Secure Servers & SSL Certificates

There is still quite a bit of concern about security on the Internet. Even if there were no real threat of people having their credit cards lifted while purchasing on the net, they are still worried about it and many are reluctant to order unless they are on a “secure server.”

To add to their worry, many browsers have a security information box that pops up when someone tries to submit information to an unsecured site.

How does the customer know for sure they are on a secure server? Well if they are using Internet Explorer as their browser, they will see a yellow padlock next to the address bar of their browser.

The “s” indicates Secure Server.

Whichever browser you use will most likely show the URL in the address box near the top of the screen beginning with "https://" instead of "http://

So how do you get one of these things? A good place to start would be checking with your ISP (Internet Service Provider), you may be able to share theirs with them. Really good web hosts may even provide this service for free.

If for some reason you want your own, you can get it from http://www.verisign.com. They'll give you a logo you can display that tells your customer your site is a safe place to order from. This isn't free. . . . it might be in the $400.00 to $500.00 range. Other places will sell them to you for 50 to 100 bucks.

If you have a secure server, make sure you brag about it. Tell your customers that they can easily order at your “secure” online store. Post this at prominent areas of your shopping cart.

The http://www.KickStartCart.com system can provide all of this for you so you don’t have to worry about it.