If you are involved in online business, you have probably heard of SSL or secure sockets layer. SSL is an encryption method, short for Secure Sockets Layer. SSL benefits are very important for someone involved in an online business. An SSL certificate provides a way for retailers to be trusted by their customers, and a way for them to make sure that sensitive information is kept safe. Here are some of the main SSL benefits that come when you make sure that you have secure sockets layer protection on your ecommerce website:
1. Server authentication. When you have secure sockets layer, you are protected as well as your customer. The server – which is basically another name for a computer that stores information about your website for viewing by customers and others – must have a digital SSL certificate. Secure sockets layer provides these certificates and is able to read them. SSL certificates come from a trusted third party that can guarantee encryption. The SSL certificate is proof that the server is what it says it is. Having a secure sockets layer makes it harder for fraudsters to pretend to be another server. Customers feel safe, knowing that you really are legitimate, and they are more willing to do business with you. You are protected as well when you engage in business to business transactions with others that have a valid SSL certificate.
2. Private communication capability. Another advantage of secure sockets layer (SSL) protection is that it makes conversations private. The encryption used by the secure sockets layer turns useful data, such as credit card numbers, addresses and other payment information, into useless bits of information. Random characters appear. Only the right recipient – one with the encryption key – can decode the messages. This means that you have a private communication channel. If someone else tries to intercept the information, it will appear to be useless.
3. Customer confidence. This is an extremely important benefit of having an SSL certificate. It assures customers that you are taking the proper steps to protect their personal information. A well-informed and seasoned Internet shopper knows that secure sockets layer (SSL) protection is a necessity. Many savvy online shoppers will not buy from ecommerce merchant accounts who do not encrypt transactions using secure socket layers. If you want loyal customers, it is a good idea to purchase some sort of SSL certificate so that buyers feel confident in engaging in business with you.
SSL benefits for Web hosts
For Web hosts, having SSL provides another layer of benefits and protection. A secure sockets layer will protect private information and do what is expected of it. It can encrypt payments from clients. But it is also possible for a Web host to use SSL certificates to earn a little extra money. If an ecommerce Web host buys an SSL certificate that allows them to share with others, it is possible to get a source of income. The Web host can provide more services for its client, and charge money for etailers to use their shared SSL certificate. The online business gets the SSL certificate for less money, and the Web host is able to bring in a little more income. Many Web hosts wrap this cost up into monthly charges.
Customers benefit from secure sockets layer protection
Customers also enjoy SSL benefits. When looking for a company to do business with, it is important for online shoppers to choose an ecommerce host with SSL certificate options. It protects personal payment information. As a customer, you want to know that your information is as safe as it can be. By shopping on a site that has been verified and has an SSL certificate, you know that you are dealing with a reputable and legitimate company, and you know that your information is not going to intercepted enroute and stolen for other – unapproved – purposes.
There is no way to completely protect all information from identity theft. However, with secure sockets layer protection, the likelihood of information being stolen is dramatically decreased. It is important for business website owners and customers alike to pay careful attention to SSL certificates and make sure that they are as secure as possible before engaging in online business transactions.
