Buzzwords nowadays are E-Commerce and E-Business, so quite a lot of companies are launching themselves into on-line stores, eager to get visitors to buy their products.

It is true that E-Commerce is changing the way we buy things, but there are more than a few unscrupulous individuals who would just love for you to part with your hard earned money. Here are a few tips that you should keep in mind.

1. Trust is always an issue: Always buy from sites that possess established identities and have been around for a while. You wouldn’t buy a car from a salesman that you didn't trust, the same discretion should be applied to the web.
2. Always use secure connections: Financial transactions should always be made over secure connections. How do you know your connection is secure? Internet Explorer and Netscape have a little icon that resembles a padlock. This icon is only active when a secure (encrypted) connection has been established. Never ever transmit credit card information over an insecure connection as thieves may be watching your transaction, ready to snap up your credit card information.
3. Return Policies? Shipping and Handling fees?: Reputable virtual stores are upfront about return policies. Make sure that you are comfortable with the return policy (or lack thereof) of the E-business before you commit to your purchase. Same goes for shipping and handling fees. Some companies cut their list prices only to make up the different by charging astronomical shipping and handling fees. Make sure that you are comfortable with the amount of this fee, and compare the total price with other E-stores. You may be surprised as to which one is the better buy.
4. Will the site protect your privacy?: Reputable sites will have a privacy policy posted on their site before you get to the checkout page. Good sites will not resell your mailing address, email address or even demographics to third parties, or at the very least, they will let you choose whether you wish to release that kind of information. Disreputable sites will sell your information to as many 3rd party companies as possible without your knowledge or consent.