ComputerHunter.org

 

Help Your Online Customers Feel Confident Even If Theyve Never Heard Of You


The Internet world is truly exciting ? there is no limit to what you can learn or how much you can earn. Every day, thousands of new people are staking their claim on the Internet, and putting up their own personal online storefronts, proudly displaying their wares to millions of potential customers.

Sounds great, doesn't it? It's the Internet dream. But there's one very big problem.

If your company or website is a new one - and many internet companies are relatively new because the Internet itself is still in its infancy ? then how can your potential customers trust you when you have not been in business long enough to build a track record?

And as a consumer, how do you know when you can trust what you see on a website? Anyone can put up a snazzy webpage these days. How can we as buyers know if we are just taking on headaches when we entrust our hard-earned dollars to an online merchant?

When you're considering spending your money online based on red-hot sales page, it's often a tough call.

I found two versions of what you might call the "online police" ? both of which have excellent reputations. One is the Better Internet Bureau, an organization based in Canada (http://www.better-internet-bureau.org), and another one is i-Cop, based in Louisiana (http://www.i-cop.org). In both cases, the organizations' names say it all.

Both groups exist to provide unbiased scrutiny of member websites, as well as to alert people to scams; and both provide their own seals as validation that a website has met their criteria for membership. The cost for the Better Business Bureau is $35 per year, and for i-Cop, it is $19.95 per month. i-Cop membership includes a private members site and hosting, and the Better Internet Bureau has a public forum open to all.

Becoming a member of a well-known internet organization such as these can greatly increase your credibility in the eyes of your customers. You know you're honest, but how does anyone else know when they just stumbled onto your website during an internet stroll? You can't go wrong considering membership in the online watchdog group of your choice ? it's just good for business. Increased customer confidence means a bigger check for you at the end of the month. I have seen some websites which are members of more than one group.

The more online businesses become members of similar groups, the more unusual it will seem when a commercial website does not display a membership in a group that holds it accountable for its dealings.

Watchdog organizations exist to benefit people, and for the online marketer, this will produce a win-win situation for the merchant and the customer.

It's all about credibility. Your customers need to know they can count on you ? and they need to know where they can turn if a merchant can't be trusted. Join a reputable online watchdog group, and ease your customer's mind about dealing online with you.

Tim Phillips is a marketing consultant who writes about Internet Marketing and other topics. His articles have appeared all over the internet. He is writing his first ebook based on what he has learned from http://www.ebookin7days.com.







Google News - Top Stories

ABC News

Obama to Reveal National Security Team
Wall Street Journal - 1 hour ago
By YOCHI J. DREAZEN and SIOBHAN GORMAN CHICAGO -- President-elect Barack Obama is to unveil his national-security team this morning, but he moved more slowly on his intelligence picks in an attempt to find experienced officials who aren't associated ...
Choice of Clinton carries risks Reuters
Barack Obama Unveils National Security Team, Taps Former Rival ... ABC News
Washington Post - Boston Globe - U.S. News & World Report - CNN International
all 1,158 news articles


China Daily

India makes protest to Pakistan
BBC News - 53 minutes ago
India has summoned Pakistan's high commissioner to lodge a formal protest over the attacks in Mumbai. Indian officials have repeatedly said in recent days there is evidence the militants behind attacks that killed nearly 200 people had Pakistani links.
Video: Police: Pakistani Militants Behind Mumbai Attack AssociatedPress
India Demands Action From Pakistan Wall Street Journal
Washington Post - FOXNews - Reuters India - The Associated Press
all 3,347 news articles


Canoe.ca

Plaxico Burress Surrenders to Police
New York Times - 33 minutes ago
By JULIET MACUR and ANAHAD O’CONNOR Nearly three days after accidentally shooting himself in the thigh at a Manhattan nightclub, Giants receiver Plaxico Burress turned himself in at a New York City police precinct in midtown Manhattan on Monday morning ...
Video: Many Questions, Few Details in Burress Shooting AssociatedPress
Burress arrives at station to turn himself in FOXSports.com
Washington Post - Sports Network - Newsday - The Associated Press
all 2,362 news articles


WCBD

Alabama mayor arrested over payments: report
Reuters - 1 hour ago
BIRMINGHAM (Reuters) - Federal investigators arrested the mayor of Birmingham, Alabama, on Monday on charges of receiving illegal payments, the Birmingham News newspaper reported on its website.
FBI: Birmingham Mayor arrested on federal charges International Herald Tribune
FBI: Birmingham, Alabama, mayor arrested on federal charges Detroit Free Press
USA Today - Pensacola News Journal - MyFox Birmingham - WZTV
all 164 news articles


Voice of America

International Climate Change Forum Opens in Poland
Voice of America - 58 minutes ago
By VOA News Delegates from nearly every nation began discussions in Poznan, Poland Monday in an effort to create a new global climate change pact to replace the Kyoto Treaty, which expires in 2012.
Building trust tops global climate agenda Christian Science Monitor
Global Economic Crisis Loom Over UN Global Warming Summit In Poland AHN
Bloomberg - AFP - guardian.co.uk - Inquirer.net
all 1,471 news articles

Google
 

Copyright © 2006 Computer Hunter - A Division of Arthur´s Job Base