There's no doubt about it - shopping online has really taken off. From a computer in the comfort of your home, you can comparison shop and purchase everything from angora sweaters to the latest Zydeco music album. Never before has shopping been so easy! Everywhere on the 'net storefronts are touting their extensive product line, ease-of-use, and security. However since most people prefer to purchase online using their credit card, the security issues of shopping online have many people asking questions.
There are several things to look for to determine if an online store is a secure place to shop. Just as you make decisions in the real world regarding who you buy from, you can apply these same criteria to the internet merchant. Here is a checklist of sorts to help you out:
Web Site Address
Does the merchant have their own domain name (www.virtualvin.com) or are they using free web space such as that provided by Geocities (www.geocities.com) or AngelFire (www.angelfire.com)? If they have their own domain it does lend some credibility to the merchant. You could make the "real world" comparison to a merchant with a large storefront downtown versus a guy with a fold-up cart on the side of the road. If you have a problem with your product, who are you more likely to find again to help get it resolved?
Site Design
How does the merchant's web site look? Does it look professionally designed or amateurish? A professionally designed site will be appealing to the eye and means the merchant spent the money to have it done, thereby making a commitment to selling their product online. Just as you may have second thoughts about buying something from a poorly-lit store with holes in the ceiling and paint peeling from the walls, you should avoid the web site that looks like it was an afterthought or slapped together in a hurry. Also, does the site mention secure shopping? Many sites will dedicate an entire page to shopper security to help you feel at ease.
Contact Information
Is the merchant's physical address and phone number prominently displayed on the web site? E-mail is great, but in the event of a problem sometimes you need to talk to a real person. The merchant should provide a means for you to do so.
Return Policy
The merchant's return policy should be posted somewhere on their web site. Even if their policy is no returns, the shopper should be made aware of that from the beginning.
Secure Ordering
If you plan to shop online using your credit card, a secure ordering system is a must. How do you tell if the ordering system is secure? Well the wonderful folks at Netscape and Microsoft have built indicators into their web browser to show whether a site is using secure encryption techniques.
If you are using the Netscape Navigator/Communicator browser, take a look at the lower left corner of your screen. Depending on which version of the browser you are using you will either see a broken key or an open padlock icon. This indicates a non-secure site.
If you enter a secure area using Netscape, you will see either an unbroken key or a locked padlock icon (older versions of Netscape will also show a blue line at the top of the screen). Depending on your browser configuration, you may also get a notification box indicating you are entering a secure area. If you are using Microsoft's Internet Explorer, you will get a notification that you are entering a secure area.
What does this mean? It simply means that the connection between your web browser and the web site you are viewing is secure, or in other words the information being sent is encrypted.
Note: You generally will not be on the secure portion of a merchant's web site until you begin entering your credit card information, so don't look for it as soon as you enter their site.
Secure Shopping Site Examples
Here are a few web merchants that obviously have put some considerable time and effort into doing business online as is evident by their extensive web sites. These sites meet all of the criteria mentioned above. If you haven't yet ordered anything online and would like to get your feet wet so to speak, give these places a try:
Amazon Books - http://www.amazon.com/
The folks at Amazon have really got it together. 2.5 million book titles to choose from (at this writing) and a fully functional search engine. Waiting for that next Tom Clancy novel to come out? Fill out a short form and they will e-mail you as soon as it does. Do you like books on magic? You can receive a list of new titles by e-mail automatically. You can also read Amazon's Safe Shopping Guarantee, linked right there on their front page. They have a secure online shopping cart, too.
Virtual Vineyards - http://www.virtualvin.com/
Another site that has that professional look described earlier. They offer a wine of the month club and reviews on wine and food. Their site has links to ordering information, shipping rates, and a money-back guarantee.
CDnow - http://www.cdnow.com/
This web site sells both music CD's and movies. They feature a search engine to look for titles and a section devoted to customer service with new visitor info, store policies, and answers to frequently asked questions. Also offered are gift certificates and even an Album Advisor to assist you in making a selection.
I hope that the information presented here has shed some light on the security of shopping online. Provided the same precautions are taken that you would take anywhere else, your web shopping experience can be safe, convenient, and enjoyable.
