Guide to Better Business Bureaus (BBBs)

BBBs offer a long list of helpful programs and services for small business

By Daniel Kehrer

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There's a lot more to Better Business Bureaus (BBBs) than you may think. Most consumers and small businesses are familiar with local Better Business Bureaus, and the standards they set for local business membership. But the national BBB umbrella organization – the Council of Better Business Bureaus – has a broad range of programs and services that can benefit your business. Key areas where the BBB can help include:

Advice and programs on ethnical business practices and advertising
Online reliability and privacy certification for your Web site
Services to help resolve disputes between you and your customers
Establishing privacy policies for your business

Business.com's "What Works for Business" blog is a great way to keep up with the latest solutions, trends and strategies for small and medium business.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

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.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

The Better Business Bureau promotes voluntary industry compliance with truthful and accurate advertising through local, regional and national advertising review programs. Business owners and managers are encouraged to make certain that their advertising claims are not deceptive or misleading.
Bring your highest sense of ethics to your business and lead by example. Demonstrate high ethical standards of behavior toward your customers, suppliers, shareholders, employees and communities in which you do business. Be honest in all your dealings.
Develop an ethics policy. Make certain that your policy starts at the top level so that company management sets an important example for all employees. Set up training programs that will assist employees in carrying out established ethics policies. Although an ethics policy may not stop unethical behavior, it may give people something to think about and provide a measurement against which to assess their behavior.
Establish an internal communication system that allows employees to express concerns directly to top management if they suspect wrongdoing or are uncomfortable with current practices. Consider appointing an ombudsman.
Treat your employees with respect and fairness and reward them for ethical decision making and actions.
Meet with your accounting staff to reinforce the highest reporting and accounting standards and expectations. When the line between doing what is right and what is legal is not clear, move back to what you know is right.
Know what is going on in your company. Routinely walk around and talk to your employees directly. Get a feel for what they are doing. Be accessible and interested.

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