PwC bids to boost online purchasing
PricewaterhouseCoopers has published a list of disclosure standards aimed at overcoming consumer doubts about making on-line purchases.
PwC said its BetterWeb Programme is designed to improve the quality of information that an on-line business provides to its customers, especially with regard to how security and privacy issues will be managed.
‘With the expectation that the number of on-line buyers in Europe will more than quadruple in the next five years, reaching 85 million in 2005, successful online businesses will be those which are committed to build trust and loyalty with their customers,’ said Stephen Rowe, PwC BetterWeb Programme Leader in the UK.
‘Businesses are ploughing money into e-commerce technology and advertising but not always targeting enough of that investment in building loyal customer relationships. Better standards should lead to improved consumer confidence and a means for businesses to gain competitive edge. This is the philosophy behind BetterWeb.’
The disclosure standards provided by BetterWeb have been designed to help on-line businesses address the four areas where consumers perceive most risk in on-line transactions: sales terms, privacy, security and customer complaint procedures. The programme has already been successfully launched in the US.