subject: Safe And Stress-free Shopping! Building Customer Trust [print this page] As increasingly more merchants move online, it becomes an growing challenge to stand out from the pack. While price may influence a shopper's choice, it is generally not the deciding factor: most buyers would prefer to pay a little more for an item they really feel safe purchasing, than to spend less and be concerned they're throwing their cash away.
That's why, as an online retailer, making a safe and stress-free environment for your shoppers should be a top priority. With internet scams and identity fraud to be concerned about, most online buyers go to merchants they recognize and trust. If customers do not feel secure spending their cash with you, they will proceed to another auction or website where they do really feel comfy.
Suspicious Minds
According to Steve Woda, of http://BuySafe.com, "About fifty percent of people who surf online don't purchase online, and the number one reason is because they don't trust something about the transaction-the merchant, the process, the payment method. Whatever it is, it is always about trust." There are numerous actions you are able to take to express credibility to purchasers and build their confidence in you:
* Professional Image. Your website or auction listing's visual appeal creates a strong impression before clients read a single word. Make sure the message you are sending is the one you want to be sending. Careless mistakes and misspelled words signal customers they aren't working with a serious businessperson.
* Build Your Ratings. Your merchant ratings and feedback ratings go a long way on the way to guaranteeing shoppers that, should they purchase from you, their products will arrive and be in good condition.
* Great Customer Service. Promptly returned phone calls and email inquiries, and detailed, courteous communications show to purchasers that you're an authentic, dependable merchant who will supply them good service.
* Third-party Solutions. This is one of the strongest signals you are able to send that your business is legitimate and trustworthy.
o Seals from companies like the Better Business Bureau, SquareTrade, and BuySafe say to customers your business has taken and passed inspection and been approved by trusted third parties. BuySafe will even guarantee your transactions, so your buyers can shop risk-free.
o Verisign and GeoTrust SSL certificates allow your buyers know their personal information is encrypted. Some other third-party solutions are available, like HackerSafe which scans your website for vulnerabilities, and TRUSTe which inspects your privacy policies. Making PayPal available as a payment choice likewise tells buyers you have undergone a really thorough verification procedure.
There is more than enough data to prove that employing any of these solutions can considerably improve your conversion rate. When buyers trust you, they're a lot quicker to spend money with you. Says Woda, "I do suggest merchants... deal with buyer uncertainties by leveraging as numerous of these things as they possibly can. It is all about distinguishing [yourself] as professional, legitimate, and credible.
