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Do Some Web Hosts Specialize in E-Commerce?

Almost any Web host will tell you that it's able to handle e-commerce. Take these claims with a grain of salt: E-commerce is a special application, and mistakes or problems can upset your customers and hurt your business.

E-commerce requires particular attention to security. E-commerce Web servers encrypt credit card numbers and other personal information when customers submit them, protecting them from eavesdroppers. A qualified Web host knows what kinds of Web servers to use and how to configure them to protect your customers. Online security is a difficult and complex job, and your Web host should bring a lot of skill and attention to the task.

Once you've found a few Web hosts that take online security seriously, compare their e-commerce systems. Many e-commerce software vendors partner with hosting services, offering industrial-strength applications. These partnerships are now common among Web hosts, and they're a great way to get access to an e-commerce package that you could never afford on your own. When you find out which software a host uses, visit the vendor's site and familiarize yourself with the product. You can also visit online newsgroups, mailing lists and technology-news Web sites to learn what other people think of the product and whether users have reported major bugs or security flaws.

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