Almost every day, your customers are exposed to news stories about data breaches. Large organizations have had massive security breaches, leaving thousands of people vulnerable to identity theft, fraud, and more. So you can understand why, when a customer looks at your e-commerce site, one of the questions they ask themselves is “Is this safe?”

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HTTPS – It Does Really Matter

In July, Google began marking any sites with an http address as insecure. When a site’s designated insecure, it ranks lower in search results. This penalty can make it harder for customers to find you, and if they do, there’s a message in the search bar telling them your site is insecure. At this point, many customers are going to move on and shop elsewhere.

Upgrading from HTTP to HTTPS

Transitioning from a HTTP site to a HTTPS site involves having a new security certificate installed on your site. The security certificate encrypts your data, making it more secure. After the security certificate is installed all of the sites’ links must be checked to ensure they’re still working properly and repaired if they are not. Be aware that there are multiple levels of SSL and you’ll need to choose the one that makes sense for your business. If you need more information about this process or have to upgrade your site, just let us know – we’re here to help.

Reviews, Ratings & Website Security

Another factor shoppers consider when deciding whether or not to buy from a website is the presence of reviews and ratings. Research shows that 85% of shoppers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations from family and friends. Reviews on product pages boost conversion rates. Featuring reviews on your home page or blog pages can build your customers’ confidence in your brand while they’re engaged with other content.

Policies – Shipping, Returns, and Contact Information

Today’s shopper will do a lot of research before they make a purchase. This include making an effort to understand what will happen if they buy and then want to make a return. Having your policies clearly articulated on your website helps customers build trust in you. It’s a good best practice to provide this content at least twice – once on a policy page and once on a FAQ page – and link to it as needed from social media.