Black Weeks: How to shop safely online and what to watch out for

To make sure your hunt for bargains doesn't end in disappointment, it's worth taking a closer look at who you're trusting with your money before completing a purchase.

Five checks to make before you pay

A familiar logo or professional-looking website is easy to copy. These five checks will help you spot common warning signs before you make a payment or enter any personal information.

1. Check the website address

   Every domain name can only be registered once worldwide. This means scammers can't simply register the exact same address as an existing online store. Instead, they often use slightly modified versions, such as a swapped letter, an extra hyphen, or additions like "deals" or "outlet."

   The domain extension may also be different. For example, a familiar .ch address might be replaced with a similar-looking .de or .com address.

   Always compare the full website address, including the domain extension, with the store's official URL. Whenever possible, type familiar website addresses directly into your browser instead of clicking links in emails or advertising banners.

    

2. Check the SSL certificate

   An SSL certificate ensures that information such as passwords and payment details is transmitted securely through encryption. Depending on your browser, you may see "https://" at the beginning of the website address, a padlock icon, or a small settings icon. Clicking the icon will show you whether the connection is secure.

   Encryption is now standard for online stores. However, it doesn't necessarily mean a website is trustworthy, as fraudulent sites can also obtain SSL certificates.

   The rule of thumb: If your browser warns you about an insecure connection or displays a "Not secure" message, stop shopping immediately. A secure connection only meets the minimum technical requirement. You should still check the store against the other criteria.

    

3. Check the company information

   A legitimate online store is transparent about who's behind the business. Look for a company name, physical mailing address, email address, and phone number in the legal notice or contact information section.

   If this information is missing, proceed with caution. However, complete company details alone don't guarantee legitimacy, as scammers often copy information from real businesses.

   What matters is whether everything adds up. Search for the company name online. If you find an official company website with a different address from the store you're browsing, you may be looking at a fake copy.

   Another warning sign is a contact email address from a free provider such as Gmail or GMX rather than an address using the store's own domain.

    

4. Check customer reviews

   If you're unfamiliar with an online store, it's worth checking what other customers have experienced. Search for the store's name along with terms such as "reviews," "customer experiences," or "complaints."

   Focus on reviews published outside the store's own website, as on-site testimonials can easily be fabricated.

   If you find multiple recent complaints about orders never arriving or customer service being impossible to reach, consider it a warning sign.

   No reviews don't automatically mean a store is fraudulent. New businesses often start out without customer feedback. In these cases, pay especially close attention to the company's contact and business information.

    

5. Check the payment options

   Legitimate online stores typically offer several secure payment methods, such as payment by invoice, credit card, or TWINT.

   However, if a store only accepts advance payment by bank transfer, or payment methods advertised earlier suddenly disappear at checkout, take a closer look before proceeding.

   Be especially cautious if you're asked to send money via TWINT directly to an unfamiliar private phone number instead of paying through an official merchant account.

What if you have your own website?

The same things you check when shopping online are exactly what visitors look for on your website. Is your company information complete? Are your contact details easy to find? Is data transmitted securely?

But building a truly trustworthy website also means getting things right behind the scenes. Your website needs protection against cyberattacks, regular data backups, and the ability to recover quickly if something goes wrong.

That's why every Green web hosting package includes the following features:

• Free SSL certificate: An SSL certificate is an essential requirement for any modern website. It ensures that form submissions and messages are transmitted securely through encryption and enables your website to use HTTPS, indicated by "https://" and, depending on the browser, a padlock or settings icon. This helps prevent browsers from displaying security warnings that could drive visitors away.

   

• Professional email addresses that match your brand: Create unlimited email addresses using your own domain, such as info@STOP-SPAM.yourcompany.ch. This ensures your website and email addresses look consistent, making it easier for customers to recognize and trust your communications. Built-in spam and virus protection helps filter out unwanted and harmful messages. If needed, you can register a domain separately.

   

• Protection against cyberattacks: A firewall and protection against denial-of-service attacks help defend your website against cyber threats. Around-the-clock technical monitoring provides an additional layer of protection and helps keep your website running reliably.

   

• Free backups, available whenever you need them: We automatically back up your data every six hours and retain backups for 14 days. If something goes wrong, you can restore your website yourself using our self-service tools. Fast, simple, and hassle-free.

   

• Real support from Switzerland: Have questions about your hosting or email accounts? Our multilingual Green support team in Switzerland is here to help. No overseas call centers, just knowledgeable support from people who know their stuff.

   

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