Ratings Explained
SafeDirectory.co.uk rates each store professionally between 1 and 5, where 1 is the weakest and 5 is the strongest.
Please note however that due to the high standard of merchants offered by SafeDirectory.co.uk, lower rated stores will
still offer sufficient security and services. We only include online merchants who meet the basic requirements of
security and service and will not list any merchant who we consider to be substandard.
Our grading system will compare each merchant against a 20 point system which includes the following:
Our grading system will compare each merchant against a 20 point system which includes the following:
Contact DetailsContent PresentationContinuously updated content/productsCross Browser SupportData protectionDelivery ServiceFAQ /InformationImage/Information QualityLayout/NavigationOrder History |
Physical AddressProduct PricesProduct RangeRelevance to customer needsReputationReturns PolicySecure PaymentService SupportShopping BasketUsability |
When we rate each site, the specified criteria is compared and assessed specifically to the product category. Therefore it is possible for one merchant to be listed in more than one product section, but each rating maybe different as their product range may not be as focused for the specific category. Please note that not all stores can include the above criteria due to their nature, e.g. an insurance provider would not require a shopping basket and as such this is considered in their rating.
(Exceptional Standard)
This rating will only be given to stores who are considered to be leaders in their product field. The merchant would more than satisfy the criteria required and will be a dedicated supplier for the selected product category. The merchants website structure, service, and product range are considered to be of an extremely high standard throughout!
(Very High Standard)
This rating will only be given to stores who are considered to be very good suppliers or offer a very high standard of service. Such merchants would all be considered to more than satisfy our criteria, and offer a high service standard and product range.
(High Standard)
This rating will only be given to stores who would satisfy the required the essential assessment criteria. Such criteria would include good product range, service and security. Such merchants may lose points from a 4/5 padlock rating simply due to a lack of additional features which in no way affect their quality, but may simply be that they do not offer many additional shopping features at this time e.g. order history, browser compatibility etc.
(Good)
A store with this rating will be considered to have the basic features required associated with their specified product range. Such stores will have high security and will meet all the fundamental requirements such as contact address/details. Such merchants may lose points from a 3/4 padlock rating simply due to the lack of products offered or if their products do not contain sufficient details. However as with all the stores listed they will have high standards of security and service.
(Average)
A store with this rating will be considered to be a recognised supplier of a specific product range. Please note as we don’t list any what we would consider to be substandard merchants, sites with a 1 padlock rating, are still considered to be of a sufficient standard and satisfy all our security and service requirements. Often merchants with this rating could be large organisations who have newly merged into this shopping category and are awaiting further development as demand increases.
Please note we continuously assess our listed merchants and therefore a merchant rating can change over time as the merchant develops.
Ratings Explained
(Exceptional Standard)
This rating will only be given to stores who are considered to be leaders in their product field. The merchant would more than satisfy the criteria required and will be a dedicated supplier for the selected product category. The merchants website structure, service, and product range are considered to be of an extremely high standard throughout!
(Very High Standard)
This rating will only be given to stores who are considered to be very good suppliers or offer a very high standard of service. Such merchants would all be considered to more than satisfy our criteria, and offer a high service standard and product range.
(High Standard)
This rating will only be given to stores who would satisfy the required the essential assessment criteria. Such criteria would include good product range, service and security. Such merchants may lose points from a 4/5 padlock rating simply due to a lack of additional features which in no way affect their quality, but may simply be that they do not offer many additional shopping features at this time e.g. order history, browser compatibility etc.
(Good)
A store with this rating will be considered to have the basic features required associated with their specified product range. Such stores will have high security and will meet all the fundamental requirements such as contact address/details. Such merchants may lose points from a 3/4 padlock rating simply due to the lack of products offered or if their products do not contain sufficient details. However as with all the stores listed they will have high standards of security and service.
(Average)
A store with this rating will be considered to be a recognised supplier of a specific product range. Please note as we don’t list any what we would consider to be substandard merchants, sites with a 1 padlock rating, are still considered to be of a sufficient standard and satisfy all our security and service requirements. Often merchants with this rating could be large organisations who have newly merged into this shopping category and are awaiting further development as demand increases.
Please note we continuously assess our listed merchants and therefore a merchant rating can change over time as the merchant develops.
