Starting a Small Home Business

Web Site Privacy, Security and Marketing, Part I

July 7th, 2008 Filed under: Uncategorized — Small Home Business Author

Privacy and security issues are important to the successful operation of an Internet business. A privacy statement should tell the customer exactly what you intend to do with the information collected during the sales process. It should be specific and attempt to reduce the fear of the consumer with regard to their private information.

The security of the checkout transaction is of the utmost importance, and an SSL, or security certificate, is required to provide secure transactions for your customers. Some shopping cart providers offer security certificates as part of their packages. If yours does not, you must secure a certificate from a Certificate Authority (CA). In the United States, CAs include VeriSign, Entrust, and Equifax. In Europe, you must visit the EEMA web site to secure your certificate.

A security statement should address the measures taken to ensure transaction security. Customers should leave the site feeling that their personal information is safe and secure. Creating and displaying these policies will secure a trusting customer base who will feel confident when placing online orders. Most sites place a security logo at the bottom of the main page. Doing this allows customers to know that you are providing top security for their personal information.

Marketing

Sales are all about creating and sustaining a relationship with your customers. Knowing where to spend your marketing dollars to gain the maximum return on investment is important to facilitate relationship building. Evaluate all opportunities before making any decisions on a plan. Marketing a Web site is based on the same premise as marketing an offline business.

Dr. Dave Hale is the Founder & CEO of HiPer Solutions, a global business coaching and training firm. Dr. Dave is also the author of The High Performance Entrepreneur: 12 Essential Strategies to Supercharge Your Startup Business and Straight Talk from Corporate America’s 10 Most Requested Speakers & Trainers. He can be contacted at http://www.HiPerEntrepreneur.com or DrDave@HiperCoaching.com