How do I know an online business is legit?

11 Ways to Check if a Website is Legit or Trying to Scam You

  1. 1 | Carefully Look at the Address Bar and URL.
  2. 2 | Check the Contact Page.
  3. 3 | Review the Company’s Social Media Presence.
  4. 4 | Double Check the Domain Name.
  5. 5 | Look Up the Domain Age.
  6. 6 | Watch for Poor Grammar and Spelling.
  7. 7 | Verify the Website Privacy Policy.

What of online reviews are fake?

Online reviews have become an everyday part of shopping, with more than 9 in 10 Americans saying they check them before making a purchase. As for how many are bogus, estimates range from 4% to 39%.

How do you tell if a company is incentivising fake reviews?

How to Spot Fake Testimonials and Reviews

  1. Compare Reviews. Always be sure to look at more than one source.
  2. Read the Reviews More Than the Ratings. You should always read the reviews as opposed to just looking at the number of stars given and moving on.
  3. Follow Trends, But Be Open.
  4. Assess the Reviewers.

Should I trust online reviews?

Do Customers Always Trust Reviews? Of course not. Some reviews are unreasonable, undetailed or fake. Although 91 percent of people trust reviews as much as personal recommendations, nine percent of people are pretty skeptical about online reviews and only trust a few reviews.

Can people buy fake reviews?

While fake reviews are illegal, law enforcement has done little to crack down on companies that buy and sell fraudulent reviews. Prosecution is nearly non-existent, which means companies can enjoy the benefit of fake reviews to help drive their business without worrying about risk.

Is leaving a fake review illegal?

Section 5 of the FTC Act 15 U.S. Code ยง 45 makes fake testimonials illegal. The FTC considers your review to be fake if it is not based on the experience of a real customer.

Do businesses pay for fake reviews?

Paid Reviews Are a Legal Liability The Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, is a consumer watchdog. One of its roles is to rid the marketplace of unfair or deceptive marketing. If it identifies your business as one that actively pays for reviews, it has the capacity to take you to court and issue fines.