November 22, 2007 - According to a recent Harris Interactive poll, “45% of U.S. adults shop online, but that security remains a big concern for those who stick to buying in stores. Among those who do not shop online, 60% cited as a reason not wanting to give out personal information online.” Many websites in the middle and smaller markets tend to overlook security, reliability, and brand recognition. These are major factors in the success or lack of success of many new e-commerce efforts. Search-Werks recommends that every e-commerce endeavour include on its launch checklist acquiring a service such as a “HackerSafe” certification by ScanAlert which tests site security daily and renders a badge on your site when tests are passed. There will be a large segment of the population who will always feel more comfortable conducting business offline. But for those who are looking for a reason to trust your site, give them comfort by acquiring and displaying on your site security certifications from companies such as ScanAlert, Verisign, or Thawte.

As always, please feel free to contact Search-Werks for a free strategic evaluation of your e-commerce initiatives.