In 2019, online shopping accounted for 13,7% of total sales worldwide. E-commerce has seen accelerated growth in recent years and, like any transaction, it is very important to adopt security measures to avoid a bad experience.
The Millennials and Generation Z, two generations that are connected to the web almost naturally, have driven the growth of e-commerce in recent years. In 2019 alone, it is estimated that this industry generated a turnover of 1 billion euros worldwide., representing 13,7% of total sales.
In the same projection, it is expected that by 2021 the figure will increase to 17,5%. This significant growth shows that consumers identify the multiple advantages of buying online, including:
- More information is available at the time of purchasing the product. Today, the consumer does his or her own research and has more alternatives to choose from. choose what you really want.
- This research allows us to reach micromarkets that are not visible in the traditional model. This allows the customer to have greater availability of products.
- El ecommerce, by eliminating the middleman, reduces the final price for the buyer, which translates into savings.
- Convenience is undoubtedly the biggest advantage. There are no queues or traffic jams; you don't have to leave your home or office, and there is no time limit for shopping.
Yes, the statistics are encouraging and there is still an unimaginable amount of room for growth in e-commerce, which translates into challenges for brands and opportunities for buyers. But just as there are advantages, it is also necessary to consider those security measures that must prevail in any transaction. online.
According to the first observatory on consumer habits in electronic commerce, prepared by Trusted Shops In collaboration with Alpha Research, it is shown that “Consumers value the security of their purchase by 92,8%, the reliability of the offer by 90,2% and data protection by 83,9%”.
When buying online, security is clearly a determining point that does not depend exclusively on the brand. The buyer also plays a relevant role. That is why we share these tips 7 recommendations at the time of performing this operation:
- Make purchases only at secure websites that have the SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) security protocol and an encrypted data connection. To identify these pages you should look for a closed lock icon at the beginning of the URL, usually followed by https://.
- Only buy from websites that accept secure payment methods such as PayPal. This lets you know that they are directly linked to your credit card or bank account, and helps you keep track of your purchase in case of claims.
- If you receive an offer from a brand and you are interested in it, it is best to confirm the authenticity of the promotion on the official website. It is common to receive emails called for stealing information that seek to steal your data to scam you. You should be cautious with the information you obtain on the web and even more so if it comes from well-known sites.
- When making a transaction, it is important to consider whether you are connected to a closed or open Wi-Fi network. While you are exposed to attack on both networks, the security of a closed network (such as your home network) makes it more difficult for a scammer to steal your data. On an open network, such as those in hotels or libraries, it is easier to steal your data.
- Keep the with of your equipment updated and have a good antivirus: this makes it difficult for potential attacks on your privacy to succeed.
- Check your credit card statements frequently after making several online purchases. If you see any suspicious charges, notify your bank immediately.
- Be wary if you are asked for personal information that is not related to the purchase. you are doing: names of family members, access codes to your social networks, among others. Check if you are on the correct website.
E-commerce security is a task that falls on both parties involved in the transaction: the brand and the buyer. Both are responsible for minimizing risk and ensuring a smooth online purchase.