SSL certificate is important for e-commerce websites as it encrypts the data exchanged between the user’s browser and the website’s server. This ensures that all sensitive information, such as credit card details, payment details, and personal data, remains protected from unauthorized access.  

While an SSL certificate is essential for all websites, it has become an integral and necessary part of an e-commerce website. That’s because e-commerce websites collect sensitive data such as credit/debit bank details, passwords, and other financial information from their customers. Therefore, an e-commerce website must invest in an SSL certificate. Besides safeguarding sensitive information, an e-commerce website needs an SSL certificate for many reasons. In this article, we will look at some of the reasons why e-commerce websites need SSL certificates. 

What is an SSL Certificate?  

SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer. It is a security feature that keeps information safe while being sent over the internet. When someone visits a website, their browser asks the server for the SSL certificate. The server sends it, and the browser checks to make sure it’s valid. Once verified, the browser creates a secure, encrypted connection with the website, keeping all information safe. 

How to Identify Websites with an SSL Certificate 

Imagine you are a customer. You are looking for a website to purchase some household items. You stumble upon a website; how do you know if the e-commerce has an SSL certificate in place? Look at this image below:

Notice the tiny, closed lock at the beginning, followed by https? These are the two visual signs that certify a website’s security. 

You may notice that some websites use HTTP, while others, like this image, use HTTPS. That extra ‘s’ at the end is what certifies that the website is secure and encrypted. The ‘s’ signifies that an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) protects the website.  

If you go ahead and click on the lock, you can see more information, like this:

This indicates that your website is secure with an SSL certificate.

Benefits of an SSL certificate for E-Commerce Website 

When a person lands on a website without SSL and other data-encryption security measures, they may receive warnings and alerts to notify them that the website is unsafe. Unsecure websites are vulnerable to cyber-attacks and other threats, and this is an immediate deterrent for anyone to go ahead and continue browsing, let alone transacting, on that website.  

For an e-commerce website, security becomes of prime importance as you want your customers to be able to trust you and the fact that you will keep their personal and financial information secure. Here’s a list of benefits that come with an SSL certificate for e-commerce websites: 

  • Secure Payments

As an e-commerce website, chances are you’ll accept different modes of payment, including credit card payments. This is sensitive information and whether you have an in-built payment system on your e-commerce website, or redirect customers to a third-party payment platform, an SSL certificate will ensure that the customer’s data is secured. This satisfies customers that you’re a credible e-commerce platform that ensures their data is not stolen or vulnerable to threats.  

  • Password Protected

Most e-commerce websites want to build a loyal customer base through membership or exclusive accounts. Therefore, they encourage customers to sign up for their website and create accounts to shop in their store easily. This ease-of-use and password-protected login also creates more opportunities for cybercriminals to steal information, however, an SSL certificate ensures password-protected logins and minimizes vulnerability to attacks.  

  • Data Collection

E-commerce websites don’t just collect financial information but also collect customer’s personal information and preferences to be able to serve them better. This could include questionnaires, feedback forms or other web forms to offer a more tailor-made shopping experience. Protecting this personal information is equally important; an SSL certificate helps you keep this vital data secure.   

  • Google SEO Rankings

Websites with HTTPS and SSL certification will benefit from SEO rankings compared to HTTP websites. While the boost in SEO rankings may not be exceedingly high, this further establishes the need to keep your e-commerce website SSL secure. Additionally, this indicates that your competitors are going to do the same and that you must be on par.  

  • Faster Loading Speeds

The speed at which your website loads is crucial for your online store’s success. Many people believe that SSL slows down the website, but that’s not true. In fact, SSL makes your site faster. 

This is because SSL lets your website use HTTP2, an innovative technology that helps web pages load more quickly. HTTP2 can send files faster, uses just one connection, and replaces extensive text data with a smaller, faster format. If your website is SSL-secured and your server supports HTTP2, upgrading to this faster protocol can speed up your site. 

  • Secure Webforms

Your e-commerce site collects more than just payment details. It also stores personal information like email addresses, shipping addresses, and other important data. You wouldn’t want that information to get stolen. 

Without SSL, some of the data submitted through web forms on your site can be vulnerable to hackers. Installing an SSL certificate helps keep all that user information safe and secure.

  • Authentication and Verification

SSL certificates do more than just encrypt data—they also provide authentication. This means they ensure your customers’ data is sent to the right website and not to someone trying to steal it. A good SSL certificate also proves that your website is legitimate and owned by your company. Some SSL certificates even have a warranty, which could cover financial losses if the encryption fails. 

  • Protection from Phishing Attacks

Phishing attacks trick people into clicking on links that lead to fake websites where their personal and financial details can be stolen. SSL certificates help prevent this by verifying that your website is real and trustworthy. When customers see the HTTPS and the padlock symbol in their browser, they can be more confident that they’re not on a fake or malicious website. 

What Happens Without an SSL Certificate  

Without an SSL certificate, the information exchanged between your website and the visitors is sent in plain text, which means it’s not protected. If a hacker intercepts this data, they can easily read, steal, and use or sell it. This can lead to serious problems like financial fraud or identity theft. 

On top of that, modern web browsers warn users about websites that do not have SSL. If your site lacks an SSL certificate, visitors may see a warning that the site is not secure, which can scare them off and prevent potential customers from purchasing. 

Which SSL Certificate is Right for You? 

When it comes to SSL certificates, there are a variety of options to choose from. On one hand, you have free SSL certificates, such as those provided by Let’s Encrypt. Let’s Encrypt is a non-profit organization that offers domain-validated certificates. It’s become popular because it’s free and easy to set up with many hosting providers. 

On the other hand, there are paid SSL certificates from different companies. These certificates require more detailed verification and offer higher levels of trust.  

While free certificates are great for smaller websites or personal projects, it’s important to consider your website’s specific needs. For example, if you’re running a high-traffic e-commerce store, investing in a premium SSL certificate could add extra trust and security for your customers, which is crucial for maintaining their confidence. 

Get Secure With SSL 

While there are many ways to secure your website, SSL certification must be one of your top priorities to ensure a hassle-free, safe, and secure shopping experience for your customers. If you are looking for an SSL certificate, check out SSL certificates from BigRock, which offers many features and benefits that help you protect your e-commerce website and your customers.   

If you still have questions, refer to our FAQs for clarity! 

While there are many ways to secure your website, SSL certification must be one of your top priorities to ensure a hassle-free, safe, and secure shopping experience for your customers. Owing to this need for security, SSL certificates from BigRock offer many features and benefits that help you protect your ecommerce website and your customers.  

Online shopping and the world of e-commerce are at an all-time high and continue to grow. Customers today prefer an online shopping experience and are always looking for newer e-commerce platforms that cater to their needs — but not at the cost of compromised security! 

 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)  

  • What is the difference between HTTP and HTTPS? 

Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) sends data in plain text, which anyone can intercept and read. Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS), on the other hand, uses SSL/TLS certificates to encrypt data, making it unreadable to anyone except your website and the visitor’s browser. 

  • What type of SSL certificate do I need for e-commerce? 

For e-commerce stores, an Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificate is ideal. It requires a thorough verification process and shows a green padlock with HTTPS, signaling high trust and security. 

  • How many SSL certificates do I need? 

One SSL certificate is enough for your domain. However, some cases may require two certificates for a single domain. 

We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below!