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by Maria Dicousta, Guest Contributor
In today’s digital age, starting an e-commerce enterprise is one of the best ways to generate higher returns on investment and achieve success. While most business owners invest a lot of time and other resources in planning the appearance of the interface, security is often overlooked by them or not given the necessary attention. Some of them even feel that hiring an SSL certificate service provider is a waste of money which can prove to be a very costly mistake. Here we are providing some valuable information about the importance of these safety measures for e-commerce operators which will encourage them to engage SSL certificate providers. |
What Is An SSL Certificate?
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is a protocol which ensures encryption of the communication between a website and an internet browser. The SSL certificates are digital certificates which when installed provide an encrypted connection between the client and the server through a symmetric key and help in safeguarding all the information that is being transferred on the internet. An amateur can easily spot an SSL certificate secured website by checking the address bar of the browser where “https” instead of usual “http” in the URL signifies the presence of the security measure.
Any web page which requires the user to submit sensitive personal information like username, passwords or credit card details must be secured by installing these protocols. It is essential for the end-user to have trust in the interface that he/she is visiting and an absence of SSL certificates will raise doubts as to whether the website can ensure the security of all critical data from malicious elements. Let’s take an in-depth look at why these tools are necessary for e-commerce businesses.
Why Do E-commerce Websites Need SSL Certificates?
E-commerce websites must never discount the importance of SSL certificates in their success as the rising number of cyber crimes has made people alert and aware about the necessity of keeping their personal information safe in the digital world. An online store witnesses numerous financial transactions and stores a large volume of sensitive customer information that needs to be provided round the clock protection. The two main reasons for which such enterprises need SSL certificates are the following :
1. Ensuring Security Of Information
The primary objective behind investing in an SSL certificate for a virtual store is to ensure security for all important information that is stored in its database. Financial transactions are the backbone of an e-commerce venture and require the transfer of personal data like names, postal addresses, bank details or particulars of any other payment instrument. It is the duty of the enterprise to provide complete security to a client and safeguard all his/her information from security breaches.
2. Establishing Trust Among Customers
As mentioned earlier, customers have become more aware of cyber security threats and will not visit an unsecured online store. An SSL certificate will establish trust among the potential clients and inspire confidence among buyers to make purchases from the website. This is essential for the growth of the enterprise as this security measure can lead to the rise of a substantial user base that will help sustain the organization.
Let’s now understand how these protocols help an online business.
How Do SSL Certificates Help E-commerce Enterprises?
Engaging an SSl certificate service provider is mandatory for all online merchants as it will help them in the following manner :
1. Encryption Of All Transactions
An online store requires its users to make payment for their purchases through electronic methods like credit cards or online bank transfer. The SSL certificate provides complete encryption of all such transactions and ensures the protection of all information as it traverses the internet between the client’s browser and the website’s servers.
2. Authentication Of Both Parties
It is also important for both the parties- the portal as well as the client to establish each other’s authenticity in order to move ahead with a transaction. What if a login form is used by a third party to impersonate a client and log on to the website or if a hacker tries to breach the communication to access sensitive customer information. All these scenarios can be prevented from happening by incorporating the SSL certificate in all the relevant pages.
3. Helpful In Meeting Compliance Requirements
The rising concerns about the privacy and protection of personal information have led to the framing of regulations in all major jurisdictions, the most notable among them being General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union. While GDPR does not explicitly state that enterprises must install SSL certificates, they make organizations liable for safeguarding all data which means it will always be sensible to incorporate the feature in the online store.
4. Building Image Of The Brand
Every business owner knows the importance of building a brand and an SSL certificate can prove advantageous in this aspect too. It will help the organization build up the image as a dependable and safe platform which can be used by customers without any security concerns.
5. Assists In SEO
Installing SSL certificates will also be helpful in Search Engine Optimization (SEO) of the venture as Google has officially stated that it uses the presence of such instruments for finalizing the rankings of websites in its search results.
Conclusion
Engaging an SSL certificate service agency is essential for an e-commerce operator as it will provide a secure environment for transactions besides boosting customer confidence which will all prove to be helpful in growing the business.
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