Guide to Better Business Bureaus (BBBs)

Check out BBB reports

There are BBB Reliability Reports on 2.5 million organizations, including both businesses and charities.

I recommend: Look for reliability reports on businesses or charities nationwide.

See what local BBBs have to offer

Local BBBs across the US & Canada serve businesses and consumers in their areas.

I recommend: Use the BBB locator to find a Bureau in your area.

Resolve customer disputes with Better Business Bureau solutions

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) helps resolve business disputes with common sense alternatives to expensive and time-consuming legal actions.

I recommend: BBB Dispute Resolution programs are run through local BBBs, under the direction of the group's national umbrella organization, the Council of Better Business Bureaus. BBB offers several levels of help, from informal dispute settlement advice and services, to more structured mediation and arbitration. BBB Care is designed to help small businesses and their customers resolve problems quickly and inexpensively without involving attorneys.

Establish privacy policies and protection with BBB help

BBB offers excellent information on protecting your privacy as a business owner, and also establishing policies to protect privacy of your customers.

I recommend: The Better Business Bureau's excellent service Understanding Privacy is available free at the BBB Web site. It offers great tips on protecting privacy, for individuals and businesses alike, both online and off. The consumer toolbox has good advice and the Privacy Manager's Resource Center can help you create a privacy policy for your own business. The ID Theft section is also very useful.

Plug into BBB standards of practice

The BBB system has a range of programs and services to promote ethical business conduct. These include voluntary standards and codes of practice, dispute resolution processes, and information and education programs that touch millions of consumers and businesses each year.

I recommend: Check BBB standards for advertising, online business practices, online privacy, charitable solicitation and children's advertising. There's also a helpful list of business ethics tips.

Get an online reliability badge

The BBB Online program promotes trust and confidence in the Internet.

I recommend: Check reliability program requirements and apply online for BBB Online Reliability and Privacy Sales.