When there is demand, there will be people who supply. Online shops are growing as e-commerce business is seen as something promising on the internet. People are starting to shop online behind their computers rather than visiting traditional marketplace.
The internet is a vast place where people are connected. And the internet is actually never a safe place to be. For people who commence online shopping, finding a safe and secure websites are what is important. Online shoppers should able to locate sites that are safe and secured to ensure a hassle-free online shopping.
Reliable e-commerce websites have many things in common. Searching a trustworthy website from the pool of millions will take a bit of research, though the search would be fruitful. Below is a list of common things an safe and secured e-commerce websites have.
Contact Details
Communication is crucial on the internet. Before anything else, online shoppers should check the contact details and communication address at the site. An e-commerce website with proper communication details would be a safer place for transaction.
If such details are not available, there is no less to no reason to carry any further transaction or any shopping from the site. E-commerce websites hiding such vital details are seen to be not transparent and not worth believing.
HTTP Analysis
A secure website would have the URL which would read as "https" rather than "http" only. This web communication protocol with additional "s" in the end of it would suggest an enhanced level of security for transaction.
Always find a website having that extra security measures to carry on secure online shopping. Such websites are always considered extra secure for online shopping and transaction.
Secure Payment System
A website having secure payment system should be trusted for shopping. Online stores with PayPal for payment system are easily relied upon. Being extra careful for sites using unknown payment systems can save a lot of inconvenience. Shopping card system and payment system should be chosen from a reputed vendor to keep visitors faith alive.
Security Certificates
Websites with security certificates are considered more secure than those that are not. Buyers can easily analyze a website on the basis of its security certificates before proceeding any further. SSL certificate is one such way of adding to the security level of a website.
E-commerce sites having security certificates would mean that the card information and data would be encrypted for usages.
Login ID and Password
Websites asking for only card details for complete transaction are seen to be unsecure. Sites redirecting towards card protection service by asking login ID and Password would be secure. So never trust a site which does not redirect towards card protection services by Visa and MasterCard.
E-commerce sites asking for login ID and password would bring a great deal of security cover for online transaction.
PCI and SET
A website using PCI card (Peripheral Component Interconnect) would be a good place for secure transaction. This hardware card helps in the safety and security of data at the server.
SET is another useful program which is used for authentication purposes for all involved parties in the transaction. Using SET, an e-commerce website ensures that the merchant would not be able to see secure card information to do any dubious activity.
Privacy Policy
Privacy policy is a very essential segment of an e-commerce website which keeps information of card data usages. The website will clearly mention the sharing of data to third party or associates if it's not reputed. This section would also have information about the data security practices employed by the company. Going through privacy policy or security policy of a website would clear the doubts in a big way.
Membership Programs
E-commerce websites with membership of various recognized and popular programs can be deemed a secure bet for online transaction. E-commerce websites with membership of any of programs like TRUSTe, VeriSign or BBBonline would be secure.
Try to locate these membership logos on the home page of an e-commerce website before proceeding further for transaction.
Shipping Details
E-commerce websites with no shipping details are not worth believing. Shipping details are very vital piece of information, as it gives exact picture of shipping policies and duration for product delivery. Before doing online shopping, make sure to take a complete stock of the shipping information, charges, time of delivery etc..
Delivery Tracking Tool
A reputed e-commerce website would have delivery tracking tool in place. This tool helps buyers to get complete information about the product locations in transit. If any site does not have this tracking tool in place, it could be seen as not worth to believe. Never prefer an e-commerce site which does not have such a tool as it would not be customer-centric.