and fraud are on the rise. Consumers that shop online look first for the items they are interested in purchasing and then for websites that show they care about security and their personal information. It is very important to reassure your visitors that you have a legitimate, secure and professional website that will protect their information.
So, what you can you do to create customer confidence?
- Display security logos above the “fold” of the page and in a prominent location that is displayed on every page.
- Purchase an SSL certificate to secure the information that passes between the customer computer and your store hosting account.
- Use a reputable payment processor.
- Become a member of the Better Business Bureau – displaying your membership
- Provide complete contact information with a street address (no P.O. Box) and phone number as well as hours of operation. Who you order from a company that is difficult to contact and communicate with if there is a problem or if you have a question?
- Post customer testimonials that validate your creditability and believability for your products or services.
- Create a Return Policy page that discusses how you handle refund, returns and exchanges including company contact information
- Provide a “Privacy Policy” page where customers can view your company’s policy regarding privacy.
In 2004, California was the first state to pass legislation requiring e-tailers to post a privacy policy on any commercial website that collects personally identifiable information about California residents.
Read more about the topic California Legislation here