Why Block by Region?
Region blocking provides more precision than country blocking:
Compliance Requirements
Some products can only be sold in certain states:
- Age-restricted products
- Regulated industries
- Licensing requirements
- State-specific laws
Fraud Hotspots
Fraud isn’t evenly distributed. Some regions have higher rates:
- Specific states or provinces
- Border regions
- Areas with high identity theft
Shipping Limitations
You might ship nationally but not to:
- Remote regions with expensive shipping
- Areas your carriers don’t serve
- Specific states with regulations
Targeted Attacks
If attacks consistently originate from specific regions, block those areas while keeping the broader country open.
How Region Blocking Works
- Visitor connects to your store
- IP geolocation determines not just country but region/state
- Rules checked against your region blocklist
- Action taken based on your configuration
Setting Up Region Blocks
Identify Problem Regions
Review your data for:
- High fraud rates by region
- Shipping issues by area
- Compliance requirements by state
Configure Blocks
In SecurEcommerce:
- Select the country
- Choose specific regions to block
- Set your custom message
Test and Verify
- Confirm blocks are working
- Check for unintended impacts
- Monitor customer feedback
Common Use Cases
US State Restrictions
- Cannabis-related products: Only certain states
- Alcohol: State-by-state regulations
- Firearms accessories: Varying state laws
- Supplements: Some states have restrictions
Canadian Province Restrictions
- Quebec language laws: Some products require French
- Provincial regulations: Varying by province
International Regions
- EU regions: Different regulations within countries
- Australian territories: Shipping cost variations
- Large countries: Target specific problem areas
Region Blocking vs Country Blocking
| Aspect | Region Blocking | Country Blocking |
|---|---|---|
| Precision | High | Low |
| Impact | Smaller | Larger |
| Use case | Compliance, targeted | Broad restrictions |
| Management | More complex | Simpler |
Best Practices
Document Your Reasons
For each blocked region, record:
- Why it’s blocked
- Legal/compliance basis if applicable
- Review date
Keep Updated
Regulations change. Review region blocks:
- When laws change
- When you update products
- At regular intervals
Communicate Clearly
Block messages should explain:
- That access is restricted for their region
- Why (if appropriate)
- Alternatives if any exist
Example:
“This product is not available in your state due to local regulations. Please contact us for more information about shipping alternatives.”
Precision and Accuracy
Region-level geolocation is less accurate than country-level:
- Most visitors are correctly identified
- Some edge cases near borders
- Mobile users may show incorrect regions
- VPN users bypass entirely
Consider this when setting strict compliance-based blocks. For legal requirements, additional verification at checkout may be needed.
Combining with Other Blocking
Region blocking works with:
- Country blocking: Allow country, block regions
- VPN blocking: Prevent region bypass
- IP blocking: Target specific IPs within regions
When Not to Use Region Blocking
- Speculation: Don’t block regions without data
- Minor issues: The precision may not be worth the complexity
- High-value regions: Be careful blocking profitable areas
- Variable accuracy: Don’t rely solely on region blocking for legal compliance