Ecommerce platforms can be an exciting opportunity for business owners to increase sales. However, cybercrime is one thing entrepreneurs should be aware of. Fortunately, you can take many preventive measures to ensure your website is secure.
Here are the best tips for securing your e-commerce website and keeping your company and your customers’ information safe.
Why E-Commerce Website Security Is Important
Security should be the most crucial aspect of your e-commerce website. Without it, you put your online business, brand and customers at risk of online fraud and data theft.
E-commerce offers plenty of opportunities for companies. About 69% of U.S. consumers have shopped online, and that number is likely to grow, and approximately 94% of buyers in the B2B sector shop online. E-commerce operations offer immense earning opportunities for business owners.
However, these statistics might not matter at all if your business isn’t safe. As people might think, small companies are most targeted by cybercriminals, not large organizations. Small businesses are most likely to be the target because owners believe they aren’t vulnerable. Furthermore, cybercriminals expect your security to be weak, making it a prime opportunity for them to attack.
Small e-commerce websites are constantly at risk of a data breach and monetary fraud and loss of customer trust. Business owners that fall victim to a hack have difficulty regaining those customers in the future.
Think of e-commerce security as a benefit for you and your customers to feel safe.
Use Strong PasswordsSome software is becoming more thorough through multifactor authentication, but most use standard access. Businesses still use passwords for everyday things such as website logins and more, and many users might use the same ones for different services. However, doing so makes it easier for hackers to steal information. Once they have one password, they can apply it to various services, making you more vulnerable.
Password strength is crucial for keeping your e-commerce site secure. If you like to use the same login for different services, there’s a solution — a password manager. These tools can help you manage password protection more effectively without recalling information.
- Choose a Secure Web Hosting Platform
E-commerce businesses must have a secure web hosting service and platform for optimal protection. Most websites have already built security measures, but this may not be the standard for all service providers.
The best solution is to shop around before you make your final decision. Compare different hosting and platform services to find the best fit. You’ll want to keep a lookout for services that offer complete protection, such as SQL injections and malware.
In addition to finding a security service provider, you’ll need an SSL certificate for your website. SSLs can encrypt data between your site and the web browser and comply with the Payment Card Industry Security Standards.
- Conduct Website Data Backups Regularly
E-commerce website backups don’t prevent security threats, but they help minimize the aftermath of one. This strategy helps protect your information so it’s not lost, corrupted or held hostage.
Furthermore, it’s a good business practice to take time to back up your website’s data regularly.
You should do this any time you make an update. For instance, if you publish content daily, you should back it up at least once a day or more.
You can also set up automated backups to ensure you don’t forget in the future. Most e-commerce platforms will have this feature included in the service.
- Implement a Third-Party Website Tool
Most e-commerce hosting services provide a set of monitoring tools, but utilizing a robust third-party option can provide further measures. You can shop around for website monitoring tools that offer more features to keep your site running securely.
Third-party tools allow you to build a customized dashboard and utilize certain features like performance checks and application health. Furthermore, monitoring tool features offer business managers and IT professionals a chance to track any security problems ahead of time.
If you currently have an e-commerce website, it would be wise to investigate these tools to secure your site and data.
- Apply a Website Application Firewall
A website application firewall (WAF) takes your e-commerce website security to the next level. This feature protects your site from forgery requests, SQL injections and XSS. Additionally, it helps reduce the risk of a DDoS attack and protects it from hackers.
Plenty of web application firewall vendors exist online. When looking for one, ensure it fits your needs and budget and is trusted by other e-commerce businesses.
Enhancing Your E-Commerce Website Security
Ensuring your e-commerce website is secure is critical for you and your customers. Any site can be at risk of a cyberattack, but you can take certain precautions using the above security tips. Your efforts will more than pay off in the end.
