Installing an SSL certificate is among the most crucial actions for business owners selling e-commerce. It builds confidence and allows customers to access your site without flashing messages on their screens.
SSL certificates aren’t just used for websites that handle financial transactions. Any website that stores user information in one way or another must use SSL certificates to secure data.
What is an SSL certificate
SSL is the abbreviation for secure sockets layers, an encryption technology that helps keep sensitive information from web servers and browsers private and secure.
SSL could also be referred to as the transportation layer security protocol. These protocols depend on certificates that assure the user regarding the authenticity of the website they communicate with.
When you enable SSL, your website will now use the HTTPS protocol instead of HTTP, and you’ll notice a padlock on your website address in your browser to indicate that it’s safe.
How SSL Certificates Work
SSL certificates can be difficult to comprehend because of all the technical terms and acronyms. For a quick but precise description of the way SSL certificates function, Let’s suppose that our acquaintance Michelle is on her preferred site, hubspot.com.
Verification
In the beginning, Michelle opened her laptop and typed “hubspot.com” into her web browser, Google Chrome. As Google Chrome is loading the site, Michelle’s laptop receives HubSpot’s SSL certificate via the public key and validates it by contacting the authority that certifies certificates.
Handshake
Michelle’s computer and HubSpot’s server agree that everything is authentic and that the two computers create a connection known as the handshake.
Encryption
From here, Michelle’s laptop computer and the hubspot.com server determine the kind of encryption they’ll employ to secure data transmission between them. The key to ensuring the security of this connection is the decoding and coding of information as it travels between the server and computer. Security threats can occur when information is moved from one location to another, and making it a scrambled encrypted language, also known as a private key, ensures that everything is secure until it is in the location it’s needed to be.
Authentication
When Michelle’s computer encrypts the data with the private key, The lock icon is displayed next to the site’s name in the search bar.
Michelle can browse hubspot.com and be assured that any information she divulges is safe and will not be accessed by malicious hackers.
Different Types of eCommerce SSL Certificates
SSL certificates are available in various types that have different functions. Learn more about the different types of SSL certificates available on the market.
1. Domain Validated (DV) SSL Certificate
A domain-validated SSL certificate gives a lower amount of security for the website. It’s useful for business websites, blogs, and websites that don’t keep any data. Domain-level certificates require confirmation of the website’s authenticity via email or telephone calls to the site owner. The SSL certificate can be the cheapest and fastest to get. It’s a cost-effective alternative for those looking to have an HTTPS padlock and layer for their website. The benefits of acquiring the DV SSL could be anything from having more search engine rankings and being an authority within the field or business.
2. Organization Validated (OV) SSL Certificate
The OV SSL certificates secure the information of the user during transactions. It has a higher level of secure SSL encryption than DV SSL. It also shows business information in addition to the information for the website inside the certificate. OV SSL is a way to discern secure websites from fraudulent websites. All businesses must acquire an O-level SSL certificate. Before the issuance of an OV SSL certificate, the certificate authority will investigate the company to determine who is the legitimate owner of the company and the website. They may request documents related to business, bank statements, and domain information from the company that issued the certificate. After the business details are acquired, the certificate will appear in the browser’s address bar.
3. Extended Validated (EV) SSL Certificate
Extended Validation (EV) SSL certificates are the most suitable for online stores. This is because they have a thorough verification process which is why these certificates include the green padlock and HTTPS protocol before the site’s name.
Benefits of an SSL certificate for eCommerce website
If a user visits websites that do not have SSL and other encryption for data protection, the user could be alerted and warned to warn users that the site is not secure. Websites that are not secure are susceptible to cyber-attacks and other threats. This will deter any person from browsing or even conducting transactions on the site.
When you have an online store, security is of primary importance since your clients need to trust you, and the assurance that you’ll protect their personal and financial data is safe. Here’s a list of advantages that come with an SSL certificate for websites that sell products online:
Secure payment
If you’re an online store, you’ll most likely accept various payment methods, such as credit card transactions. These are sensitive data, and whether you’ve integrated a payment system on your website or directed customers to a third-party platform, an SSL certificate can protect your customer’s information. It also assures the customer that you’re a reliable online retailer that guarantees that your customer’s data isn’t stolen or vulnerable to attacks.
Password secured
The majority of e-commerce sites want to create a loyal client base by offering the use of memberships or accounts with exclusivity. Therefore, customers need to set up password-secured accounts so they can shop at your store. The ease of use and the password-protected logins also provide more opportunities for hackers to steal data. However, an SSL certificate will ensure password-protected logins and reduces the risk of being attacked.
Data collection
The websites that sell products don’t just gather financial data but also collect preferences and personal details to provide them with better service. These could be feedback forms, questionnaires, or other online forms to give customers a customized shopping experience. Security of this personal data is also crucial, and an SSL certificate can help you to keep this crucial data safe.
Google SEO Rankings
In 2014, Google announced that sites with SSL certification and HTTPS have some slight advantages in search engine rankings compared to HTTP websites. Although the improvement in rankings for SEO may not be a huge amount, it does highlight the necessity of keeping your online store SSL safe. In addition, this suggests that your competition will likely do the same, and you need to keep up with them.
Best website to get SSL certificates for your eCommerce site
1. Bluehost
All Bluehost hosting package comes with a no-cost SSL certificate.
In terms of technicality, you’ll indeed have to pay for something. However, you don’t need to purchase the SSL certificate. It is essential to have a web hosting for your site to function. So it’s logical to choose aa hosting service that offers freebies like this. Alongside the no-cost SSL certification, Bluehost will also give you a no-cost domain for the initial year of your membership.
Bluehost is a great option for new and established websites looking to change web hosting providers.
2. Sectigo – Trusted by Globally Leading Brands
The most trusted digital identity provider, with SSL/TLS, certificates IoT, and enterprise-grade PKI management, we have multi-layered security for the web that has been in operation for over two decades.
At present, Sectigo is currently serving over 700,000 customers who are active and expanding. With more than two years of trust on the internet, Sectigo is partnered with large and small-sized organizations to provide automated private and public PKI solutions for securing user access to applications, connected devices, Web servers, etc.
3. Wix
Each Wix plan includes a no-cost SSL certificate. You can therefore rest at ease knowing that your website is secure and that you do not need to go through any additional procedures.
To get a comprehensive solution for creating your site and obtaining an affordable SSL certificate, look at Wix.
4. Cloudflare SSL
Cloudflare can often be called a Content Delivery Network (CDN). Additionally, it offers other options, such as the capability to fight attacks by brute force, block malicious traffic, and more.
Besides, Cloudflare also has a single-click SSL feature that allows you to deliver your content using HTTPS rather than the less secure HTTP protocol. It is essential to redirect traffic to your website through Cloudflare and enable the SSL feature. This is what you need to do; your site will be able to serve web pages using SSL.
5. cPanel AutoSSL
cPanel AutoSSL is an element included in the cPanel web hosting control panel software. It is an automated SSL option that provides no-cost SSL certificates to all websites controlled by the cPanel.
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