There is still quite a bit of concern about security on the Internet. Even if there were no real threat of people having their credit cards lifted while purchasing on the net, they are still worried about it and many are reluctant to order unless they are on a “secure server.”
To add to their worry, both Netscape and Internet Explorer browsers have a security information box that pops up when someone tries to submit information to an unsecured site.
How does the customer know for sure they are on a secure server? Well if they are using Internet Explorer as their browser, they will see a yellow padlock in the middle of the bottom bar of their browser. When they are on a secure server, this padlock will be locked. In Netscape there is a padlock in the lower left hand corner. Again, it will show itself as locked when on a secure server.
Whichever browser you use will most likely show the URL in the address box near the top of the screen beginning with “https:” instead of “http:” . The “s” indicates Secure Server.
So how do you get one of these things? Heck I can hardly remember. I got mine a couple years ago. As in picking a shopping cart, the first place I would go would be my ISP. In fact, that's where I went and I share theirs. I may have been allowed to do so because I upgraded to the higher level e-commerce plan and pay more per month. The best hosts provide this service for free. If for some reason you want your own, you can get it from http://www.verisign.com . They'll give you a free guide to securing your website as well as a logo you can display that tells your customer your site is a safe place to order from. This isn't free. . . . I think charges are in the $400.00 to $500.00 range. You would have to hold a gun to my head to get me to pay that much money for this service. If for some reason you think you need this, get your webmaster or your Web Host to help you. It's one of those things that's important, but just like with your car engine, you don't have to be able to explain internal combustion to be able to drive to the grocery store.
If you have a secure server, make sure you brag about it. Tell your customers that they can easily order at your “secure” online store. Post this at prominent areas of your shopping cart.