The internet is a big place and we all want to feel safe and secure on it. The first step to feeling secure is to know you are shopping on a site that has taken the necessary steps to protect your information. SSL certificates do just that by encrypting all data passed between the browser and the server. SSL certificates are easy for anyone to acquire.
There are many free options available online, but if you're running an e-commerce business, you need to purchase a certificate from a trusted Certificate Authority (CA).
There are a number of reasons why a free certificate isn't sufficient, but the most important reason is validation. A free SSL certificate only validates the domain name of the website. It does not validate the company's identity, nor is it signed by a third party. A third-party signature is required for trust because it adds an additional layer of security that verifies who you are as a merchant or organization.
In addition, most browsers will display a padlock icon in the upper right corner of your browser when you're visiting a website secured with SSL certificates from VeriSign, GeoTrust, or Thawte/Encryptica – making it easy for consumers to recognize your online store is trustworthy and worthy of their business.
