etailology

SSL stands for “secure sockets layer” and its the technology used to encrypt the transfer of critical information (such as credit cards) between a user’s computer and website. SSL represents both a technological “lock” on the data as well as an identity verification guarantee; that is, SSL Certificate vendors seek to verify the site’s/business’s status as “bona fide” before issuing the certificate.  (For new or SOHO ventures, this verification process can be slightly frustrating.)   The most common (i.e. trusted) vendors of SSL certificates are Verisign, Thawte, and to a lesser extent Comodo.

Etailers (particularly those without a national brand presence) should place a badge indicating their site as being “SSL Secure” on all transaction pages (and perhaps even on the footer of the whole site).  It’s an easy way of providing reassurance to customers that their data is secure and the business is bona fide.