SSL Certificates

If you intend to take credit cards directly on your site, your site will need an SSL certificate. This is required by all financial institutions that provide credit card processing. You can purchase your own certificate if using your own hosting or have us handle this for you if you are using our hosting.   
 
If you provide  your own hosting, contact your hosting provider about acquiring an SSL certificate.
 
An SSL certificate provides two important  features on your web site: 
Encryption - it encrypts all data sent to and from your customers so that their credit card information cannot be stolen during transmission.
 
Identification - because SSL certificates are only issued after an identity verification process it assures customers that they know who they are doing business with.

If you are going to take payments through Paypal Standard (visitors leave your site and make payment on Paypal's website) you do NOT need an SSL certificate.