VeriSign offers e-commerce tips to small firms

VeriSign offers guidance on encouraging customer loyalty and preventing phishing attacks

Web site authentication firm VeriSign has launched a new resource offering tips to small businesses on how to grow their organisation while remaining safe online.

The VeriSign Small Business site contains information on how to sell more goods online, including strategies for up-selling, promotions and reviews and ratings systems.

Using case study examples, the site also provides information for companies looking to attract more visitors, with sections covering site search, viral and social marketing and paid search, among others.

Finally, VeriSign offers tips on encouraging customer loyalty, preventing phishing attacks and promoting trusted relationships between business and customer.

"VeriSign is excited to provide small businesses with an online source of innovative strategies to improve the key performance indicators that drive online success," said Tim Callan, vice president of product marketing at VeriSign.

"The launch of the new small business information site will benefit owners of early stage e-commerce sites by supplying the essentials to move from small business to big sales."

Figures from VeriSign released last week highlighted the growing strength of the online channel. Monthly e-retail sales grew at an average rate of 14 per cent year-on-year over the first six months of 2009, while total UK retail sales during the same period saw an average monthly drop of 3.4 per cent.

This means that the proportion of total sales conducted online jumped from 2.7 per cent in June 2008 to 3.3 per cent in June 2009, the firm said.