While that helps businesses make more sales, it is starting to bother a lot of customers. As one Internet shopper said, it's like walking through a department store with an employee sneaking around behind you.

A recent study showed many customers will not place a purchase if the web site does not have their privacy policy clearly displayed.

If you don't place cookies on your customer's computer (many big sites do), state it in your privacy policy.

If you don't have time to dote on each customers statistics, say so in your privacy policy.

Be sure to tell customers about your secure ordering process. If you enter credit card orders by hand, put it in your policy. Shoppers feel better when they know a real human is handling their order. Include a phone number where customers can reach you. Also include a regular mailing address.