Why You Need an SSL Certificate For eCommerce store

Starting and running an eCommerce store could be your first step to financial freedom and self-actualization. But it is often not a journey for the fainthearted as it requires resources, skills, tools, and expertise that most people are not ready to give. In most cases, most startups disappear after very short operation periods. 

 

An e-marketer forecast the number of online shoppers to reach $1.648 Trillion in 2025. The best way to reach out to online buyers and share the lucrative sales is by establishing a robust online presence through a business website. 

 

But it does not stop at having a website. There are lots of items that you need to check regarding the website. For instance, you need a well-designed, sleek, and secure website to optimize users' experience. 

 

It would help if you also had SSL certificates, Malware scanners, reliable web-hosting providers, among others. It brings us to today's agenda- the essence of SSL certificates on your eCommerce website. Before we delve deep, let us first understand what an SSL certificate is. 

 

What are SSL Certificates?

 

At times, there will be the need to exchange sensitive information between you and your customers through your websites. Sensitive information in this regard might be user details, addresses, credit card numbers, banking information, and others. 

 

These details are susceptible while in transit as hackers can eavesdrop or sniff through the communication to lay their hands on the details. Internet transfer protocols are responsible for information transmissions between web servers and web browsers. 

 

For example, HTTP transmits information in plain text. Hackers who access plain text transmissions will have an easy time deciphering the meaning of a communication. 

 

On the other hand, HTTPS converts plain text data into an indecipherable form called ciphertext. HTTPS is achieved by blending HTTP with SSL certificates. In layman's definition, an SSL certificate is a digital certificate that helps authenticate a website's identity and enables encrypted connections between two communicating ends on the internet. SSL certificate mainly covers domain validation, extended validation and organization validation SSL.

 

Reasons Why Your eCommerce Website Needs an SSL Certificate

 

But are there other roles that the SSL certificate plays other than establishing secure connections? Yes. The certificates have much significance to your eCommerce website. The following are why you should get an SSL certificate for your eCommerce website.

 

1. Secure Payments

 

One way of accruing value from your business is through payments you receive from your customers for sales or services offered. To accept payments, you need to have a merchant account which is why you need to have an SSL certificate. In addition, customer payment details such as credit card numbers and debit card numbers need to be protected from the wrong hands of hackers. 

 

Most web hosting providers will require that you purchase and install an SSL certificate to help protect your end-users financial information. So, in a nutshell, before requesting any financial information from your customers, you must first ensure that you have an SSL certificate properly installed on your website. 

 

2. Enhance Customers Trust

 

SSL certificates are issued by special third-party organizations referred to as Certificate Authority. Before issuing a certificate, the CA must do its due diligence to establish that the organization requesting the certificate is what it says to be. You will need to give documents and enough evidence for the certificate authority to ascertain that you are the real owner of the organization and that your organization is legitimate and genuine. Organizations that fail to meet the thresholds or those masquerading as genuine but to extort money from unsuspecting customers will not be issued an SSL certificate.  

 

Your business details will be attached to the SSL certificate installed on your eCommerce website. Customers can use this information to establish your legitimacy, increasing their trust. You know what trust does to your business. It can lead to increased lead generation, high customer conversion rates, and increased profits. So, although not directly, an SSL certificate will play a part in increasing trust and boosting sales for your business.

 

Also Read | E-commerce and M-Commerce - Importance and Differences

 

3. Enhance Your Visibility in Search Engines

 

Search engine optimization experts will always advise you to acquire an SSL certificate as a surefire way of increasing your visibility in search engines. Search engines use many factors to rank web pages in the search engines results pages. The HTTPS factor has long been used as a tie-breaker in situations where two or more web pages have equaled all other ranking factors. 

 

And what is the point of running an eCommerce store if customers cannot find you in search engines? SSL certificate brings you low-hanging SEO fruit you should take advantage of to hit the top pages of search engines. 

 

4. SSL Certificate to Adhere to Rules and Standards

 

Another reason why you need to buy an SSL certificate and install it on your eCommerce website is to comply with the underlying regulations. For instance, the PCI/DSS requirements stipulate that any website that accepts online payments should have an SSL certificate. Installing an SSL certificate is one way of fulfilling one of the twelve PCI/DSS requirements. Failing to comply can attract heavy penalties such as fines. 

 

Which Type of SSL Certificate is Good for an eCommerce Website?

 

Knowing the type of SSL certificate suitable for your eCommerce website is also important. There are several types of SSL certificates. SSL certificates can be classified as per the level of validation they require. From the level of validation perspective, it is highly recommended for Organization Validation and Extended Validation SSL certificates. 

 

However, the OV SSL certificate is a medium level of validation and comparatively cheaper and could be valuable for medium-sized businesses trying to work things under a fixed budget. But if you have enough funds and require a certificate with a more advanced validation, it is recommended that you go for an EV SSL certificate.

 

Also Read | 6 Applications of IoT in Ecommerce

 

Summing It Up

 

eCommerce websites are an excellent way of selling your business to the world. However, the security of your eCommerce website should remain a critical concern, which is why you need an SSL certificate to secure your website. You should also note that the SSL certificate does more than basic data encryption. 

 

It also helps your website meet the underlying laws and regulations, increase customer trust, and help drive your eCommerce website to the top of search engine results pages. This article has given fine details and explanations for why you need an SSL certificate for your eCommerce website.