1. What is the Guardian eCommerce
Privacy Seal Program and Privacy Seal?
Guardian eCommerce is a trusted third party organization dedicated to
online consumer protection while exposing valid, legit, and trustworthy Web
sites. The Privacy Seal Program is nothing more than the official
name for what Guardian eCommerce administers on a 24/7
basis. The Privacy Seal Program is what Guardian eCommerce administers through:
Web site monitoring, Web site evaluation, Web site seal certification, and
online consumer protection. The Privacy Seal Program is responsible for the
daily, around-the-clock activities associated with maintaining harmony
between Web sites and online consumers worldwide. The Privacy Seal is a site
seal of approval or trust seal that is awarded to trustworthy Web sites that respect
online privacy and e-commerce security.
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2. What are the e-business benefits
of the Guardian eCommerce Privacy Seal Program?
There are many proven e-business benefits for Privacy Seal Program
site certification. The major e-business benefit revolves around the
our proven concept: site credibility pays! This means many e-business Web sites
can increase online sales substantially with Privacy Seal Program certification.
In fact, in some cases, e-business member Web sites can increase online sales
up to 250% just by displaying the Guardian eCommerce privacy seal. Another
e-business benefit of Privacy Seal Program certification is that it's
an extremely affordable e-business solution. See
more
Privacy Seal Program benefits.
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3. What Web site qualifications
are required for Privacy Seal certification?
Our Web site Privacy Seal Program site certification qualifications are
outlined in our
site requirements page. Web sites meeting most, but not all, of
the site seal certification requirements may qualify for the 'safe site' seal
status instead (for information Web sites, non-ecommerce sites only).
For Web sites to qualify for the Privacy Seal Program
site certification, Web sites must comply with the Guardian eCommerce site
code
of ethics, which addresses consumer online privacy and e-commerce
security concerns. All privacy seal applicants must complete the
online
registration form to initiate the site certification process. We also offer
a free Web site evaluation for Web sites that want to save time and quickly see if
their Web site pre-qualifies for
Privacy Seal Program site seal certification. Guardian eCommerce has also provided a
quick
'how-to-register' guide for new Web site applicants. Generally, a Web site
that is committed to online privacy, e-commerce security, and online
consumer protection is one that will easily qualify for inclusion into the
Privacy Seal Program.
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4. Will Guardian eCommerce award site seal
certification to adult or gambling Web sites?
The Guardian eCommerce Privacy Seal Program is an e-business solution
available to ANY Web site that can meet the Privacy Seal Program site
seal certification requirements, regardless of Web site content. The Guardian
eCommerce Privacy Seal Program will not discriminate against any Web site or
e-business, provided it is free from illegal, violent, abusive, and/or
racial content. There are many legitimate, consumer-safe, and responsible
adult, gambling, and lottery sites on the Web, the Guardian eCommerce Privacy
Seal Program exists to identify them.
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5. How much does it cost for Privacy
Seal Program site certification and are there discounts?
There is only ONE price charged for ALL Web site and e-business
applicants. Currently, the regular price for Privacy Seal Program site
certification is $39.99 USD, (but Guardian
eCommerce has a limited time site seal certification
offer of $19.99 USD). This will
give member Web sites ONE YEAR active site seal certification status. By comparison
to other site seal programs, Guardian eCommerce site seal certification pricing
is very reasonable and gives Web sites
far MORE benefits. It's also one of the MOST
affordable e-business solutions in it's category. Discounts are offered to those
Web site applicants seeking site seal certification for more than one Web site.
In such cases, one of the Guardian eCommerce Privacy Seal Program administrators
will contact multi-site applicants once initial site registration is received.
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6. How long does the Privacy Seal
Program site certification term last?
Web sites that have registered for site seal certification will get their
Privacy Seal Program benefits and Privacy Seal active site seal status for
ONE YEAR. (However, if the Web site registers for a two year term, then of course,
their Privacy Seal Program site benefits and their active site seal status
will expire after two years.
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7. How long does the Web site
evaluation take before my Web site is approved?
