The VeriSign Trust Seal program, says the company, has been created specifically for those firms – usually at the smaller end of the e-commerce market – that do not require the vendor's SSL service and trust mark because they outsource transactions to a third party.

According to a company spokesperson, those organisations that buy the service will be able to display VeriSign's familiar checkmark logo alongside the words 'VeriSign Trusted,' and will therefore attract customers by showing that they are not a scam or phishing site.

With the Trust Seal, VeriSign says it is promoting a safer internet by proactively identifying those sites that compromise consumer safety.

Ray Boggs, IDC's vice president of SMB research, said that reputation is vital to the success of the growing number of small-to-medium-sized business competing in the online marketplace.

"Trust is a key component for protecting brand reputation and increasing consumer confidence", he said.

"VeriSign's brand recognition will extend to the new Trust Seal to help small and medium-sized businesses communicate trust and safety to customers and prospects", he added.

Plans call for the Trust Seal to be available to North American websites from next week onwards at $299 for a one-year license.

The new seal will also be available through VeriSign's UK and European reseller partners later this year.