SSL and security certificates protect your website by encrypting the communication between the server and the website visitor. To use SSL, an SSL certificate (also known as a security certificate) must be installed on the server.
If your website is hosted on a reseller account, a virtual server, or a dedicated server, a dedicated IP address may be required for each SSL certificate.
What is an SSL certificate used for?
There are two main reasons why SSL certificates are used.
The first and most common reason is when you want to accept card payments on your website. SSL ensures that the communication between the visitor and the server is encrypted when payment details are entered.
The second reason is to protect confidential information on your website when visitors access it over the internet. SSL certificates also help protect passwords from being intercepted while they are being entered on a website.
Do I need one?
If your website accepts card payments, an SSL certificate is required to encrypt the communication between the payment system and the customer’s personal and payment details.
It is also important for your website to comply with PCI DSS, a set of rules that websites must follow in order to process card payments securely. Major card providers require this compliance because it reassures visitors that their data is protected and handled safely.
Without proper security, a website can easily lose customers and visitors who do not feel confident about entering their information online.
If you prefer not to handle card details directly on your website, customers can be redirected to a third-party payment provider’s page — for example services like PayPal. In this case, your website does not store or transmit sensitive payment information itself, and the payment provider handles the secure transaction.