10-28-2005, 08:39 PM
If you opt for installing shopping cart software on your own website (Zen Cart, osCommerce, X-Cart etc) rather than a hosted solution (3dCart, easystorecreator, tc) you will need to purchase a SSL certificate if you plan to process credit card payments.
The hosted cart companies, and many of the web hosts that provide lower end web hosting/ecommerce services will let you use their shared certificate so their is no cost to you . The disadvantage of using a shared certificate is primarily one of image--when a customer clicks on the padlock in their browser they see that the certificate was issued to XYZ Hosting Corp rather than YourCompany Inc . If you buy a certificate the customer will see YourCompany Inc when they click on the padlock which to many will give an added sense of security that they are dealing with a well established business that isn't going to disappear overnight.
SSL Certificate prices range from $29-$900+ depending on the issuer and type of certificate.
The hosted cart companies, and many of the web hosts that provide lower end web hosting/ecommerce services will let you use their shared certificate so their is no cost to you . The disadvantage of using a shared certificate is primarily one of image--when a customer clicks on the padlock in their browser they see that the certificate was issued to XYZ Hosting Corp rather than YourCompany Inc . If you buy a certificate the customer will see YourCompany Inc when they click on the padlock which to many will give an added sense of security that they are dealing with a well established business that isn't going to disappear overnight.
SSL Certificate prices range from $29-$900+ depending on the issuer and type of certificate.