April 13, 2010

Ecommerce security for online stores

Good business is built on trust. When selling goods and services online, a high level of security is key to building customer trust. Here are several ways that you can increase online store security and build customer confidence.

Write and post your security policy

First, draft a transparent security policy that outlines the steps you take to protect customer information. Next, post this security policy in a prominent place on your ecommerce website.

There are several benefits of writing and posting your security policy:

• Build trust by demonstrating your commitment to protecting customer information.
• Save time by having a policy that you can refer to when questions arise.
• Achieve due diligence by having a security policy in place.

Guarantee your goods and services

Provide a customer-friendly warranty and return policy. Guaranteeing your products or services increases credibility and demonstrates your approach to customer care.

Having guarantees and warranties improves customer experience and increases the chance of sales and referrals.

Encrypt your information

An important way of increasing security is to use Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption. SSL encryption is an ecommerce standard, and most customers won’t provide financial information without it.

The SSL protocol encrypts information by translating financial information into a code that only your online store can decipher. A small lock in the browser window indicates the presence of SSL protocol. Another indicator of SSL is a URL that begins with https:// instead of http://. These indicators provide customers with a sense of security when shopping at your online store.

Certify your website

Increase your security by having your online store audited by a certified third party. The certification process is particularly useful for business owners, as it highlights any security issues with the online store.

The certification process begins with an online application. If you meet the requirements, you are certified. If you do not meet the requirements, the auditor will provide you with a list of necessary security updates.

Once you are certified, you pay a licensing fee based on the size of your business. This allows you to display the third party certification seal on your online store. This certification increases customer confidence.

The Better Business Bureau provides third-party ecommerce auditor services.

If you have questions about security for your online store, speak with a VersaPay Relationship Manager.