Are You Safe Ordering Online?

Are You Safe Ordering Online?

by: Michael Rock

Even this day and age people are very insecure about ordering anything online. Even though many people order and give their credit card information over the phone they still are hesitant upon ordering online. This article will show you what to look for to see if it is safe to order online, the general process on how things are processed online, and the securities involved. Knowledge is the key for security and I want you to gain security by reading this article.

What The Web User Should Know:

Everyone knows to look for the padlock on the bottom of the browser, right? If not that tells you that the web page is secure. Along with that padlock on the bottom of the browser your web page SHOULD display https:// instead of http://. (The s stands for กsecuredก)

กHow is a web page secure?ก

HTTPS is the use of Secure Socket Layer (SSL) as a sublayer under its regular HTTP application layering. If you view a HTTPS page and see a warning pop up about the certificate of the site read the warning carefully. Here are a couple of warnings that I came across when setting up a SSL certificate for my site. Such as . . . Certificate is for https://theinternetpresence.com but the page is for https://www.theinternetpresence.com. (When I edited the hyperlink and left out the www, it resolved the issue.) Certificate points to hsphere.com instead of theinternetpresence.com. (Again, a simple setting resolved this issue.) Hsphere is the hosting control panel I use that controls my site. But look carefully at warnings that point to a web site that you are not familiar with and warnings that state there is no SSL certificate at all. For an example of the!

se warnings you can visit my site at https://www.theinternetpresence.com, because currently Iกm switching from a Windows Server to a Unix Server for added stability and security. If you did not receive a warning then it means that the move was completed.

For a brief description on what the requirements are to obtain a SSL certificate look below under กWhatกs the process involved for getting a SSL Certificate?ก

กWhat about types of Browsers?ก

Internet Explorer used to control 90% of the market for web browsers, so naturally hackers and cheaters were attracted to attacking that browser to obtain information. So the safe alternative was to use a different browser like Firefox that was not very popular. But as Firefox gains popularity they will become a target as well. Their goal was to gain 10% of the market, and they are now pushing 20% according to statistics of people visiting my site.

You would be interested in knowing that with a properly configured web site with the correct shopping cart script for collecting credit card information that connects to a merchant account gateway, the credit card number is never seen by the webmaster. Itกs true! I cannot see the process of filling out the information, and when I visit my merchant account online to view transactions Iกm not shown the full credit card number. กBut be warned on how people can work around this!ก

กHow can they process a credit card that is insecure and/or see my credit card number?ก

If the page is unsecured. (http instead of https and the lock is open on the bottom of the browser)

If they use a simple online form to ask for the information instead of a script. (When the information is emailed out instead of processed) Even if the form is on a HTTPS page it would still be secured, but as soon as it is mailed it becomes unsecured and if anything happens the web site owner could lose his merchant account and not be able to apply for a new one EVER AGAIN! Iกve seen customers use this way to process cards and manually enter them at their store. Needless to say I refused to create a site that operates this way for liability issues.

What the Online Store Owner Should Know:

กWhatกs the process involved for getting a SSL Certificate?ก

Fill out the required information of name, address, phone number, etc.

Certificates range from $39 to $1499. Typically the $39 one will work fine.

You will get a กphone authenticationก call recording your voice stating your name for security and asking you to enter a 4 digit code that would be provided for you.

After that has been verified you can install the SSL Certificate.

กWhat alternate ways are there to accept payments?ก

Check. But this way takes longer to achieve payment.

COD Will you get the payment after itกs delivered?

PayPal Secure, but viewed as unprofessional. (I still offer it as an alternative though)

If you have a business that you would like to move online you should get a merchant account or have your กbrick and mortarก merchant account upgraded to online by adding a gateway. If you have any questions at all on anything about merchant accounts talk to Corey Bryant. He has an enormous amount of information on merchant accounts and setting up your business online. You can email him at [email protected]?subject=Internet_Presence_sent_me. You can also find a wealth of information about SSL certificates at http://www.theinternetpresence.com/ssl.htm.

In Conclusion:

It is possible to have an unsecured transaction over the internet, but by far it is MUCH SAFER than handing your credit card over to someone who can jot down the number and verification code on the back of the card, or stating the card number over the phone for an order. I sincerely hope that I did not scare anyone off with this report, but gave them the knowledge on how to protect themselves.

Until the next article have a great day!