The Web site evaluation process will commence once a Web site or e-business
applicant
has
registered for Privacy Seal Program site certification and has made
proper payment. It takes no more than 8 business days to complete the
Web site evaluation process and to issue the
Privacy Seal Program active site seal. We execute countless Web site
evaluations daily, but usually Web site evaluations are completed within 5
business days, (provided all Web site privacy seal certification requirements
have been met).
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8. Does Guardian eCommmerce work with
other organizations or government agencies?
Guardian eCommerce provides a trusted third party site verification service.
Our trusted third party site verification service is acknowledged by several
entites. However, Guardian eCommerce is a totally independent
organization, functioning as a private entity but a public advocate for
online consumer protection. We
are dedicated to online consumer protection and e-business site credibility,
while exposing trustworthy
Web sites, paving the way for a safe and secure Internet environment for all.
Guardian eCommerce is connected
internally to several authoritative and law enforcement agencies for the purposes
of reporting Internet activities that endanger online consumers. We are
currently creating alliances with these entities; all in the name of solidifying
a collaborative effort in establishing an e-commerce experience that is safe,
private, and secure for online consumers worldwide.
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9. My Web site already has a site
seal, why register for your Privacy Seal?
Guardian eCommerce does not necessarily suggest Web sites or e-business
sites should participate in all similar site seal certification programs.
The Guardian eCommerce Privacy
Seal Program can only increase consumer confidence and Web site credibility, which
in turn allows Web sites to increase online sales. In the end, it is up to the
Web site or e-business owner to decide if added consumer assurance and
site credibility are important. Web sites could never have too much online
consumer assurance that it
can be trusted, as for some online consumers, more assurance is better! In todays
e-commerce environment, online consumers must feel totally confident and
comfortable with EVERY aspect about the Web sites they visit before they
consider conducting business with the site. Therefore, Guardian
eCommerce recommends Privacy Seal Program site membership to gain
maximum confidence from online consumers, and most of all, potential customers.
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10. Do I need a privacy policy for my
Web site?
Web sites do not necessarily need a privacy policy. No. But to gain
trust and respect from Internet users, Web sites have to earn it.
Guardian eCommerce strongly advises all Web sites to provide a privacy policy (or
privacy statement). A Web site that provides open disclosure through
it's privacy policy is one that
can be trusted and is respected. E-business success will clearly depend upon
whether or not it can be trusted, Web site success comes with site credibility...
and that's a proven fact! Web sites should
provide the respect for online privacy, e-commerce security, consumer
protection, and trust. Web sites should treat customer personal information
with privacy, security, and care. Web sites should utilize a privacy policy
that gives users notice, choice, access, and security with regard to their
personal information. Web sites should utilize a privacy policy which is based
on fair information principles, taking appropriate measures to provide
adequate security, and respecting customer preferences regarding
unsolicited email. Currently, in most parts of the world, there is no law
or legislation in place requiring Web sites to display a privacy policy.
However, while governments are becoming increasingly aware of issues pertaining
to online privacy, consumers are becoming increasingly sensitive to online
privacy and surrendering personal information. Most online consumers know now
that their personal information may be used for a purpose other than it
was originally gathered for. Web site's are advised to provide open
disclosure through a privacy policy which addresses personal information
collection. Be assured that whether the law requires it or not, a Web site lacking
a privacy policy or privacy statement that is easily accessible, can only
have a negative impact on the Web site as a whole. Please Note: To
become a Guardian eCommerce Privacy Seal Program certified site, a privacy policy is
mandatory.
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11. My Web site has a privacy
policy already, why should I still register my Web site?
A privacy policy only suggests to site visitors and potential customers that
you may respect the online privacy of consumers. This is fine. However,
studies have shown that by having a privacy policy alone does not necessarily
make your Web site a trustworthy one? After all, any Web site can generate a
privacy policy and post it? Today, online consumers need more. Online consumers
want to engage in e-commerce with the confidence and assurance that the Web
sites they visit can be trusted, and is credible enough to transact with.
Therefore, a Web site's privacy policy is simply not enough. It's proven,
utilizing non-objective trusted third party site verification, like
the Guardian eCommerce Privacy Seal Program adds merit to the Web site's
privacy policy, and site credibility for the Web site as a whole.
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12. Why must I have a privacy policy
in order to get a Privacy Seal?
