Online security certificates serve as official proof that a web page meets the necessary requirements to guarantee the security and privacy of user data.
Certificates offer protection and encryption services for web pages in addition to carrying out audits to verify that these sites are complying with the minimum security requirements.
It’s very easy to identify whether a web page is equipped with the appropriate levels of security: if the URL starts with “https,” this means the site is properly secured. This is why so many pages with URLs labelled “not secure” inspire distrust, causing them to lose both visitors and potential customers, in the case of online stores.
An ecommerce website can be equipped with more than one quality certificate, given that not all certificates include the same services and guarantees. It is also possible to sign up for a multi-domain certificate if you have several different web pages.
Depending on the level of security you want to offer and the operations that are going to be carried out on your website, you can decide which certificate or certificates to get.
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You will not be complying with current government regulations, among other problems:
This is the most common and well-known type of certificate, representing an authentic and essential security measure for any ecommerce business.
SSLs encrypt the information shared between the user and the web page, making the shopping experience totally secure.
There are 3 types of SSL certificates:
A trust seal is a logo displayed on a web page as proof that it has been verified by a third party.
Seals are the stamp of security that online users want to see: a well-known seal immediately creates a sense of trust. SSL certificates are usually included in a less prominent area of the website and users do not tend to be as familiar with them.
That’s why it’s important to add trust seals on a website, even though practically speaking they do not guarantee more security than an SSL. Some seals serve to verify the security of ecommerce services or processes linked to an online store, such as checkout and the transfer of banking details.
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A good certificate should meet at least two criteria, though these will depend on the type of activity your website is going to host.
Here are the most common requirements for a security certificate as stipulated by the Institute:
At this step in the game, you’ll need to be prudent and patient. Installing a certificate takes time and validations can slow down the process, especially if the issuing agency has to collect and check all your documentation. So don’t put off finding a certificate for your ecommerce business.
The process can be somewhat complex, depending on whether you install only a domain validation (which can be done by your own team) or add on more comprehensive certificates. Whatever option you choose will also influence the price you pay per year.
As an alternative, some ecommerce platforms such as Shopify include an SSL certificate with your subscription. This lightens your expenses a bit and, more importantly, reduces the management time you spend choosing, signing up for, and installing a certificate.
According to Baymard, these were the 5 seals that inspired the most confidence among users when paying online in 2019:
As highlighted by Baymard’s research, a user will immediately trust these seals even though they are not actually SSL seals, which provide more security online. Your website can have the best SSL security measures, but if buyers don’t see one of these seals, they might think it’s not secure at all.
This reveals a lack of knowledge among online users about what web page security measures are the most trustworthy and efficient and it’s why you should opt for both an SSL certificate and a trust seal, especially at checkout.
Other security certificate services are geared toward European and domestic companies, like Trusted Shops, a European certificate that meets all requirements except the protection of specific groups. These may be more appealing options for facilitating compliance with the regulations of your region (especially if you are not going to sell online internationally).
→ Check this out: how to earn buyer confidence and gain credibility
In an online business, real security (SSL certificates) is just as important as user-perceived security (trust seals). For this reason, you must meet the requirements of both.
Signing up for an SSL security certificate is essential for every online store and company with a professional ecommerce strategy. Having one benefits both the company and the user by preventing disputes, problems, and grievances arising from the use of data — an increasingly sensitive issue on the Internet.
Other factors that will help inspire confidence in your online store are buyer reviews and a flawlessly streamlined web design and checkout. If you follow these recommendations, your website will be off to a great start and the time you invested initially will be rewarded with better traffic and customers who are more loyal to your brand.