If you are running an eCommerce business, it is of vital importance that your customers feel comfortable in giving you their credit card information. Using SSL is a common way to ensure such security.
If you are unfamiliar with the term SSL, Paul Gil at about.com sums it up simply:
SSL stands for "Secure Sockets Layer". It commonly uses port 443 to connect your computer to a secure server on the Internet. SSL is most often used for transmitting credit card, tax, banking, or personal information to a business server somewhere. Examples of SSL: you are purchasing a DVD from Amazon.com, you are filing your taxes online, or you are transferring funds between your checking and savings accounts.
Thankfully, there are a variety of options when choosing SSL providers. Much like choosing a hosting provider, content management system, or anything else, you'll want to evaluate your needs as a business and explore what different options have to offer before choosing an SSL provider. SSL Shopper has a nice tool in its "SSL Certificate Wizard" to help you make a decision.
Five popular choices are:
1. GoDaddy
For one, GoDaddy has a name that people recognize (thanks to good branding). People are likely to put more trust into a name they know. They also offer solutions on the cheaper side of the spectrum.
2. Verisign
Verisign is another well-trusted name. In fact, they're probably the most trusted in the game and trust can go a long way, but they are known to be a bit more expensive.
3. Comodo
Opinions at SSL Shopper about Comodo range from great to terrible, but if you dig deep enough, you can probaby find a similar range for everybody else too. Comodo does offer cheap solutions.
4. Digicert
Digicert isn't the cheapest, but there seems to be overwhelming enthusiasm about them, particularly in the areas of customer service and support.
5. Thawte
Thwate is also not on the cheap side, but much like VeriSign, and as the comapny's slogan says, "It's a trust thing". It's a popular one and is seen often and people will associate it with security.
Your options are certainly not limited to these five choices. You may find another one entirely to be way better than the rest. If so, we'd love to hear about it.
Who do you go with for SSL certificates? Are you happy with them? Do you feel that they help you earn the trust of your customers?
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Comments
Good Article
After several searches your article was the only one I found that talks about several SSL providers. Although I never heard of Digicert or Comodo here iin the US. Thx
Thank You
Using shared SSL
I'm using shared ssl given by my web hosting company. But i think i gonna change to dedicated SSL pretty soon
Cost and Such
A while back I did quite a bit of research when I was working with a client. Initially I was their New Jersey Photographer but latter got involved in the website development. At the time there was not much difference in the products offered but merely a price and trust issue. Godday changed the market for the better offering cheaper products across the line. Some tried to rely on trust but really there all the same thing. If you think it will cost you a client then maybe you need a name. Also there are hacker safe certification that add a layer of trust as well.
Paul Guba
www.gubavision.com
A Name
deliberate obfuscation
It seems to be not widely known (largely because they try to hide it) that Verisign actually owns Thawte. And GeoTrust.
They hide the fact well on their home pages, you have to dig into the legal notices to find this info. And that is relatively new - until mid 2008 there was no mention at all!
Personally i would recommend instantssl.com (comodo). It is cheaper and simpler to set up than VS, Thawte or GeoTrust. And I like the fact that they are honest enough to make the fact it is owned by Comodo nice and clear on their logo. To quote Thawte's slogan "It's a trust thing". Thawte of course would prefer to talk about trust while hiding the fact it is actually owned by VS.
GlobalSign CA
I've been doing a lot of research on SSL providers and came across one called GlobalSign. Have you researched this company at all? Do you have any additional information on Digicert?
Thanks,
Denise
What about Verizon for web hosting?
I really green at this....what about Verizon FIOS for web hosting? is this the same as SSL
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