Is self signed security certificate enough for your business website?

Website Security

In the 21st century, many internet based businesses go great lengths so as to connect with their target customers, which inevitably has become the most important step towards building a profitable online enterprise. Interestingly, some 75 per cent of the online shoppers look for a security certificate before making any online purchase and ensuring that the concerned website is protected by a verified and popular Secure Sockets Layer, or SSL certificate. Further, these kinds of security certificates are mostly provided by Comodo, Verisign or one of the Symantec brands. Without these reliable brands underlining reliability of a website, online customers usually click away and look for some other websites. A digital certificate like SSL is nothing but an electronic credit card, which confirms credentials or identity of a website that is engaged in online business and other types of transactions over the World Wide Web.

Introduction to a security certificate?

A security certificate for a website is issued by the Certification Authority (CA) and it comprises name, expiration dates, serial number and the copy of owner's public key, which is usually needed for encryption of data, messages and digital signatures. Further, an SSL certificate also includes digital signature of the certificate issuing CA, so as to enable a recipient to verify its authenticity. A digital certificate like SSL can also be recorded in online registries, so that any authenticating consumer can check public keys for verification.

Self signed vs third party signed security certificate 

Some IT professionals hold the opinion that net costs for a website authentication can be easily cut by eliminating third party SSL certification authorities from the budget equation. Individuals who believe that spending money on an SSL certificate for an online ecommerce website business or a company homepage is nothing but unnecessary, are actually walking on a tight rope. A self signed security certificate for an online business website is not a great alternative for paid SSL certification, issued by Comodo, Verisign or Symantec. This can be easily found out doing some basic market research and budgetary estimates.

Experts believe that the net cost of owning an SSL security certificate is much more than the price of the certificate. One has to consider expenses on security hardware, data centre storage space and management software, amid others, which can easily add up a big figure for the setting up of a secure and self signing architecture. Further, a Do It Yourself (DIY) approach to SSL certificate can put an entire organisation at grave risk in a number of ways, from both technical and business perspectives. Almost all major external and internal facing online marketing oriented business websites require a strong SSL protection verified by reputed third party certification provider. A digital certificate offers the most cost effective option for authenticating the identity of any online ecommerce web portal, besides being highly recommended as well.

Role of web hosting in the success of online business

Hosting Services

In the 21st century, a smart and efficient web hosting service is one of the most necessary requirements for ensuring a successful online business venture. Not just large corporate houses, in fact many small and medium scale businesses have thrived using the internet as their growth medium, which helped them cultivate an unparalleled customer reach and taking their enterprises to unanticipated scales of prosperity. At present, a web hosting company also provides the best online marketing strategies, such as Search Engine Optimization (SEO), social media marketing and branding services, among others.

Most industry experts believe that it is vital for any individual or organisation having online footprints to have their websites listed on top pages of the popular search engines like Google and Bing. Accordingly, web hosting services comes handy in achieving these parameters.

Introduction of web hosting services for an online business

A web hosting company develops and puts websites online for individuals and organisations, in return for some basic charge. Apart from design and execution, these firms also make the websites of their clients accessible to their targeted customers via the World Wide Web. Web hosting is gaining a fast momentum with many small and medium sized businesses, offering similar or derived services, cropping up in all major parts of the world. Web hosting services usually offer data storage spaces for an online website on a shared or dedicated server, besides providing internet connectivity using special data centers. 

Significance of web hosting services in online businesses

Individuals and organisations looking to create their own online identities should make a checklist before putting the website live on the internet. First of all, a marketing website should have a catchy and easy to remember domain name, along with an aesthetically pleasing visual presence. Further, the website content must be easy to understand and compliant with the ethos and primary objectives of the core business. Web hosting services providers are experts at accomplishing the aforementioned prerequisites of creating a strong and successful online business venture. At present, there are all types of web hosting companies present in the market that caters to all budget considerations and requirements of interested individuals or organisations. Hence, one should carefully evaluate his/her needs, target objectives and prospective clientele first, before hiring the services of a web hosting company.  

Several industry experts consider choosing a web hosting provider extremely vital for a start-up online business and advice that a thorough market research should be done and professional advice must be checked beforehand. This move serves purpose of deciding over either shared or dedicated web hosting solutions, depending upon the situation and demand. After finalizing a web hosting company, customer oriented internet marketing strategies should be framed for a successful online business venture.