- Original Poster
- #1
Hi folks. Just a quick tip.
People are getting more and more sceptical of online security and CC fraud as time goes on. It's getting to a point where security can highly influence your sales. If a prospective customer has the slightest doubt about security, they may not bother taking the risk and go elsewhere.
So, if you're a brand new e-commerce site with no pagerank, few customers, no mention of you on the net or a less than professional design, then use Paypal or something similar alongside your normal checkout process.
People can then use your encrypted checkout system, or use Paypal if they have any qualms about trusting your site with their financial details.
If you don't like Paypal (or the fees) then at least use it until your site has gained some authority and people can easily find good reviews of you on the net (or on your own site for certain products).
If you don't do this, then you could find a surprisingly high number of prospective customers simply won't trust you if your site is brand spanking new.
A few other tips to instil trust:
1). Good copy. Prospects WANT to trust you and want to buy your goods, so write a bit about your business and (if your business type suits it) write product descriptions in a friendly, more personal style. People are far more likely to be put off if your website has cold, amateur copy.
2). Assure them. Make it clear that your checkout is encrypted and explain the security involved with Paypal if they have any concerns.
3). Keep them updated. Send off E-mails as soon as you have received their order and as soon as their order is dispatched. If you don't, then customers can rapidly become very concerned. In these E-mails, welcome them to contact you if they have any questions.
4). Encourage good reviews. If someone is delighted about a good level of service and gives you feedback, ask them if they could put a review on a particular site. Personally I wouldn't pressure this on other customers who don't give you any voluntary feedback.
5). Be realistic. If someone sees a price which is too low (and without any explanation of why) then it will ring alarm bells. If you have prices which undercut competitors by a large amount (or you charge a lot more than competitors) then explain how and why.
6). Be professional. An amateur looking site can raise huge concerns. Put in the proper investment so your site looks professional and trustworthy.
7). Try to gather on-site product reviews. As well as showing that a product is good, it will also show prospects that people have ordered from your website and received their products properly.
Remember: if a customer is concerned about trust, they will actually look for reasons to trust you (on a conscious or sometimes sub-conscious) level. If they can't find anything, then they're off.
Hope this helps.
People are getting more and more sceptical of online security and CC fraud as time goes on. It's getting to a point where security can highly influence your sales. If a prospective customer has the slightest doubt about security, they may not bother taking the risk and go elsewhere.
So, if you're a brand new e-commerce site with no pagerank, few customers, no mention of you on the net or a less than professional design, then use Paypal or something similar alongside your normal checkout process.
People can then use your encrypted checkout system, or use Paypal if they have any qualms about trusting your site with their financial details.
If you don't like Paypal (or the fees) then at least use it until your site has gained some authority and people can easily find good reviews of you on the net (or on your own site for certain products).
If you don't do this, then you could find a surprisingly high number of prospective customers simply won't trust you if your site is brand spanking new.
A few other tips to instil trust:
1). Good copy. Prospects WANT to trust you and want to buy your goods, so write a bit about your business and (if your business type suits it) write product descriptions in a friendly, more personal style. People are far more likely to be put off if your website has cold, amateur copy.
2). Assure them. Make it clear that your checkout is encrypted and explain the security involved with Paypal if they have any concerns.
3). Keep them updated. Send off E-mails as soon as you have received their order and as soon as their order is dispatched. If you don't, then customers can rapidly become very concerned. In these E-mails, welcome them to contact you if they have any questions.
4). Encourage good reviews. If someone is delighted about a good level of service and gives you feedback, ask them if they could put a review on a particular site. Personally I wouldn't pressure this on other customers who don't give you any voluntary feedback.
5). Be realistic. If someone sees a price which is too low (and without any explanation of why) then it will ring alarm bells. If you have prices which undercut competitors by a large amount (or you charge a lot more than competitors) then explain how and why.
6). Be professional. An amateur looking site can raise huge concerns. Put in the proper investment so your site looks professional and trustworthy.
7). Try to gather on-site product reviews. As well as showing that a product is good, it will also show prospects that people have ordered from your website and received their products properly.
Remember: if a customer is concerned about trust, they will actually look for reasons to trust you (on a conscious or sometimes sub-conscious) level. If they can't find anything, then they're off.
Hope this helps.
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