Your website is looking great, you have the product list at its best and you have registered the perfect domain name. All set to go! Until someone asks if your business will be secured with an SSL certificate. Here we have all you need to know about SSL certificates.
SSL – What Is It And How Does It Work?
SSL Stands for Secure Socket Layer. This allows small businesses to safely communicate with customers enabling them to buy and browse their products or services and pass on information online. Simply put, having an SSL makes a safe connection for these activities. Having an SSL certificate can be thought of as like having a huge protective shield when entering the world of online business. A SSL will protect your website and all visitors from digital bugs, worms and general web creatures that are lurking. Do not make the error of thinking your website is too small to be a target, most interceptions occur electronically and are not chosen by a person therefore any website can be a potential target. No site is too small to be hacked and a site with vulnerabilities is a great victim. A SSL certificate creates an encrypted connection between the server and your visitor’s browser. A process occurs behind the scenes between the web browser and web server without interrupting the browsing or shopping experience.
The Benefits
- Accepting Payments – Do you accept credit cards on your website? If so then you will need a merchant account which will usually require you to have an SSL certificate. This will ensure your customers are not at risk of having their details stolen while using your site.
- Protect Password Logins – If any of your website pages are password protected then you will definitely want to add a SSL certificate. This includes database-driven sites with an administrator login page. Sites that have multiple member logins create increased opportunities for hackers.
- Secure Web Forms – Some sites collect information rather than money. This could be for questionnaires or more basic information such as all client names, addresses and numbers etc. A SSL certificate will stop these forms being intercepted.
Ask yourself this question, would you do business with a website knowing your details and money could be at risk? The answer is obviously no! So do not give people this reason to avoid doing business with you.