Guardian eCommerce's primary objective is to protect online consumers
while exposing trustworthy Web sites. As such, a primary requirement for Privacy
Seal Program site seal certification is that applicant Web sites must have a
valid privacy policy. Guardian eCommerce is a proponent of fair
information principles, taking appropriate measures to provide adequate
security, full and open disclosure, and respecting customer preferences
regarding unsolicited email and online privacy. Guardian eCommerce will only
certify Web sites respecting the online privacy of consumers.
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13. How is your Privacy Seal
Program different from other site seal certification programs?
The Guardian eCommerce Privacy Seal Program is indeed different in several ways
from other site seal certification programs available today. Some Web site
certification programs may ONLY focus on and confirm a Web site's privacy
policy existence, while others may ONLY check and confirm a Web site's
business record. There is one site seal program on the Web that identifies ONLY
Web sites by their consumer complaint track records. None of these site
seal programs or third party site verification providers give real assurance
online consumers require today to conduct business online! This
is a proven fact!
On the other hand, the Guardian eCommerce Privacy Seal Program identifies
trustworthy Web sites, providing maximum assurance to online consumers that
our Privacy Seal member sites can be trusted. As further assurance,
Guardian eCommerce also provides consumers with a
consumer
protection warranty, assuring consumers that Guardian eCommerce approved
Web sites can be trusted. The Guardian eCommerce Privacy Seal Program is
the only trusted third
party site certification program that provides an online consumer
protection warranty on a 24/7 basis keeping online
consumers truly protected! Currently, there
are NO site seal certification providers that provide the same warranty.
Consider what online consumers believe to be the most important factors to
them in terms of what is verified by a trusted third party like Guardian
eCommerce. In todays e-commerce environment, online consumers must feel
totally confident and comfortable with EVERY aspect of a Web site before
they consider conducting business with the site. Therefore, some Web sites
may want to consider getting certified by Guardian eCommerce to gain
maximum confidence from online consumers, and most of all, potential customers!
Other major differences between our Privacy Seal Program site
certification and others are:
- Guardian eCommerce charges fees based solely for
the cost of operating this service and the Privacy Seal Program. The fee
is the SAME for all Web site applicants regardless of annual sales or e-business
size.
- Guardian eCommerce Privacy Seal Program site requirements are
less restrictive in terms of which Web sites will be reviewed, verified,
and approved. Meaning, some site seal certification programs do NOT approve
of gambling or adult-related sites. Whereas the Guardian eCommerce Privacy Seal
Program will register and approve any Web site, provided these sites conform 100% to
our site requirements and e-commerce code of ethics.
- The Guardian eCommerce Privacy Seal Program maximizes online consumer
confidence by ensuring all aspects of online safety exist
- The Guardian eCommerce Privacy Seal Program provides online consumer
protection, and a one-of-a-kind consumer protection warranty.
- Online consumers seeking Web site references from Guardian eCommerce will
be referred to Privacy Seal Program member Web sites ONLY... which means
additional quality traffic and our member e-business sites increase online
sales
- All member Web sites will be listed in our Safe Site Web directory
- The Guardian eCommerce Privacy Seal Program is the most
affordable e-business solution, in its class.
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14. My Web site does not sell
anything, should I still register my Web site?
Our Privacy Seal Program helps to assure your site visitors or potential
customers that the information you are providing on your Web site is reliable
and comes from an honest source. Further, should you incorporate third
party advertising on your Web site, your Web site's credibility is necessary if
you want your Web site to be considered seriously. Our mission is to make the Web
a safer place for online consumers worldwide, whether you are selling or
merely providing informative content online.
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15. My Web site does not collect
personal information, so why register my Web site?
Whether you are collecting personal information or not, the Guardian
eCommerce Privacy Seal Program increases the credibility and reputation of
member Web sites. Again, studies have shown that a vast majority of online
consumers prefer to visit and transact with Web sites that
have been verified and approved by a non-objective trusted third party such
as Guardian eCommerce. An approved Web site that displays a recognized seal
of approval will only have a positive impact in the online consumer and the
member Web site. Our Privacy Seal does exactly that for all Web sites.
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16. My Web site has been around for
many years, so why register my Web site?
