E-commerce & Privacy (especially if you're a site owner)

[give_me_time]

Consumers won't worry much about shopping with established brands, but for small guys/gals like you and me, fairly new entrants (even been there for a while) to the e-commerce market, even if we offer better product/service and more affordable, we're not on the same level play field with the big guys (they've got TRUST already created for one thing).

To assure consumers/potential customers that we're legit, we either have to 'borrow' other's reputation like using eBay platform or BBB online (for BBB you have to be in business for a year -- talking about old mentality...), to
stick out on our own, it's more likely going to be a long process...

I see one option out, talk my county administration into verifying online business at a click for registered businesses in the county... keep your fingers cross for how long it may take...

More options? Please share your thoughts/ideas.

Thank you.

Don

[JPnyc]

just my opinion of course, but to me there is no greater or it easier way to build in trust than to offer PayPal as a payment option.

[cinnamon9691]

You might also want to think about getting some sort of security seal. Branding your site with things like the Scan Alert 'Hacker Safe' logo or your SSL's security seal might help.

[give_me_time]

to JPnyc:
thks for the follow-up but the thing is initially the site/app won't even charge a penny to its users, want potential customers to get some benefit of using the tool first before talking about charging them, so, PayPal though sounds a good way to go does not seem to come into play in the initial stage...

The point I'm trying to get cross to potential users/customers is, this is a responsible site, it does what it says... not too sure if this point is getting across at this point...

p.s. the forums.smallbusinesscomputing.com is a bit slow...

[give_me_time]

You might also want to think about getting some sort of security seal. Branding your site with things like the Scan Alert 'Hacker Safe' logo or your SSL's security seal might help.

yeah, I know SSL is to encrypt data transmission and since my site/app does not really involve with confidential info like SSN or CC info, so, I'm not too concerned about this for now, but rather how to assure potential users/customers that the site owner's a good guy/gal, so, he/she would honor his/her words to keep customers' data private...

thks.

[Get Elastic]

Have a detailed shipping / returns policy on your site and a contact name, number and address is crucial.

[roban]

Unfortunately there's no fast and easy way to promote trust in your visitors. The very word 'trust' implies consistency over time and time is your best friend. People want to know that you will be there when they need you, that you are honest and that you will deliver what you promise.

That being said, there are ways to convey your intentions. Some of the ideas in replies to your post are valuable. I certainly would look into an SSL certificate. Even if it's something that you will not need immediately, it still says that you are concerned about the well-being of your clients and more importantly, that you are professional and put your money into making your site a secure place.

There are sites that issue site certificates of authenticity and they verify that you at least comply with some basic e-commerce usability standards. I have 2 of them on my vitamin site and you are welcome to view them on my security page. They are not expensive, have little meaning other than to say that I want to convey to my clients that I am 'for real'.

Testimonials are another great tool. Even if you don't have any yet, make some up and post them.

If you have a local Chamber of Commerce, join and use their seal on your site to let people know that you are connected.

[Corey Bryant]

Check out some of the larger e-commerce websites. What do they do (besides the brand) to give you some security? Maybe they have a Privacy Policy (detailed) and their Phone number on every page? Maybe they have a contact us link everywhere. And you can call that number to speak with a live individual?

Web sites are judged by the way they look and throughout the checkout process. Make sure that that is the same.