Too good to be true? It probably is!
Posted 22 August 2006 at 5:43PM by Derek Hemphill in Doing business online
We all know that the web is a fantastic resource to find great value holidays amongst other products and services. But when you see a deal which seems too good to be true, it is worth thinking twice as it very often is. Recent fears over a possible holiday scam remind us that we always need to be on our guard.
As a business, it is worth considering the growing concerns of your potential customers when selling online. Here are some practical steps you can take to reassure your website visitors that your company is real and that customers will get what they pay for:
1. Join an association relative to your business and announce it on your website site. For example, if you are a travel agent you could join ABTA - the Association of British Travel Agents. Your website visitors can easily verify your claim with the association.
2. Use a trusted and secure payment mechanism.
3. Publish full contact details of your company including phone number, physical business address and email address.
4. Provide details of your returns policy and warranties where necessary.
5. Provide clear unambiguous details of the products or services you are offering with associated costs and delivery charges.
6. Be responsive to queries from potential customers.
This list is by no means exhaustive and I am sure anyone with online retailing experience could add their own tips. It's also worth looking at other successful online retailers and follow their example where appropriate.
Business Link has practical e-commerce advice for business and getsafeonline.com has some useful information for both business and consumers.
Tags: e-commerce, scam, selling online
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