It's imperative to understand that many studies have shown that those Web
sites participating in a non-objective trusted third party site certification
program receive more business than those Web sites that don't. Plain and simple.
Site credibility pays. A Web site's participation in a trusted
third party Privacy Seal Program in what
Guardian eCommerce administers ALSO enhances profitability and sales.
So although you might have had a Web site for a long time now, no matter what
type of Web site you have, a Web site approved by a trusted third party site
seal certification program only increases consumer confidence and helps
increase online sales. If you want to increase your Web site's credibility
and awareness of your commitment to consumer protection, it is suggested Web
sites apply for participation in the Privacy Seal Program
and get approved by Guardian eCommerce. We also
offer a free Web site evaluation to see if your Web site pre-qualifies for
Privacy Seal Program site seal certification. Save time, get the
free Web site evaluation.
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17. Do you have a sample privacy policy
I could post on my Web site?
The Guardian eCommerce
privacy policy is based on effective personal
information management and can be used by Web sites as a reference for
effective privacy policy implementation. Alternatively, you may want to visit
the Guardian eCommerce Online Privacy Web Site Resource And Information page or
the Guardian eCommerce Online Privacy Guide, where you will find loads of
references, resources, and key information relating to online privacy and
effective privacy policy implementation. You will also find links to privacy
policy generators and even a sample privacy policy that's accepted by
Guardian eCommerce.
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18. If I purchase the Privacy Seal, can
I still collect personal information?
Of course. But this must be openly disclosed. We
certainly realize email, for example, can be a huge marketing
tool for legit Web sites and e-business, no question. However, we do not
approve personal
information collected for a purpose other than what it was originally gathered
for. We do not approve repeated or harassing unsolicited mail, or third
party repeated unsolicited email campaigns, (i.e. SPAM). If you intend to
collect personal information from customers as an approved Web site, make it clear
to the online customer your Web site will do so (as per stated privacy
policy). However,
an approved Web site must respect consumer online
privacy and an online consumer's right to privacy and choice, (unsubscribe
requests or 'opt-outs').
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19. What happens if my Web site
fails your Web site evaluation process?
If your Web site is found to be in 'total' non-compliance with our
site
requirements or
e-commerce
code of ethics, your Web site will not be
certified. At this point, you will be notified and advised of the changes you
will need to make your Web site certifiable. You will have 14 days to
make those changes and notify us when this has been completed. Then we will
re-attempt the Web site evaluation process. If your Web site still fails to
comply, then site seal certification will be denied. Your Web site
seal application will be discarded. Our Web site
approval rate is 94% as of February 2006. So chances are, your Web site will
be approved. However, if it fails to be approved the first time you apply, we
will work with you closely to help your Web site pass the Web site
evaluation process. Generally, if you respect online privacy, e-commerce
security, and consumer protection, your site will be
likely be approved.
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20. Can I apply for a site seal if my
Web site has not yet been launched?
You can apply for Privacy Seal Program site certification at
anytime. However, if your Web site is not active yet, then you need to
specify this on the registration form where requested. After you submit
the registration form, and once we receive payment, we will initiate the
Web site evaluation process during or near the Web site launch date you
specify on the registration form. Alternatively, you may want to register once
your Web site is up and active. We do advise you to register with us before
the official launch of your Web site, this will ensure that your Web site is
already registered and approved when your Web site is first launched.
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21. What if my site content
changes after my Web site is approved?
No problem. First off, we know from time to time, people will need to
update their Web site content, and this is fine. Our Privacy Seal Program
personnel will monitor approved member Web sites periodically. As
long as your certified Web site remains in compliance with the site requirements,
code of ethics, and member terms and conditions, there is no problem with
changing the content of your Web site. If we happen to visit your Web site
after issuing your site certification seal, anytime throughout your Privacy Seal
Program certification term (of one year), and find that your
Web site has been altered or changed in a manner that does not conform to our
site requirements, code of ethics, and member terms and conditions, then we
will notify you to correct the problem accordingly. In this case, you will
have 14 days to do this and notify us of the required changes made. If by
then, the Web site has not been updated, we will be forced to revoke your Web
site's Privacy Seal Program seal certification status, and NO refunds
will be issued in this case. So Web site content changes are fine as long as
they meet above stated standards.