Copyright © Michael Rock

(You have permission to copy this article as long as it remains intact with the authorกs byline)

Web development contractor (Web Design and Hosting)

Internet Presence

www.TheInternetPresence.com

http://www.theinternetpresence.com/businessarticle32.htm

About The Author

Michael Rock

The owner of this registered company has over twenty years experience with DOS, windows business applications, numerous programming languages, artistic development, and web design. Other areas of interest include web marketing, web promoting, and business marketing and development. After the persuasion of those praising his work, he decided to go into business himself and highly suggests everyone else to do the same.

Internet Presence was founded in 2003 from a desire to become independent. Less than 1 year later Internet Presence has had accounts in three different states ranging from a locally owned auto collision repair shop to a glass packaging industry that sells its product worldwide.

[email protected]

This article was posted on April 06

by Michael Rock

Tips for Increasing Your Profits with Gift Certifi

Tips for Increasing Your Profits with Gift Certificates

by: Rena Klingenberg

Offering gift certificates is an excellent way of increasing sales by solving your customers’ giftgiving problems. Often people would like to give your products as gifts, but are hesitant to choose a specific item for someone.

I’m a jewelry artist, and when I realized I was losing sales to these potential customers, I started offering gift certificates – and discovered a wonderful sales tool.

Wherever you sell your products – at retail locations, shows, home parties – be sure to have an eyecatching sign advertising กGift Certificates Available in Any Amountก. And tell undecided customers about it verbally, too, emphasizing the benefits of a gift certificate, and how much their recipient will enjoy choosing the exact item they want.

How to Make Your Own Gift Certificates

Use your computer and printer to make special, fancy certificates using perforated paper or postcard stock you can find in office supply stores, and have matching fancy envelopes to go with them. They don’t need to cost you very much, but they should really look like a special, festive gift to give them extra appeal!

Consider adding enticing photos of some of your most popular products. My gift certificates have a neat vertical border of jewelry photos on each side.

Here’s the information your gift certificates should have on them:

your business name and location, plus other contact info

a ‘to:ก line

a กFrom:ก line

an กAmount:ก line (for the dollar amount)

กcustom orders welcomeก, if applicable

the expiration date, if you want to limit the time period the certificate can be used

the certificate’s unique number – on your computer or by hand, print a unique number (101, 102, 103, etc., or whatever numbering works for you) on each certificate’s bottom corner, so each can be individually accounted for.

When you sell the certificate, you should write the dollar amount and expiration date (if any) on the certificate yourself, and then have the person purchasing the certificate fill out the To and From lines, so it will be in their own handwriting for the recipient to see. Then enter the certificate’s information in your log.

How to Keep a Gift Certificate Log

It’s important to keep a log of each gift certificate you sell. Keeping a record of each certificate sold will ensure that you don’t wind up honoring a counterfeit certificate, or one with a changed dollar amount when someone comes to use it. My log has 6 columns, and for each certificate I sell, I record in my log:

the certificate’s unique number

the purchaserกs name

the recipientกs name

the date sold

the dollar amount of the certificate

the date redeemed

optional seventh column: expiration date.

I keep my log sheet and a stack of readytosell certificates together in a twopocket folder, along with a fancy pen for filling out the gift certificates in style when they’re sold.

Use Gift Certificates to Their Fullest Profit Potential

Gift certificates can be a great source of backend sales. When the recipient comes to redeem the gift certificate, it’s easy to sell her an addon item or two. Often she is already predisposed to splurge on something to go with the item she’s getting for free with her gift certificate, and needs only a little encouragement from you to purchase extras. For example, in my case, the recipient will often purchase matching earrings to go with the bracelet she gets for free with her gift certificate. So be sure to show enticing things to the recipient that could accompany the item she chooses for her gift!

Use a gift certificate sale as an opportunity to add two new customers to your mailing list: the person who purchased the certificate, and the person who received it. Obtain permission from each to add them to your mailing list. Both of them are now presold on your products, your service, and especially on your solutions to their giftgiving problems. There’s a good chance they will respond favorably when they receive a special offer from you before giftgiving holidays.

About The Author

Jewelry artist Rena Klingenberg is the publisher of http://www.homejewelrybusinesssuccesstips.com , a free online resource of articles and tips to help jewelry artists achieve their goals.

This article was posted on January 26, 2004

by Rena Klingenberg