Owning and operating an online store, no matter what type of products or services you offer, requires the delicate balance between excellent marketing methods, desirable merchandise, and secure purchasing. Once you have mastered the marketing angle and provided products and services to your customers they have found to be fitting to their needs, having a secure way to make online transactions is the final critical step for any online store. No matter how perfect your products may seem, customers want to know you offer them the best security protection available when making purchases from your store.
Credit Card Verification (CCV)
Credit Card Verification is a unique 3-digit number on the back of every credit or debit card, typically near the signature line, that offers additional security protection for online transactions. Many individuals have a credit card number and expiration date, but not the CCV number. By requiring the CCV number to be entered during each and every transaction from your online store, you are ensuring the validity of the card holder since they need the card itself to know this number. Customers that know you require this number will feel more secure purchasing from your store.
SSL
The SSL certificate, also known as Secure Sockets Layer, is a type of security technology attached to secure websites that shows customers the online transaction they are about to go through is encrypted and secure. When there is a letter “s” after the “http” in the address bar of an online transaction, it means that the pending connection is secure and the customer will understand your online store offers maximum security protection for online orders. This is also one of the more common security protection essentials for online stores and ordering that many customers will recognize.
Privacy Policy
The privacy policy is an important security measure for online stores and pending transactions. Have a formal privacy policy written and displayed on your website for potential customers to read. The privacy policy should detail what security measures you have taken, that all of their information is confidential, private and secure, and you will never share their personal information or account information with anyone else. Having a security verification seal displayed publicly on your website also shows the customer you are serious about their protection and privacy.
Address Verification Service (AVS)
The address verification service, also called AVS, is a service that verifies the billing address entered during the online transaction process. This service electronically looks for the address given to be sure it is a valid physical address in the city, state and country it claims to be located in. If the AVS does not recognize the address, it will not let the transaction continue until a valid billing address has been entered. This offers additional security protection for your business to avoid fraudulent activity, as well as giving customers more peace of mind through extra security measures.
PCI Compliance
The Payment Card Industry, also known as the PCI Compliance, is a set of standards issued for secure transactions when using credit cards for online purchases. Merchants such as yourself, as well as credit card companies and financial institutions must all follow the PCI compliance standards in regards to safe credit card transactions that keep the transferred information safe and secure. As an owner of an online store that accepts credit card payments, following the PCI compliance is an important part of doing business and offering security protection for your customers.
Thousands of online transactions take place every day over the Internet from a multitude of online stores. As popularity for online shopping increases, the security protection required for such transactions will also increase. As an owner of an online store, it is your responsibility to be sure all online transactions are protected.
