The BBB Online

Whether we are shopping online or visiting a store, we want to know that the people we are doing business with are trustworthy. Customers want to be sure that a business is following fair practices and also keeping their information private. The Better Business Bureau (BBB online) helps customers by promoting better business practices so that the customer's private information and purchases are kept safe. The BBB online trust mark, or trust seal, helps customers know that a site has been evaluated and is meeting the program standards for good business practices online.

The BBB online trustmark verifies that a business has been certified by the Better Business Bureau and has been reviewed to meet the BBB's truth in advertising guidelines. Other standards that the BBB requires businesses to keep are that the business discloses information about its policies, follows basic privacy and security practices, and responds appropriately to any problems that arise. The trust seal links to a BBB report on the business, allowing online shoppers to instantly verify a business's trustworthiness.

Building customer trust is a must in today's world of e-commerce. Research proves that privacy is the number one concern for customers when shopping online and is the main reason why consumers choose to shop at a bricks-and-mortar store rather than on the internet. So the best thing you can do to increase sales online is to prove to your customers that your website is safe for them to shop. Third party verification from companies like the BBB online is the way to do it.