Last post, we talked about the different components needed for a wholesale website. This post will continue with points 4-8:
4. “HOW TO USE THIS SITE” PAGE. Newcomers will need a place where you explain how to access the site by registering, and using the password system.
5. BUYER REGISTRATION and PASSWORD REQUEST FORM. This is where newbies may download, or fill out online, a registration form qualifying them as a legitimate retailer. (We discussed this in more detail, earlier.)
6. PASSWORD PROTECTION: In order to eliminate access to wholesale pricing by the casual consumer, pages containing wholesale pricing (and perhaps pages describing products, terms, and shipping), should require a password before opening. If a buyer tries to click on any password-protected page without logging in, a log-in form comes up. They see a message asking them to log-in with username and password, before they are allowed to access that page.
7. CONTACT PAGE. A page listing multiple ways to contact you is not only good business, but increasingly required by credit card companies in order for you to get a merchant account. The downside: spammers may pick up your email address and/or your phone number. Business phone numbers are not eligible for the federal government’s “Do Not Call” protection. BUT… customer service comes first, and you will need to deal with jackals as, or if, they call. You can use “contact submission form” software plug-ins, to hide your email address… but these do cut down on the ease of contacting you.
8. PRIVACY PAGE: Very important. Not offering a privacy page which outlines your policies, can affect your Google rankings, your ability to get a merchant account, and you sometimes even lose sales. Check out any of the millions of good privacy statements and policies on the internet. Pilfer the basic terminology (and re-write!) a generic policy from the web site of a company large enough to keep an attorney on retainer. And of course, a good idea is to get your own lawyer to review your privacy policy. You will save money by roughing it out yourself first, however.
