An SSL certificate ensures safe, easy, and convenient Internet shopping. Once an Internet user enters a secure area — by entering credit card information, email address, or other personal data, for example — the shopping site’s SSL certificate enables the browser and Web server to build a secure, encrypted connection. The SSL “handshake” process, which establishes the secure session, takes place discreetly behind the scene without interrupting the consumer’s shopping experience. A “padlock” icon in the browser’s status bar and the “https://” prefix in the URL are the only visible indications of a secure session in progress.

By contrast, if a user attempts to submit personal information to an unsecured website (i.e., a site that is not protected with a valid SSL certificate), the browser’s built-in security mechanism triggers a warning to the user, reminding him/her that the site is not secure and that sensitive data might be intercepted by third parties. Faced with such a warning, most Internet users will likely look elsewhere to make a purchase.

Some websites or server configurations require a specific type of SSL. Use these questions as a guideline to help determine which SSL you should use.

Is this for a business or a personal website?

How do you want to show visitors that your site is secure? Do you want visitors to see the SSL belongs to a verified organization, or is HTTPS in the address enough?

All SSL-secured sites display HTTPS in the address. Premium Extended Validation (EV) SSLs also display a prominent indicator — usually a green address bar — to quickly assure visitors that the organization’s legal and physical existence was verified according to strict industry standards. For more information, see “What is a Premium Extended Validation (EV) SSL certificate?” in our Help Center.

For more information to help you choose an SSL certificate, see our Help Center article, “Which SSL do I need?”