is a digital certificate necessary?

[digitman]

Hi guys :)
I'm new to this forum.I've been reading it for a long time though and i think its a great forum.
I'm working at creating a software.The website should be launched till the next month.My question here is that in order to accept orders online,do i need a digital security certificate?I'm at a pretty low budget right now,and I want to survive until my website starts making a profit.I'll be using a merchant account(ShareIt) that allows me to use it for free,but takes it commision from every sale made.It suits my needs well.However,the digital security certificates cost a lot and I was wondering what their impact is.I would be using a SSL and a merchant account at my website.Can I do without the certificate for one or two months?
thanks in advance :)
digit

[Conard]

Most hosts have a blanket SSL that they will let you use for the secure pages at checkout.
I don't know the workings of ShareIt, but they may have a set up to take the customer to their secure site for the exchange of sensitive information.

A third choice would be to set up a free account with Mal's for the transfer of the secure information.

I wouldn't go one single day collecting credit card information with out some type of SSL.

[digitman]

have a look at :
[westhost.com...]
this one is from my potential host.They do offer a SSL and one of those certificates too,but i dont know if thats enough.Should I still get Verisign's certificate?

[Conard]

The shared SSL should be fine. It does what it should do if it's shared or privately owned.
The only thing that will be noticeable is the URL will be something like:
https:**yourhostsecure/your-site/order-form.html

instead of:
https:**your-site/order-form.html

[digitman]

so I dont need to buy a certificate from Verisign or Thawte?Yayyyy! :-D

[pdivi]

There are great $50 alternatives if you want your own cert. I use GeoTrust...works fine, and there are no signs of potential customers running for the exits because they don't see a pricey Verisign logo.

[digitman]

ahem,so that means I still do need to buy a certificate?

[pdivi]

I used my host's shared SSL until I got dedicated hosting and had to buy a cert. I have not noticed any difference in functionality or conversion since switching. I'd use your host's shared cert if it's free, unless you're involved in some heavy-duty transactions where your customers might be extra jumpy.

[lorax]

>> I have not noticed any difference in functionality or conversion since switching.

Perhaps not in your case but I can tell you that if I see a Thawte logo on the top page of a site I'm thinking of buying from versus none on their competitor - without a doubt I'll buy from the Thawte protected site. It's a matter of perception.

Technically you can go cheap. But ecomm is more than a having a functional cart. It's about making a profit. Even if you only spend $50 for an SSL you are more likely to improve your sales simply because the URL is your own rather than your hosts. By and large, you should make that $50 back pretty quickly. Remember, consumers are becoming more web-savvy and security conscious everyday. The fact that the URL changes from your DN to your host's won't be lost on all of your customers. When they go to check out the change will cause some of your customers to abandon the sale.

It's all about convenience and security from the customer's standpoint.

[digitman]

i didnt realize that it would show up as my host's url unti lorax mentioned that.thanks lorax.I'll just email the host and ask them how much would it cost to have my own url show up

[digitman]

thank you guys.I just talked to their representative and got tbis whole thing cleared.I'm going to buy GeoTrust now :-D

[digitman]

I just checked with GeoTrust,and I couldnt find a certficate that I could get for $50.All of them were above $100.Could you please give me the name or the link or the certificate that I need to look for?

[lorax]

Check your sticky mail.

[digitman]

thanks,just checked it :D