How do you know when you can trust online vendors?
by Robyn Harton
There is no perfect way to know if you can trust a particular
vendor online. There are however some things you can look
for to give you an idea of whether a particular online
vendor is
trustworthy.
Look for these things on a vendor's website so you can
determine if they are likely to be trustworthy.
Membership in Consumer Trust Groups such as Square Trade,
Truste, or Better Business Bureau. These groups review
their members and help ensure that they have ethical business
practices.
References and testimonials are good. The thing to check
here is if they seem true. Do they sound like advertisements
or just enthusiastic customers.
Coherent website. Generally if a website is coherent
and holds together well, it reflects the nature of the
business that runs it. So a well put together, functional
website often
indicates a well put together business.
Privacy policy. A trustworthy site will have a clear
privacy policy.
Contact information. Is there a mailing address and phone
number in addition to an email address or web form? If
so, the company is more likely to be trustworthy.
Secure encryption for ecommerce. Are all areas where
you give credit card numbers secure? Do you see the little
lock near the bottom of your browser window? If so, SSL
encryption is in use and your transactions are as safe
as possible when transmitted over the internet.
If an online vendor has these things in good order, you're
much more likely to have a positive experience shopping
with them online.
