eCommerce - Other Things to Consider

It's extremely important to be legal and decent!

Here are a few more areas that you should think about - they shouldn't be taken as definitive – it's your job to comply with the law!

Privacy Policy

You should check whether you will need to register with the Information Commissioner's Office.

Insurance

Apart from general business insurance - do you need public liability insurance and/or professional indemnity insurance?

VAT

Since 1st April 2009 you must be registered for VATwith HM Revenue & Customs if your annual sales exceed £68,000. If you're not registered, then you don't have to worry about charging VAT and it would be against the law to do so. There are different rules regarding VAT when selling your goods abroad and you should find out about these.

Direct Email Marketing

You can only send direct email marketing information to people who have agreed to receive it from you by directly opting in. It is not sufficient to provide an opt out. If you have obtained a person’s details in the course of making a sale to them, or from a sales enquiry, the rules are different. You are allowed to continue contacting them provided there is a free method of opting out each time you send them an email or communication.

Fraud

One of the biggest worries for people when they start selling on-line is fraud. Sadly, fraud is a now a fact of daily life. To avoid fraud just be vigilant and be aware of some of the tricks a fraudster may try to use when ordering from you:

  • they may use the most expensive shipping method available.
  • they tend to choose the most expensive products you have.
  • They often use free email addresses such as Yahoo or Hotmail (although many genuine customers do too!).

If suspicious you could ask your customer to:

  • fax you proof of their name and address, or,
  • you can telephone them to make sure that the number is genuine

Don’t panic though - most fraudsters will just give up at the first hurdle!

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