Follow these Security Tips For E-Commerce Sites to protect your customers

Most of us are familiar with using e-commerce sites to purchase just about anything imaginable. Mobile devices and the Internet of things have made it easier than ever to access goods and services with a few short clicks. Unfortunately, the luxury of this convenience can also mean gambling with sensitive, personal information on the web. According to the Insurance Information Institute, cybercrime and identity theft resulted in a $16 billion total loss for 15.4 million U.S. consumers last year.

To ensure security and a safe experience for your customers, here are three security tips for e-commerce sites:

Never Store Billing Information

E-commerce sites should never save or store unnecessary customer information. This is among the chief rules regulated by a global organization known as the PCI Security Standards Council. This organization has outlined standard security requirements, commonly referred to as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, or PCI DSS for short.

PCI compliance requires tokenization, a system that replaces the digits of a credit card with tokens, which function as a placeholder for that information. This form of encryption requires strict security control to detokenize the encrypted data.

When browsing for merchant services, look for payment processing that simplifies the PCI DSS compliance process, and utilizes tokenization encryption technology. Merchant services that offer credit card machines will usually offer some kind of e-commerce specific protection plan that supports PCI regulations.

Use a Secure E-Commerce Platform

You don’t have to be a security professional to provide customers with tight security features on your e-commerce site. A lot of worry and frustration can be avoided by picking a platform that prioritizes built-in security features over flashy design elements.

For example, many e-commerce packages are already PCI-compliant. This means the payment processor is often built-in and ready to enforce strong passwords, secure checkout pages, and more.

Look for a platform that has strong security features. Even if the platform doesn’t have all the bells and whistles you want, many of those things can be added later via external solutions or plugins.

Don’t Neglect Security On-the-Go

Many e-commerce businesses also sell their goods and services at events, tradeshows, street fairs, and festivals. Don’t neglect security for these important transactions.

A smartswipe credit card reader helps business owners take payments on-the-go safely and security. Use a wireless or mobile credit card reader with encryption technology to ensure the privacy and security of your customers. If you can’t provide security in person, it’s doubtful a customer will seek your goods online.

If you own an e-commerce business, security should be your number one priority. Follow these simple tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for your customers.