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One of the first things that you're going to need to obtain when you're doing business on the Internet is a digital certificate.
A digital certificate is also known as a "secure socket layer server certificate," or SSL certificate for short. A digital certificate is used to protect any communication that you have with your customers that contains private information.
You'll need to have a digital certificate installed on your Web server so that you can take credit card orders in a safe and secure manner. You want to make sure that no one but you, your customer, and the bank receives your customer's financial and personal information. A digital certificate is going to ensure this privacy and security.
In most cases you'll be able to get a digital certificate through the Web hosting service where your Web site is hosted; however, it is not uncommon for them to mark up the cost of this service more than 100 percent over the cost of procuring the service directly from the providers listed below.
If you wish to pursue buying your own SSL certificate, your Web hosting company will need to generate a key for your license from the Web server software (e.g., Microsoft Internet Information Server). You will need this piece of code (which will be sent to you in Notepad) to submit your SSL application with any service provider. After your SSL certificate is issued, you will be given a piece of code, or an encryption key, which you must provide to your Web hosting company.
This ensures that encryption takes place and validates your corporate information to anyone wishing to view your certificate online. If you choose to buy an SSL certificate, you can expect to pay between $80 and $300 annually. The following are four reliable places to obtain your digital certificate:
1. GoDaddySSL ( www.godaddyssl.com )
Go Daddy will issue you a digital certificate using up to 256bit encryption for under $100 per year.
2. Geotrust ( www.geotrust.com )
Geotrust offers quick SSL certification for as low as $189 per year. Geotrust has always been a superior performer, and we highly recommend them.
3. Thawte ( www.thawte.com )
Thawte will issue you a digital certificate for $149. You can also receive a trial version for 21 days, and they typically offer other discounts.
4. VeriSign ( www.verisign.com )
VeriSign uses 128bit encryption for its digital certificates, ensuring your privacy and the privacy of your customers; however, it is also one of the most expensive services available.
Obtaining your digital certificate should be one of the first things that you implement if you're going to be doing business on the Internet.
There are some low-cost alternatives, which may be an option if you don't want to purchase an SSL certificate, are on a tight budget, or don't possess the ability to install your own SSL certificate on the Web hosting company's servers (some Web hosting companies will only allow you to utilize SSL certificates procured through them, and some don't offer SSL services at all).
Rich Media Technologies Just Add Commerce ( www.justaddcommerce.com ) is a unique software/service which eliminates the need for a third-party SSL certificate and shopping cart since both are built into the JAC software. JAC is a plug-in to Microsoft FrontPage or Macromedia Dreamweaver software that allows you to quickly generate products and e-commerce enable your Web site in minutes. The HTML-based application is simple to use, cost effective, and includes SSL secure processing on the JAC Web servers, eliminating the need for both the SSL certificate purchase as well as the purchase of shopping cart software.
You can even choose to incorporate a merchant credit card payment gateway or manually process credit card orders. When an order is placed by the customer, you are notified via e-mail of the order and then securely retrieve the order from the JAC Web site.
The robust package includes e-mail order notification, customizable checkout templates, and good technical support. The service (at the time of this publiaction)starts for around $329, with a reduced renewal for subsequent years. JAC is a very simple tool to use, and you don't have to be an advanced Web site designer to quickly implement e-commerce onto your Web site.
PayPal ( www.paypal.com ) is a free alternative to buying an SSL certificate or a shopping cart. You will be required to open a business account with PayPal (which we highly recommend anyway). PayPal offers a very simple process to create an e-commerce-enabled Web site at no additional cost. Basic HTML (we suggest Microsoft FrontPage) is all that is required. One common myth is that for shoppers to utilize a PayPal shopping cart, they must also be PayPal users. This is not correct; there is no requirement for shoppers to join PayPal to allow them to securely shop and buy products from your Web site.
Action Steps
1. You want to make sure that no one but you, your customer, and the bank receives your customer's financial and personal information.
2. Obtaining your digital certificate should be one of the first things that you implement if you're going to be doing business on the Internet.
Important Points
- A digital certificate is also known as a "secure socket layer server certificate," or SSL certificate for short.
- If you choose to buy an SSL certificate, you can expect to pay between $80 and $300 annually.
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