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22. Can I use my site seal logo
in offline marketing material like telephone books?
Yes. If your Web site has been approved, you can use the seal of approval or
privacy seal in your offline marketing efforts, whatever that
may entail, (i.e. newspapers,
brochures, telephone directory ads, etc.).
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23. Does Guardian eCommerce evaluate
site SSL encryption and SSL security?
Yes. Where sensitive personal or financial information will be collected by
the Web site or e-business applicant, online security will be evaluated closely.
Only where
applicable: any online transactions (i.e. online payments) to be conducted within
the Web site MUST be in an encrypted SSL connection, (session encryption
strength, server certificate, SSL authentication, and SSL certificate expiry will
be analyzed for 'actual' online security provided vs. what is posted.
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24. Is there a dispute resolution
process for customers and Privacy Seal sites?
We will act as a non-objective trusted third party for the resolution of
disputes between Guardian eCommerce certified Web sites, (current and
active Privacy Seal Program member sites) and their customers,
who have filed a complaint against such sites. Arbitrary intervention is only
the last alternative, customers must seek to resolve disputes with Web sites
first. We will provide our dispute resolution for Guardian eCommerce approved
Web sites only. In such cases, we will administer our dispute resolution process
by working with both the Web site operator/owner and the customer. We
will execute a dispute resolution process where the end result will be
deemed arbitrarily binding and fair. In which case, both parties must mutually
agree to execute, thus resolving the dispute.
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25. Why is your Privacy Seal Program
more affordable than others?
Our primary clients (target-market) are Internet business startups, WAHM
business Web sites, and small business online entities seeking an affordable
e-business solution that exposes their legitimate and safe Web sites. Many
of these online businesses simply cannot afford what some of the other site
seal certification programs charge. We do not subscribe to costly Web-based
ad campaigns. (We rely only on word-of-mouth and search engine results
for sufficient Web exposure.) We do not utilize costly forms of
financial payment services. (Honestly, if we incorporated every form of
payment services available on the Web today, our operating costs would
substantially increase - in which case, so would our registration price.)
We do not execute marketing measures through mass media channels. (Media
channels like magazines, newspapers, television, etc. do help, but to keep costs
down, we do without mass media marketing.) We have our own 'in-house'
payrolled technical support staff available 24/7. (We do not 'sub-contract'
various technical services with multiple parties, this is simply too costly
an expense for our organization.) We maintain low operating costs, to keep our
site seal price low! We do not subscribe to umpteen offices and
telephone lines, nor do
we endorse any cost that is truly unnecessary. Before we launched in 2002,
it was clear, our clientele wanted an affordable e-business solution, we
delivered! These are just some of the reasons why the Guardian eCommerce Privacy
Seal Program is more affordable than some of the
other trust seal programs available on the Web today. We simply transform the
cost-savings realized into an economical price for member Web sites to participate
in our Privacy Seal Program. We are very dedicated
to exposing safe and trustworthy Web sites, in a way that is cost-efficient for
all Web sites.
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26. What is the difference between
the 'Safe Site' and the 'Approved Site' site certification seals?
Guardian eCommerce provides only 2 kinds of Privacy Seal Program certified
site seals (i.e. site seal logos). There is the
'Safe Site' certified site seal of approval, and the
'Approved Site' certified site seal of approval.
Our 'Safe Site' certified site seal of approval are for Web
sites that provide valid privacy policies and contact information, but do
not provide for secure online transactions or are not engaged in
e-commerce altogether, (i.e. online transactions).
Our 'Approved Site' certified site seal of approval is
more dynamic in that it is mostly for e-commerce Web sites. This site seal is
also referred to as our SSL Secure site seal or SSL seal, (padlock image within
the site seal). The 'Approved Site' certified site seal is for e-commerce Web
sites that have valid privacy policies and contact information, utilizing
online transactions in a secure environment, (SSL secure session encryption, 128
bit minimum). The 'Approved Site' acts as our Privacy Seal and an SSL Secure
site seal, and is recommended for ALL e-commerce Web sites. Both certified
site seals come in two colors, and two styles (flash-animated
and image type only), but you can view all certified
site
seal samples here.
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