The direct relation of SSL certificates to eCommerce conversion rates
One thing differentiates top eCommerce stores from the rest – their customers trust them.
In the eCommerce industry, nothing sells more than trust. It is the only thing that customers count on before making a purchase decision.
With global cyber security attacks mounting at an alarming rate, the last thing customers want is to lose their hard-earned money and personal credentials to a scrupulous eCommerce store.
Hence, the need for HTTPS encryption and SSL certificates.
What is an SSL certificate? What does it do?
An SSL certificate is a file that contains a cryptographic key about an organization. Once configured into a website, the SSL certificate turns on a green padlock symbol and a green address bar implying that all the files transferred between the server and user browser are encrypted.
The encryption ensures that if the website or the data transmission is hacked in-between, the hacker gets only incomplete or gibberish words that make no sense. Instead, the actual data will be assembled to form the complete message in the other end, where it will be decrypted.
This form of web security using SSL certificates is referred to as HTTPS encryption. Websites encrypted with an SSL certificate have an HTTPS prefix to their URLs. HTTPS encryption delivers a host of benefits to website owners, primarily to eCommerce store owners.
Contents of an SSL certificate
SSL certificates contain sensitive organizational information like:
- Company name
- Location
- The validity period for the certificate
- Certificate Authority who issued the certificate
SSL certificates for eCommerce websites
Your online store needs an SSL certificate if you answer ‘Yes’ to the following.”
- You capture sensitive customer information
- You process payment details like credit card and net banking information
- You have to adhere to statutory requirements like PCI compliances
Depending on the need of your business, you can pick a green padlock secure connection with Extended Validation (EV) SSL, Organization Validation (OV) SSL, Domain Validation (DV) SSL, WildCard SSL Certificate, and Multi-domain SSL Certificate.
SSL certificates can give your business a variety of benefits like:
Protection from cyber attacks
SSL certificates immunize your eCommerce website from cyber attacks like eavesdropping, phishing, DDoS, etc. In addition, they act as the first line of defense that prevents infiltration into your server system.
Improves customer trust in shopping
17% of online shopping customers abandon their carts, fearing security concerns in credit card payments. SSL Encryption helps eliminate such fear in customers’ minds by assuring that the website is safe to deal with.
The green address bar and the padlock symbol cannot be replicated. However, their presence in an eCommerce store establishes a sense of security in customers’ minds.
Immunizes from phishing attacks
Phishing attacks feature clone websites that dupe customers into submitting personal information, including credit cards and related information. SSL certificates can help prevent such copycats by establishing legit website ownership.
This is possible with EV SSL Certificates issued post verification of the website domain ownership and business details.
Boost SEO ranking
Google has long since included HTTPS as a vital search rank signal. As a result, websites with HTTPS in their address bar will be rated as secure and given a higher search engine ranking than those without encryption.
PCI compliance
Using SSL certificates from one of the Payment Card Industry protocols lays down for compliance. As PCI compliance is regarded as a sign of reliance and credibility for any website, eCommerce stores with SSL certificates have more significant chances of being trusted by customers.
Trust Seals
Some SSL certificates and the purchase trust seals or badges can be displayed on payment pages. Trust seals or badges further help assure customers that the page is encrypted and under tight protection from cyber security attacks.
Bottomline
SSL Certificates and eCommerce are a match made in heaven. First, they help online shoppers feel safe and secure while shopping for their favorite products. For store owners, it doubles up a source to increase their SEO ranking and adhere to PCI standards. Moreover, it creates an overall safe atmosphere where customer and store records are kept secure and confidential.
