1.
Is the content real and not mock design text
If when having a website built the true content is
not available, designers will often use mock, usually
Latin, text to make it look like real content. However
certain merchants either forget to replace this or
deliberately leave it in. Either way this must be
removed and real informational content used.
Not only does this help a customer know who you are
and what you do, it also allows us to fully understand
your business at time of application and also gives
us confidence that you do really exist and are not
simply trying to get the account fraudulently. It
also means that customers are more likely to purchase
from you and the risk of chargebacks from confused
customers is significantly lowered.
2. Does your website
display a refund policy
A refund policy should be clearly displayed on your
website. This can be displayed anywhere on your site,
as long as it is displayed before a customer makes
a payment. Your refund policy may vary according to
whether you are based in or out of the European Union:
If you are based within the EU:
Where you are supplying consumers (i.e. individuals
buying for themselves rather than for a business)
you should make it explicit that the shopper has
the right to cancel within seven days of their contract
with you, or seven days of receipt of the goods
(whichever is the longer). You must also explain
that if the shopper does cancel their order, they
will have their payment returned and outline the
procedures they must follow to return their goods
or services (these requirements ensure you comply
with EU regulations). There are variations to these
rules where you are supplying services or making
customised goods. For information on these rules
you should go to: the DTi website or speak with
your own business advisor.
If you are based outside the EU:
Local regulations may well apply and you should
contact your local department of trade and commerce
or a lawyer to find out what they are, but as a
matter of good practice, if you do not accept returns
you should include a statement making this clear
to the shopper. For examples of refund policy statements,
visit the websites of reputable retailers or seek
advice from organisations such as UK Online for
Business
3. As well as refund
policy, does your website clearly show the following
- Clear posting of the company's
legal name on the website
- Clear posting of the customer
service telephone number and / or email address
- Clear posting of the Terms
and Conditions (if applicable)
- Clear posting of the Privacy
policy
The above should be displayed under their own headings.
This makes it easier for the customer to view the
relevant information and means that they do not need
to spend time looking for it. If this information
is collated in just once place i.e terms and conditions,
then you will need to separate them accordingly.
4. Are your contact details
displayed
You must clearly display your contact details for
your shoppers. These details must include:
- Clear posting of your postal
address
- Clear posting of the customer
service telephone number
- Clear posting of the customer
service email address
5. Is your product pricing
clearly stated
You must provide clear pricing on your website for
the products or services on offer. Unless the website
it for businesses only and not private individuals,
you must show all prices including VAT.
6. Does your website
display the logos of the cards you can accept
Your website must display the logos of the payment
cards that can be accepted through your account (Clause
12b - Customer Agreement). If you are using the World
Account the payment instruments' logos that you can
accept will automatically be displayed on the secure
payment page.
In addition, you are required to display on your
website the logos of the payment instruments that
you can accept. Ideally, the logos should be displayed
at the point of entry to your shop. Thus ensuring
that your shoppers are aware of the payment instruments
that you accept before they make a purchase.
To download all the credit and debit card logos,
including our own, please click
here
7. Does your website
have clear navigation
Your website must have clear a precise navigation.
The navigation must enable a user to easily find their
way around the website and find relevant information
quickly.
8. Does the website look
professional
A website is an extension of your business. If not
your sole business. It is one of the only opportunities
to establish, strengthen and maintain your brand in
the eyes of prospective customers. A badly designed
site will affect the time that your visitors and potential
buyers stay on your site negatively and you will not
be successful in your online business.
A well designed website will impart professionalism
and show visitors that you care about your customers
and your business. It will also convey a feeling of
trust and people will rather buy your products when
you have a good designed website than from a person
who does not have a professional looking website.
9. Is your domain name
registered in your own name and legal entity
Your web address (domain name) must be registered
in your company name. The reason for this is that
if a shopper searches your domain name, they can see
who exactly owns the website they have spent money
with. Basically everything needs to tally up for shopper
confidence. This also helps stop fraudsters opening
and closing businesses every couple of days.
10. Is your website PCI
Compliant
PCI Compliance is the Payment Card Industry Data
Security Standard mandated by the card schemes for
the protection of cardholders and transaction details.
If you do not comply with the standard you could face
substantial fines imposed by card schemes. You could
even find yourself being permanently barred.
You can become compliant by using an assessor. To
see the current list of PA-QSAs recognized by the
PCI Security Standards Council, please see below.
Alternatively search online for 'PCI compliant assessors'.
Please note, the PCI Security Standards Council maintains
an in-depth program for security companies seeking
to be certified as Payment Application Qualified Security
Assessors (PA-QSAs), as well as to be re-certified
as PA-QSAs each year.
We do not take any responsibility for 3rd party websites
and / or services.
Finally...
Honestly ask yourself
- would you make this site live the way it currently
looks?
We know this sounds blunt, but if the site looks
unprofessional, has missing images, uses mock text
instead of real content and you yourself wouldn't
want it to go live, then why would we accept it and
make a merchants' account active?
Your merchant account application will not
be sent to the bank unless the above requirements are
met.
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