Earning a visitor's trust

Fine line between showing you care, and "Methinks he doth protest too much"

[MatthewHSE]

When it comes to giving out e-mail addresses, physical addresses, credit card information, and other personal details, we all know it's important to earn the visitor's trust. Personally, I do that by having an easy-to-find and easy-to-read privacy policy, plus little assurances here and there that "your e-mail address will never be rented or sold" and the like.

But lately, I've been wondering if there's a point at which you say too much to assure the visitor; in other words, falling into the trap of the visitor thinking, "Methinks he doth protest too much."

To put it another way, what's too little, what's too much, and what's just right when it comes to assurances of privacy and security?

[John Carpenter]

To put it another way, what's too little, what's too much, and what's just right when it comes to assurances of privacy and security?

I think this largely depends on the individuality. Some people are naive, some people are paranoid. For some people something is too much, while for some it's too little. It's very hard dealing with these issues in an universal way.

[txbakers]

Here is my privacy noticed as posted on the website:

1) We do not sell or rent our e-mail lists.

2) We do not sell or rent any student information.

3) E-Mails are sent from us to you for informational purposes such as changes to the Charms Program.

4) Student information can only be accessed by the head director or assistants with a valid username and password, or the Charms database administrators. Parents can access their own student's information with a valid ID or password.

5) It's that simple.

[etechsupport]

I think when you create your web presence and a formal relationship with your customers then probably the matter of privacy and security will not arise, as at this stage normally they start trusting on you and your company and you'll be able to provide your visitors and customers with quality support by email, telephone or even live support on your site. That will further increase your visitor's trust in your company.