When purchasing online, if using credit cards the site must be SSL encrypted. This encryption method is overseen by the Internet Engineering Task force (IETF). The site does not need to be encrypted if they use a Paypal link. If credit card purchasing is done through a Paypal link and the site is not SSL encrypted this is still safe, because the credit card information is entered into the Paypal system directly from the link and the data is not stored on that site's server.
Whenever you want to check to see any link's address to see where it is going and a web page's coding, in Mozilla Firefox (mozilla.org) and Microsoft's Internet Explorer (microsoft.com) web surfing browsers click on "View" menu at the top then "page source" or "source". You can read the code and where the link is headed to. If a site takes credit cards themselves without Paypal (paypal.com) then they need to be SSL encrypted which was invented by Netscape and means Secure Sockets Layer. The newer method is called Transport Layer Security (TLS), which is very similar. If a site states it is SSL they may actually be using TLS because they are in the same protocol family.
The SSL and TLS method consists of two keys that are used to transmit data. One of the keys is known to the public and the other key (private) is only known by the recipient of the message. The public key encrypts the information and the private key deciphers it. The length of the key is important. As of this writing 128 bit length is considered safe, shorter (40 or 56 bit) is considered unsafe. The encryption creation of the keys works with the combination of your browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox, your operating system, and the site's server. The keys are unique to that one purchase session only and a new key is created when another site is visited and purchased through.
When selling online a very safe method is affiliate selling which allows you to not have to take credit cards or have an SSL or TLS encrypted site unless for some unusual reason you must get sensitive information from the customer. If you are new to affiliate marketing this will give you a basic explanation. With this method of selling on the web there is no need to deal with products. The site you are working with does all customer support, product handling, and taking the actual orders. They track your sales from your links with tracking software or a company that specializes in tracking will do it for them. Signing up for an affiliate program is usually free. If it is not free this should make you double check the site and the products to make sure it is legitimate. If they charge a fee this does not necessarily mean they are no good but it is unusual. Most of the time the company will pay you monthly, but every three months, bi-weekly, weekly, daily and point of sale payouts are also done by companies. There are now thousands of companies to choose from, affiliate selling is exploding. There is also multi-tier, usually two tiers but sometimes more where someone who you get in the program can also sell something and you will also get paid as well as them for their sales.
To run your business you must check with your state, county, city, and federal governments for licensing. You may need a ?fictitious name statement? or ?doing business as? if you are using a company name that you came up with. This is usually a few dollars and issued by your local governments. For affiliate selling you may not need a license(s) because it may only be needed in your area if you are collecting sales tax on the purchases of the products. Since the affiliate companies you are working with collect the taxes for the state they are in you will not be the one collecting taxes at the point of sale. You will have to check with them and they may want you to have a license(s) anyways. Affiliate selling on the web is somewhat a new business model and may require additional checking to fulfill any requirements.
To find out how to check a site for proper encryption and more on affiliate selling, also setting up a website, see Free Guide ?Buying and Selling Online Computer Security Guide? with extended information on these two subjects: www.amazing-adventure.com/Guides/Guide_Listings.htm Glenn Heitkoetter is a part time writer and runs www.amazing-adventure.com |
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