It’s never been easier to start selling online with an ecommerce site than it is today. However, there are many different factors that you need to consider if you want your online store to be a success.
One of the most important aspects of your site is security – it’s something that the average online consumer is all too aware of these days, and if your site isn’t secure, you will find that you won’t make many sales.
With this in mind, here are some razor sharp tips to ensure your ecommerce site is as secure as possible, and that your customers feel comfortable – and confident – about using your service. Let’s get started right away.
Security as principal
First of all, security must be one of the primary points to cover in your business plan. Too many new ecommerce companies start out with their focus on getting their sites up and running, adding products, defining target markets and creating contents. But online security is often forgotten – and this is a huge mistake to make. Ensure that safety is part of your plans right from the very beginning, or you could be in for a rude awakening when your system is hacked, and someone makes off with all your customer’s vital data.
Secure hosting and platforms
It’s best to use a platform with a robust and reliable reputation, as well as a host that will take care of your basic security, too. There are plenty of good platforms out there – the Woocommerce platform for WordPress is a good example – so find a host that specializes in the specific integration you use. However, be aware that these are only the basics of online security – many of the issues that arise could be down to you, which we will go into next.
Be security conscious
A lot of the vulnerabilities of your website are, ultimately, down to you. Get into the habit of using strong passwords, and make sure that anyone with access to your site is doing the same. And make sure you are displaying your security credentials, too. Online consumers want to feel safe when they buy anything on the Internet, and a few simple security badges present on your site can help give them confidence.
Promote security to customers
Another weakness of your site, unfortunately, comes from your customers. While many of your clients want to see a highly secure e-commerce site, many don’t understand the importance of using robust passwords themselves. You can prevent problems by requiring them to have passwords of a minimum length, as well as a mixture of alphanumerics and upper/lower cases.
Store minimal data
The more data you have about your customers, the more unfortunate a hacking incident will be – it’s that simple. So, make sure you are storing minimal information about each of your clients, and heavily encrypt every bit of information you take. That goes for everything from email addresses to credit card information.
We hope this brief post helps you understand some of the basics surrounding ecommerce security. Stay safe out there, folks!
