In July of 2001 I wrote about young Internet technology entrepreneur Nick
Collins and his Web Support Live site, developed with the aid of his mentor,
Odin Wortman.
Collins, still under the age of 25, has not slacked off since then. Web
Support Live is still going strong and growing as merchants realize that
shopping on the Internet and offering live support to consumers has become
big business.
Keeping one ear tuned to the comments of merchants and consumers alike as
his mind and hands work his magic on the technology keyboards, Collins has
done it again with a site that just went live on Dec. 13 -_ and the mentor
has now become a partner. Wortman, president of Internet Marketing Solutions
(IMS) has contributed his efforts and ideas to create Internet Safe List.
The market potential for small businesses on the Internet grows stronger
every day. But consumers are leery of shopping on the Web due to scams and
fraudulent companies that don't really exist. A buyer must beware or face
the possibilities of losing hard-earned money or having credit card numbers
"stolen" and used by identify thieves lurking among unsecured Web pages.
Legitimate businesses on the Web may be losing customers as a result.
Collins and Wortman have developed a solution that provides a strong seal
of approval and a safety net for both businesses and consumers. I urge
businesses to check out this site, talk to Collins or a member of his staff,
and get the Internet Safe List seal of approval. Seeing it on a site,
consumers can feel a stronger sense of security doing business with your
company - and both merchant and consumer still have the ability to "chat
live" with Collins and his staff.
"We saw a need for added customer service, safety and security for the
Internet shopper," Collins said. "We thought we should create a certain
level of expectation from an e-store. When the customer sees our ISL seal
they know that we thoroughly checked out the vendor, they do exist, they do
have a valid e-mail and contact info and they do stand behind their
product."
The primary product for merchants is the Internet Safe List Seal. To earn
this seal and have it placed on a business Web site, the company must pass a
10-point Integrity Review that is periodically checked out by the ISL staff.
These 'checks' include mystery online shoppers and verification of the
merchant's website, its owners and operators. Shell corporations, shell Web
sites, or false fronts are not allowed.
Web site security is also periodically checked to protect the integrity
of the site for its consumers against identity theft and undesirable
behaviors such as inflated or false claims, illegal products or services,
misuse of children, excessive popups, and tricky business practices.
For the consumer and merchant alike, ISL has included a section on
avoiding scams. This section has been broken down to include subjects like
identity theft, auction scams, e-commerce scams and the ever present e-mail
and Nigerian scams we all see pop up in our e-mail every day - even
reporters and columnists aren't safe against those.
ISL has 8 or 9 different sections showing various types of scams running
rampant and how to avoid them, helping consumers to become far less
vulnerable when shopping on the Internet.
I asked the ISL partners what differentiated ISL from the Better Business
Bureau.
"We think what the BBB does is good so this is not to criticize the BBB.
It's just that our role is different," Wortman said. "We're around half the
price. Renewal is much less expensive. Our focus is Web-based businesses.
That's where our expertise lies.
"We believe in full disclosure. Anyone working with an Internet Safe List
Web site will know what their privacy rights are. Same with customer
satisfaction/warranty standards."
ISL also helps promote a customer's site. The systems is designed to
generate "grass root traffic" because members cooperatively promote each
other, according to Wortman, which helps expand the network of membership.
"The current list of 'safe list members' has been compiled from our
current members and reliable affiliate Web sites, from both Web Support Live
and Internet Marketing Solutions," Collins said. The membership list is in
the process of being activated, and currently includes only businesses that
the partners have worked with personally for three or more years. The seal
is available to view on the site, but hasn't been activated on member sites
yet. As can be seen, not only a seal of approval, but an actual activation
date will be added so that consumers will be able to see just how current
the safety checks have been completed and membership earned.
UPSIDE: Collins and Wortman have become even stronger advocates of
the small and mid-size business owners with this site. The level of security
and "legitimacy" offered through ISL is clearly evident in this site which
is well organized and all business for business.
DOWNSIDE: ISL is too new to have a downside - and the only one I
see is the lack of members. Considering the site just went 'live' within the
last couple of weeks, I expect to see that change rapidly.
_________________________________________________
Judi's Web appears every Thursday in the Comment section. Reach Judi
Laser at jlaser@patuxent.com or at
410-337-2425, ext. 3437.
