In order to find out how well your website is working for you, there are a variety of website tracking service that record the number of visitors, what pages they read and for how long, as well as many other useful statistics.

Although optional, I highly recommend using one of these tracking services to gauge just how well your website is performing.

You can find out, for instance, if your visitors tend to just glance at a particular page of your site rather than really studying the information. Perhaps the conclusion would be that the material is not written in a way that interests your visitors, allowing you to determine whether you need to rewrite that particular section of material.

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is a protocol for enabling data encryption on the intranet and for helping web site users confirm the owner of the web site. SSL is most commonly used to protect communications between web browsers and servers. However it is increasingly used for server to server communications and for web-based applications.

What is encryption and why are there different levels?

Encryption is a mathematical process of coding and decoding information. The number of bits (40-bit, 56-bit, 128-bit, 256-bit) tells you the size of the key. Like a longer password, a larger key has more possible combinations. When an encrypted session is established, the encryption level is determined by the capability of the web browser, SSL certificate, web server, and client computer operating system.

Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificates: where the Certification Authority (CA) checks the right of the applicant to use a specific domain name PLUS it conducts a THOROUGH vetting of the organization. The issuance process of EV Certificates is strictly defined in the EV Guidelines, as formally ratified by the CA/Browser forum in 2007, that specify all the steps required for a CA before issuing a certificate, and includes:

• Verifying the legal, physical and operational existence of the entity
• Verifying that the identity of the entity matches official records
• Verifying that the entity has exclusive right to use the domain specified in the EV Certificate
• Verifying that the entity has properly authorized the issuance of the EV Certificate

EV Certificates are available for all types of businesses, including government entities and both incorporated and unincorporated businesses. A second set of guidelines, the EV Audit Guidelines, specify the criteria under which a CA needs to be successfully audited before issuing EV Certificates. The audits are repeated yearly to ensure the integrity of the issuance process.

Organization Validation (OV) SSL Certificates: where the CA checks the right of the applicant to use a specific domain name PLUS it conducts some vetting of the organization. Additional vetted company information is displayed to customers when clicking on the Secure Site Seal, giving enhanced visibility in who is behind the site and associated enhanced trust.

Domain Validation (DV) SSL Certificates: where the CA checks the right of the applicant to use a specific domain name. No company identity information is vetted and no information is displayed other than encryption information within the Secure Site Seal.

Over half of small businesses today do not have a privacy policy or even if they do their policy doesn't sufficiently cover their data collection processes leaving them open to legal risks.

A privacy policy is a legal document that is required by law in some jurisdictions, as well as being required for services like Google AdSense. With privacy related lawsuits being more common sites without a policy are at serious risk. Mitigate risk and save the high cost of hiring a lawyer by leveraging the most trusted source for online privacy, TRUSTe.

About TRUSTe

As the leading internet privacy services provider, TRUSTe helps thousands of businesses promote online safety and trust, and guides consumers to sites that protect their online privacy. TRUSTe helps both consumers click with confidence and online companies promote their Web site privacy policies online. Thousands of Web sites rely on TRUSTe's privacy, including top-fifty sites like Yahoo, Facebook, MSN, eBay, Disney, Comcast and Apple.

Programs & Services

Web Privacy

Identifies companies that adhere to TRUSTe's strict online privacy principles which protects the privacy of your personal information. We back up the integrity of our seal programs with our online Watchdog Dispute Resolution program, which lets users hold TRUSTe clients accountable.

EU Safe Harbor

Certifies companies to be in compliance with the European Union Directive on Data Protection specifically the Safe Harbor framework which ensures European citizens that their privacy is protected.

Email Privacy

Reinforces companies' commitments to good email practices by certifying email disclosures, reputation, and unsubscribe policies.

Children's Privacy

Certifies that companies are compliant with the COPPA Rule – letting parents know that kids' (under age 13) information is safe.

Trusted Download

Provides market incentives for adware and other software companies to clearly and unavoidably communicate key functionalities and obtain informed consumer consent prior to download.

TRUSTed Ads

TRUSTed Ads is a DAA-Approved technology platform that allows companies to effectively self-regulate their online behavioral advertising practices and build trust with consumers, partners and regulators.

TRUSTed Cloud

Trusted Cloud data privacy certification helps a service provider to close more business faster by demonstrating high standards for data management and privacy for their service platform and website.

TRUSTed Apps

Trusted Apps data privacy certification helps an app owner or app developer demonstrate high standards for data management and privacy for their business-to-business apps.

Dispute Resolution

Provides companies that do business with European citizens and certified against the Dept. of Commerce's EU Safe Harbor framework with TRUSTe's Watchdog Dispute Resolution process. Dispute Resolution allows you to report violations of posted privacy statements and specific online privacy issues that pertain to TRUSTe clients websites. TRUSTe investigates all eligible complaints and mediates solutions between users and websites.