If you are wondering if you need a SSL certificate on your website, the chances are you do. If your website is an e-commerce site, then again that answer is YES. If you own a web site that uses credit cards as a payment option, then again the answer is yes to needing an SSL certificate. It is imperative that you protect your customer’s sensitive information and having a SSL certificate can help.

When you have an SSL certificate, it will help guard your customers from crimes like identity theft.

What is SSL?

SSL is referred to as "Secure Sockets Layer". It is a protocol designed to transmit information back and forth from one server on the internet to another securely. An SSL certificate ensures online shoppers that their personal information is kept confidential when making online purchases.

Below are a few benefits to having SSL to protect your website:

Customer Confidence & Trust: This is one of the most important features of an SSL certificate. By having a SSL you’re telling your customers that you are taking the necessary precautions to protect their private information. Computer savvy online shoppers will completely avoid a website if they can tell it doesn’t encrypt transactions using SSL. Online retailers who avoid having an SSL certificate are putting their business in jeopardy and their customer’s security in jeopardy.

Server authentication: SSL protects both the customer and the seller. Every server must have an SSL certificate. Basically a server is another term used for a computer that stores data about your website for your customers to view. The SSL basically provides these digital certificates and is capable of reading them. An SSL certificate comes from a reliable third party that provides encryption. The actual SSL certificate is proof that your server is who it claims to be, so-to-speak.

PCC (Private Communication Capability): SSL protection ensures your conversions are made private. The encryption that’s used by the SSL converts important data, such as street addresses, credit card information, bank account numbers and other sensitive data into tiny bits of information that’s unusable. It’s sort of like a virtual scrambler. When a criminal tries to retrieve a person’s credit card information, it appears in mixed up characters.

How do you get an SSL Certificate?

When shopping around for SSL certificates, it is important to make certain that you choose a company that will provide you with an "authentic" SSL certificate. A trustworthy web design company like Flying Cow Design, can provides authentic SSL Certificate installation for clients.

Although there is no surefire way of protecting all information from criminals in any type of business transaction (online or offline), SSL protection greatly reduces theft and identity fraud, thus letting your customers know you have taken every precaution you can to ensure their safety.