Shopping online can be a very scary experience for some consumers. Every day they are barraged with commercials about stolen identities, news reports on Internet company fraud and worries about their personal information being sold to the highest bidder. In order for your company to stay afloat, you are going to need to build online credibility.

The first step towards credibility is making sure your url and your site have a professional appearance. While the free hosting sites are terrific, they usually offer second level domain names, or www.webhost.com/yourcompanyname. It makes a much better impression if your url says www.yourcompanyname.com. There are several domain registrars that offer domain registrations for as little as $6.95, which is money well spent. A professional look to your website will also instill consumer confidence. Make sure your graphics are kept to a minimum and the overall design of your site is uncluttered and easy to navigate.

Next, you will need to have a privacy policy statement where consumers can easily find it. A well-written policy is essential and will save you a lot of hassle down the road. Make sure that you list all the information you collect from your customers and clearly state that their information will not be sold or given out to any other companies.

A visible or easily accessible link to a physical address and contact information is an absolute must for any business website. If you can afford a toll-free number, it