These days there are more ways to connect online than ever before, which means there is more risk of your personal information being stolen by criminals. Cyber security is becoming a major concern with many online consumers, leading them to direct their business to larger vendors who offer a greater sense of protection than their lesser-known competitors. So how can you, a small business, build trust with new visitors and keep your website competitive?

Keep your customer's data safe.

This should be a no-brainer. If you are collecting any customer data, then you better know how and where it is being stored. If you have a 360 PSG developed website, your customers' data is securely collected, encrypted and stored on our secure servers. If you don't have a website with us, do you know what happens to your visitor's data after they complete a transaction or fill out a form? If you can't answer "yes" to the latter, how do you know if that data is safe?

Remain transparent at all times.

No one likes feeling duped, so be clear about your intentions. When you ask visitors to fill out a form on your website, let them know why you're collecting that data and how it will be used. It is also advisable to include a more thorough explanation of your data collection and storage policies in your company's terms of service waiver.

 

Don't forget to protect yourself.

Rule #1 - never post your email address to your website as text. Instead, make it an image to ensure that you don't get spammed. Alternately, you can create a basic contact form that sends inquiries to your email address without having to display it on the front end of your website. Every Fission CMS form also includes a CAPTCHA field to deter spammers. Another option is to create secure, password-protected content pages that require visitors sign-in before viewing specific pages.

 

WOW them with a great design.

When a new visitor lands on your website, you want them to immediately have the feeling that they are in the presence of a secure and professional organization. By now you know that your website should include attractive graphics, a color scheme that fits your business or organization, and a professional logo that solidifies a feeling of trust and confidence in your visitors. However, you'll want to make sure that your site is mobile-friendly, so it may be time to consider a responsive design or dedicated mobile application. A dated website (or one that doesn't work across multiple devices) is a red flag to visitors. If your design isn't up-to-date then why would your security be? Take another look at your design. Is it time for a upgrade?

 

Give them what they came for.

Well written and relevant content will also help to build your visitors' trust. Remember, your visitors are coming to you for something they need - so be sure to deliver! Your website's copy should be informative and easy to find, yet concise and to-the-point. Establishing your expertise through written content will also help to build your brand's credibility, and keep visitors coming back for more.

 

If you're already a 360 PSG client, you know that we already take care of all of this for you (just check out our recent Heartbleed update). But if your site does not currently operate on one of our platforms, then your, and your clients', information may be at risk. Contact an Account Manager at 360psg.com today to learn how we can help secure your website.