Though dedicated business websites are pretty much the standard for practically any business venture, it’s still quite common for entrepreneurs to begin running their businesses without websites, especially if they’re still just testing the waters. However, even without a digital property to their name, an entrepreneur must recognize that the responsibility for securing payments and protecting sensitive customer data still falls on them.

In an era where cybercrime is a growing concern, it’s a must for a businessperson to take proactive measures to safeguard their customers’ transactions and personal information. This is, of course, essential for building trust and ensuring business success across present and future platforms.

Fortunately, there are plenty of practical solutions you can adopt to help fortify your business’s payment system and data security, even if you have yet to launch a business website. Let’s take a look at some of the approaches you should try while you’re still in the process of building your site:

Payment links are unique URLs that allow customers to securely pay for products or services. These links are typically generated by payment processors and can be sent to customers via their preferred messaging apps, social media platforms, and even their emails.

Using secure payment links ensures that the transaction process is encrypted, preventing unauthorized access to sensitive data. In addition, these links are typically easy to manage, which will further streamline the payment process for your customers.

When choosing a payment link provider, you’ll want to verify that your provider employs up-to-the-minute encryption protocols that will sufficiently protect your customers’ transaction details. Maya Business, for instance, has Maya Payment Links, which is a payment link system that uses HTTPS, indicating a secure connection.

This link payment solution also meets the strict Payment Card Industry-Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS), which means that it adheres to industry-recognized guidelines for securely processing, storing, and transmitting credit card information should your customers want to pay with their cards. What’s more, it uses an array of cutting-edge security and privacy technologies, which will protect both your business and your customers from data breaches and fraud during transactions.

Digital wallets have become a popular and secure way to handle payments, offering a seamless and contactless experience for both businesses and customers. They allow users to store payment information securely on their smartphones or other devices, which can then be used to make payments with just a tap or scan.

One standout feature some digital wallets have is their use of QR code payments for rapid transactions. With this method, you can generate a unique QR code for your business, which you can send to your customers via email, messaging apps, or social media. Your customers can then use their preferred digital wallets’ QR code scan feature to complete the payment almost instantly.

Apart from adding convenience to transactions, this process also ensures secure payments. This is because QR codes only encode secure payment data or links, not sensitive financial details. The encrypted payment data is processed through the digital wallet’s secure system, thus reducing the risk of interception or fraud. This makes QR code payments a highly reliable method for modern transactions—even those that take place off-page.

When communicating via email or messaging apps, it's important for you to guarantee to your customers that the communication channels you’re using are secure from potential cyber threats. Unsecured platforms can expose sensitive customer information to hackers or malicious actors who can intercept and manipulate data, leading to identity theft or unauthorized access to personal accounts. This, in turn, could put both your business and your customers at a significant risk, which may result in financial losses, reputational damage, legal consequences, or a dangerous mix of any of these.

If you don’t have a website yet, direct your customers to communication platforms that implement strong security measures like end-to-end encryption and secure socket layer (SSL) protocols. This way, your messages will be securely transmitted and only accessible to the intended recipient. As a result, you’ll be able to minimize the risk of data leaks and build trust with your customers, assuring them that their personal and payment information is always being handled responsibly.

Whether you’re using a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or computer to handle transactions, it's important to ensure that all of your devices are protected with reliable security measures to prevent unauthorized access. Start by using up-to-date antivirus software and firewalls to protect against malware, viruses, and other types of cyberattacks. Next, enable strong password protection for all devices, as well as biometric authentication methods such as fingerprint or facial recognition if your device allows.

If multiple employees are using devices to handle payments, make sure that each device is equipped with its own password protection and has restricted access to sensitive data. Furthermore, regularly update your operating system and software to patch any vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers. Strong security practices on your devices can significantly reduce the likelihood of data breaches and help maintain the security of your payment processes.

One of the most important steps you can take to protect your customers’ data is to avoid storing sensitive information, such as credit card numbers or personal identification details, on your business devices or systems. Doing so increases the risk of a breach and targeting from cybercriminals.

Instead of storing payment details locally, use secure, third-party payment processors that will handle sensitive information on your behalf. These processors are equipped with advanced encryption technologies and adhere to industry regulations that you’ll want to follow with regard to your customers’ data storage.

It's also a good practice to store only the minimum amount of information necessary, regularly purging any data that is no longer required. Adopting a “data minimization” approach limits the amount of sensitive information at risk, which in turn helps safeguard both your business and your customers.

Operating without a website means that some of your business capabilities will be limited, and you’ll definitely want to invest in your own web property down the line. But before you do so, remember that you shouldn’t compromise on payment and data security. Find the most practical ways to protect your customers and your business’s developing payment systems, and managing your payments and finances will become like second nature once your business website is up and running.