In this article, we\u2019ll explain everything a VPN can do for your eCommerce business. If you\u2019re convinced — or you just want to see what\u2019s on offer — check out this curated list of the best VPNs on the market by PrivacyJournal<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A VPN, or virtual private network, is a piece of software connected to a global network of servers. Using the software on a desktop computer or mobile device, you can connect to a server in the network, and then use the internet with that server as your home server. Once you connect, all your traffic is encrypted with a strong cipher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The result: not only can nobody see what you\u2019re doing online, but you can claim an IP address anywhere in the world. You can foil surveillance, protect against doxxing, and circumvent geographic content blocks all at once. This convenience has caused a massive boom in VPN usage (see these VPN statistics<\/a> to learn more).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before we start, note that a VPN can\u2019t protect you against all the dangers you\u2019ll face as an eCommerce business owner. It can\u2019t do anything about sellers who sent fraudulent payments, for example or request frivolous chargebacks. Though a VPN can still do more than enough to pay for itself, we recommend checking out some other security threats and solutions<\/a> to be safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A VPN is as versatile as a Swiss army knife for eCommerce entrepreneurs. Here are 8 things you\u2019ll be able to do once you subscribe to a VPN service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This one goes for everybody who spends time online, not just eCommerce business owners. You expose a lot about yourself when you use the internet. Your IP address<\/a> alone can be used to determine your physical location, even if you only use HTTPS pages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Internet service providers (ISPs) can also see your whole browsing history (you can tell because they use it to target those ads that know way too much about you). When you connect to a VPN, all that data is encrypted and shielded. Your ISP can\u2019t see what sites you visit, and nobody can see your real IP address. A VPN keeps your eCommerce business just that — your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While building your eCommerce store, you\u2019ll spend a lot of time communicating with customers — setting up sales, answering questions, settling complaints, and so on. These people are the backbone of your business, but they\u2019re also mostly strangers, so it pays to adopt a \u201ctrust but verify\u201d attitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You already know not to give up sensitive information to someone you only know online. However, if a tech-savvy customer is looking to exploit you, they may be able to follow a trail of breadcrumbs to spy on your IP address and activity. A VPN keeps you safe from those few bad apples so you can focus on building rewarding customer relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a business owner, you need to be able to work whenever the job requires. That often means using unsecured WiFi networks in restaurants, cafes, hotels, or airports. \u201cUnsecured public WiFi\u201d means any network that doesn\u2019t require a password to log in, or where the password is posted for everyone to see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These public networks are prime locations for man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks, a common assault where a hacker hijacks your connection to a legitimate destination. Hackers can set up fake-but-believable public networks, or monitor communications on real ones without security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n By watching your activity, they can steal your account credentials, your banking information, and even access to your eCommerce business. From there, it\u2019s easy to steal your money by posing as you. But a VPN stops them in their tracks: if your communication is encrypted, MITM attacks will only serve up useless gibberish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you store information for your business offline, such as on a computer hard drive, you may find yourself needing data for a customer but not having access to the device where it\u2019s stored. You can save a lot of headaches in these situations by using an app for remote desktop access. This software lets you use an authorized computer as though you had it in front of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, a connection between two devices creates a vulnerability for hackers, who could piggyback on it to spy on your activity. Using a VPN for remote desktop access cuts criminals out of the loop. You can even pick a service like NordVPN that turns personal computers into temporary VPN servers (this NordVPN review<\/a> explains exactly how it works).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Remote access gets more useful the more your business grows. If everything goes well, you may end up with storage in multiple countries and branches serving more than one continent. It\u2019s crucial to have a secure communication system set up before you get to the point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Readers who already know something about VPNs may be aware that you can use them to check out streaming libraries in foreign countries. It\u2019s an easy trick: just get an IP address in the country, then log onto Netflix or another streaming site to see a different selection of shows and movies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What you may not know is that this trick can also help your eCommerce business. Suppose you\u2019re looking for the lowest-cost supplier for a specialty good. Plenty of sources that could help you save a huge amount of money — and pocket the difference – are inaccessible due to government restrictions on commerce across borders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can get around these walls by using a VPN to pretend to be in a country with access. If you\u2019re in the United States but your best cheap source is in China, just connect to a VPN with a China server and shop as though you were there. The more expansive the VPN server network, the more places you can search for deals (and this ExpressVPN review<\/a> talks about a great network to start with).<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s not just low-cost suppliers you can search for, either. You can use a VPN to get an accurate picture of what your direct competitors are charging, then change your prices to compete in the same markets as them. This is a crucial strategy to master when selling your products internationally<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\nWhat Is A VPN?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
8 Benefits of Using a VPN for eCommerce<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Protect Your Browsing Data<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Communicate Securely With Customers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Use Public WiFi Safely<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Secure Remote Desktop Access<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Get Around Geographic Restrictions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
6. Research the Opposition<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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