Do you need an SSL certificate?

[Liam]

If you have an e-commerce website the answer is definitely YES -- you need an SSL certificate!

Each website that is used for gathering and transmitting customer's information should use an SSL certificate in order to guarantee the safety of this information.

Most of the Internet users expect any personal information they provide via the Internet to remain confidential and integral. Many people will never buy your products or services online unless they are sure that their details will be secure. The SSL certificate is the only way to secure your online transactions and to show your customers that you really value the confidentiality of their data. Using an SSL certificate is essential if you wish to have a truly successful e-commerce website.

A Shared SSL certificate is included in each SiteGround account. It guarantees that any data transmitted through a site using this SSL certificate will be secure. However, the shared certificate is not the best choice for an e-commerce website because it will always display a note that the SSL certificate is not issued for the customer's domain. This note may cost a loss of customers and no e-commerce site would like that to happen.

SiteGround strongly recommends a Private SSL certificate to be used by each e-commerce website. A Private SSL certificate could be obtained from the Customer's Area.

[winterse]

I am getting ready to set up my first e-Commerce project, and I need to do it economically. Therefore, I think I want to start out using Siteground's shared SSL certificate. What do I have to do to have my website make a secure connection using this certificate?

[Kate]

Please, note that if you use our shared SSL the access to your website must be made by IP address:

https://Server IP/~your user name/

You can use this URL for the pages you would like your visitors to accept via encrypted connection.

If you need to access your website securely through your domain name at:

https://yourdomainname.com

you will need a private SSL.

[Jtam]

And what's the difference between OpenSSL and Siteground Private SSL certificates?

thx

[lostinfr]

Hi,
Do you need a Private SSL certificate if you are only taking payments through paypal?

[thegateways]

I think SSL is not 100% secured. Getting visitors to accept via encrypted connection is better way for security.

[Jay Blackwood]

This really, really belongs in the SG FAQ/Knowledge Base. It took me far too long to find this information on how to use the shared certificate. [I won't use it for the long term but during testing, etc. I really needed to know how to do this!]

[emilym]

I just want to run a joinery business website, and will not be selling anything or taking anyone's personal information, does that mean I don't need an SSL certificate? If it's purely advertising?

Thanks

[Niko]

Hello Emilym,

If you are not planning to make any transactions with sensitive information, then you can leave your website operational over the standard HTTP protocol, i.e. without a private SSL certificate.

[emilym]

Thanks! That's great, very helpful.