Today’s Topics

The most frequent answer I give, to the most frequently asked question, about what I do is “computers”.

For me, trying to answer the question in less than two minutes any other way, is just too much kissing (aka Keep It Simple Stupid + ing).

So then, the next logical question for me to ask you is, “"What is the problem?”.

To me, if there is no problem, then no solution is needed.


The most relevant business situation under research for me today is site policies for Internet business site policies.

More specifically site policies for people operating a very small business. It seems that an Internet business site without an acceptable site policy can seriously jeopardize any Internet business, as well as a business site owners personal life, for not acting responsibly when doing Internet business.

Sometime after the Internet was born as a first communications medium, it was used by government agencies as a form of communications. In time, the Internet platform was surrendered to the general public as a somewhat open environment for personal and business use. The rules for use of the platform were pretty much open in the beginning for people to almost do whatever they wanted. Of course, since the platform was so open in the beginning, unfortunately there have been many incidents of problems and abuse that have come with the new, virgin territory.

Fortunately over time, rules for standards and accepted practices have been reviewed and implemented by people using the Internet for business and personal reasons. Also fortunately, governments have been monitoring and participating with business interests to develop, create and adhere to best business practices for the use of personal Internet sites and business Internet sites.

Today, reputable Internet businesses ascribe to providing essential and acceptable practices and openly publishing that information for all members and visitors of the sites.

If you are currently seeking information for your own site privacy policy, the following sites may be helpful in doing your research.

http://www.ftc.gov

http://www.the-dma.org/privacy/privacypolicygenerator.shtml

Is a site privacy policy necessary for every Internet site?

A privacy policy is good for a site visitor and the overall site itself because it raises the bar a little, as far as setting a higher standard for conducting business on the Internet.

If you are going to conduct any business on-line, it is definitely a good a idea to publish a site privacy policy page, especially if your site interacts with potential and current customers in a number of ways.

For most very small businesses, publishing an Internet site that contains information about the business and contact information, similar to a brochure on the business, is essential, so potential customers can contact you. Adding a very basic site privacy policy page to the site is always recommended, since not having and displaying an acceptable site privacy policy could possibly be a detriment to the site, as well as the business.

Is a site privacy policy important for an Internet business site that uses third party advertising?

It is now extremely important, since ad companies are now implementing what is referred to as ‘interest-based advertising’. Sites that are not notifying site visitors of specific pieces of required information, through a privacy policy page, may be jeopardizing their overall site exposure for business.