TRUSTe Offers First Ever Online Privacy Solution for Small Businesses

Establishing clear policies and disclosures relating to information privacy is key to establishing customer trust. Yet, in a recent survey, TRUSTe found that 56 percent of small business owners with Web sites have no privacy policy and one-third "cut and paste" their privacy policy from another site. With TRUSTe Privacy Services, small businesses can now get an affordable and professional privacy policy and the TRUSTe Verified seal tailored to their specific business needs. Utilizing TRUSTe's advanced technology to scan for privacy and security threats, TRUSTe is now able to offer automated privacy services to small businesses.

Importantly, Consumers benefit from being able to rely on TRUSTe to let them know the small businesses are legitimate and responsible with their personal information and can call on TRUSTe's long-standing consumer dispute resolution services to address privacy concerns.

TRUSTe Privacy Services include:

--  TRUSTe Privacy Service provides Small and Medium Businesses a privacy
    policy that fits the business' needs and practices as well as meets
    TRUSTe's industry standard privacy requirements.  Once the business passes
    web-based privacy and security scans, the business is awarded the TRUSTe
    Verified Seal. TRUSTe also offers A/B testing to measure the level of
    transactional improvements from displaying the trustmark. Other benefits
    include regular updates on privacy issues, account portal, and effective
    consumer dispute resolution services.  Pricing starts at $49.00 per month.

--  Basic Privacy Policy allows a small business owner to obtain an
    accurate and compliant privacy policy based on their business practices
    through TRUSTe's proprietary Privacy Policy Generator, Pricing starts at
    $249.00 for the one-time service and does not include the TRUSTe seal.
    

SMB's with more demanding privacy programs can continue to apply for TRUSTe's flagship web privacy certification program where they receive one-on-one privacy consultations from trained online privacy specialists, customization assistance for privacy disclosures and practices, unlimited display of TRUSTe's well-established Web Privacy Seal, consumer dispute resolution services and more. Pricing starts at $849.00 per year.

"Few entrepreneurs give enough attention to Web site privacy and security, nor do they understand the risks associated," said Fran Maier, CEO of TRUSTe. "As e-commerce sales rise and small businesses migrate to online models, TRUSTe is making affordable, easy-to-use privacy services accessible to companies of all size and type. This inexpensive solution will help small businesses build their brand reputation in order to address the needs and concerns of online customers, leading to greater trust and increased sales conversion rates."

"The retail industry has changed dramatically within the last 10 years, and credibility is paramount to compete. Privacy services from TRUSTe are a perfect solution for us -- for everyone starting out -- because it's easy to lose business when a Web site does not look secure to a potential customer," said Wesley Cutlip, CEO of StoneRose Productions. "As an entrepreneur with a limited budget, improved standards in consultation dealing with any aspect of business is key in making my dollar work for me. TRUSTe's SMB privacy services are simple to integrate because they are so easy to understand, and using their services allows more time for me to concentrate on my customers."

For more information on TRUSTe site services, go to www.truste.com. To learn more about the importance of privacy for small businesses and get some useful tips, go to http://www.truste.com/smb/web_site_tips.html

About TRUSTe

TRUSTe Privacy Seals help consumers click with confidence by guiding them to trustworthy Web sites. Thousands of Web sites rely on TRUSTe industry best practices to help them make the right decisions about privacy and protecting confidential user information. Half of the top fifty Web sites are certified to TRUSTe's leading practices including, Disney, eBay, Facebook, Intuit, Microsoft and Yahoo. To find out more about privacy, visit http://www.truste.com.

TRUSTe Official Blog: www.truste.com/blog

TRUSTe on Twitter http://twitter.com/TRUSTesmallBiz

Additional Testimonials from TRUSTe Small Business Customers

Sasha Givency, WorldDanceShop.com

"In the retail industry, most of our sales come through online channels, so our Web site is critical. I have been looking for different ways to build credibility for my own Web site, and I'm thrilled that TRUSTe is offering this service. Finally there is a solution that takes the legalese out of privacy and makes it simple so that entrepreneurs like me can understand."

Justin Severidt, DiscountFlea.com

"I'm looking for ways to get ahead of the competition and increase sales, and one of the ways I'm doing that is by managing my Web site's reputation. TRUSTe is a great option for me -- as an entrepreneur with a limited budget, I have never had an IT consultant or an in-house lawyer -- they walked me through what I needed to do to make my Web site in compliance and my customers safe."

Peter Ellinwood, GreenPoma.com

"When we were preparing to re-launch our Web site last month, our search engine marketing firm advised us to add a privacy seal to instill visitor confidence and boost conversion rates," says Peter Ellinwood, owner of GreenPoma.com. He adds, "Our due diligence showed TRUSTe to be the best-in-class product for a small business like ours and we are pleased with the advantage the seal brings to our online business."