Any online business that requires financial transactions needs to have an SSL certificate. Websites that handle confidential materials and information also require SSL certification to prevent user fraud, theft, and to protect login details. To use an SSL, your server will need to have a Secure Certificate, an IP dedicated address, and your customers will need to use an up-to-date browser (i.e. Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, or Google Chrome). Aside from these basics facts, there are other things you need to know about SSL/Secure Certificates.
Ecommerce Requires a Secure Certificate
Secure Certificates help to ensure website safety through the inscription of communications between the server and the web user. Credit Card transactions, transmission of account numbers, and the sharing of personal information (i.e. card details, birthdates, and Social Security numbers) cannot occur without a Secure Certificate. Anytime transactions are made through a credit-card association, your ecommerce business must meet site PCI compliance regulations.
The Differences between Shared and Private Certificates
It is possible to obtain certificates which allow web-hosts to provide customers with shared SSL encryption. The downside of a shared certificate is that isn’t tied to your own domain name, therefore you need to include the name of the server in the URL. Whenever you attempt to enter your own domain name you can expect to receive a warning on the browser stating that the name does not match the certificate’s domain name. A shared certificate is suitable for logins on websites that aren’t intended for public use (i.e. student access on academic sites). However, a shared certificate is not the best choice for an online business because the majority of customers will want to see that the domain has a personal SSL Certificate.
When a Dedicated IP Address is Necessary
Your private Secure Certificate will require a unique IP address. You can compare all SSL certificates from Thawte. When you order an SSL certificate, the dedicated IP address can be attached automatically to your account, unless your site already contains a dedicated-address.
Customer Confidence and Domain Validated Certificates
When visitors access secure information on your ecommerce site, whether to make a purchase or exchange information, you will want to have a private certificate in place that is tied to your business domain name. The SSL will assure your customers that they have accessed the right site and they won’t be subjected to browser warnings. Your customers will be able to see that their shopping cart provides security before submitting card details. Without this, you can expect to lose potential customers.
SSL Certificate Renewal
Most SSL certificates include a one year expiration date, although it is possible to purchase certificates with multiple-year contracts. There are several good resources to get started with SSL certificates. It is important to note that it’s necessary to renew a certificate prior to its expiration date.
Your online business is not complete without SSL. Security Certificates are not all the same. Research available options and find the SSL Certificate that will meet your unique eCommerce requirements while satisfying your customer’s needs.
