How to Build a Transaction Website
By Suvro Banerji
Building a transaction website can be a bit challenging. It poses a responsibility on your part, as a webmaster, to make sure your customers feel comfortable sharing their financial information, such as debit card/credit card numbers. You need to make your transaction website secure and, at the same time, easy to use.
Step 1
Buy a simple but professional domain name. If you are creating a website for your business, make sure you use your business name in the URL. Weird or complicated domain names tend to discourage customers to go to your website and share financial information. eNom, GoDaddy and BuyDomains offer affordable rates to purchase a customized domain name (see Resources).
Step 2
Purchase a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate from your domain service provider. An SSL lets you secure all online transactions with up to 256-bit encryption. Sensitive data are kept safe from unwanted visitors, such as hackers or spammers. eNom, GoDaddy and BuyDomains offer affordable rates to purchase SSL certificates (see Resources).
Step 3
Design a website that is easy to navigate. Your customers will most likely complete a transaction if the process is easy. Black text on a white background is one of the most liked combinations. Make sure to offer multiple ways to navigate between pages on your website. You may use both text as well as graphics for buttons. Also, try to maintain a consistent look on all of your Web pages.
Step 4
Set up PayPal on your website for all of the transactions. PayPal is a free service that also has a good reputation. Chances are your customers will feel more comfortable sharing their credit card details using PayPal. (See References and Resources.)
Step 5
Provide detailed information on the products or services you are selling on your transaction website. If possible, add photos or graphics of your products. Online customers like to see the products visually before making a purchase.
References
Writer Bio
Suvro Banerji is a recent graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism where he earned a dual degree in broadcast news and political science. He began writing professionally in 2005 at KOMU-8 News (NBC) where he worked as a multimedia producer. Banerji has also interned with CNN for two consecutive years.