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How To Enable SSL on Shopify
Last modified: March 12, 2024
When shoppers are online they’re looking for a few trust factors before they’re buying. There are lots of trust factors that they can get, these include how companies accept payments, reviews on products, testimonials on the company, and a clean website without errors in the content.
However, there is one factor that is fast becoming an important factor when it comes to shopping online. That is the SSL certificate.
What Is SSL?
SSL is the standard technology for establishing a secure, encrypted link between the user’s browser and a web server. This secure link prevents any data being passed between the user and the web server from being stolen by a third-party.
In the past five years, SSL has become a very important part of the internet. Without SSL, your site’s ranking will be lower, as Google sees it as essential and you could lose traffic, sales and revenue. This can be a major factor in your success.
Even if you don’t take payments on your site and you operate it as a front for a physical store or as an information hub (i.e. a news blog), then you should still have an SSL certification on your website.
You can tell when a site has a SSL certificate because the site will have the https:// instead of the http://. In addition, the browser should have a padlock next to the site’s URL to showcase the site is secure.
How Much Does An SSL Certificate Cost?
An SSL certificate can cost anywhere from nothing to $50 per year. It all depends on your site and SSL provider. And it also depends on your platform on how it is installed. Most web hosts will do this for you as it is important that you are secure. If you’re insecure, so is their server and that could lead to further breaches.
And this is where Shopify comes in. Shopify offers all the stores hosted with them SSL certificates.
How To Add An SSL Certificate To Your Shopify Store?
Adding an SSL certificate to your Shopify store is very easy. It doesn’t take too much effort as it is done for you as soon as your custom domain has been properly attached to your Shopify store. As soon as your store’s custom URL (i.e. example.com) is attached, Shopify will automatically update all the URLs on your store to the https:// version. Customers who use any original URL (i.e. http://) will be redirected to the encrypted store.
While this process is fast, it can sometimes take up to 48 hours for the process to complete. During this time there might be an error notice within the admin area or when on your website. Therefore, it is best to avoid adding your custom domain during heavy traffic times.
This is important because other platforms don’t offer this.
In addition, SSL certificates are, by default, activated by Shopify for the store’s checkout and any content that might hosted on the .myshopify.com domain.
Optimizing Shopify SSL Security
SSL Certificate Integration
Integrating an SSL certificate is a critical step for securing a Shopify store.
It encrypts data between the server and the browser, safeguarding customer information. This process is streamlined within Shopify’s platform for ease of setup.
SSL Configuration and Management
Proper configuration of SSL settings is key to maintaining a secure online presence.
Management of these settings is accessible through Shopify’s admin panel, where certificates can be reviewed and renewed.
Attention to detail here ensures continuous protection.
Advanced SSL Features for Shopify Stores
Auto-Renewal of TLS Certificates
Shopify’s platform automatically renews TLS certificates, ensuring uninterrupted secure connections.
This feature eliminates the need for manual updates, maintaining a consistent defense against data breaches. Auto-renewal is a seamless background process that supports ongoing store integrity.
Secure Content Delivery
Delivering content securely via HTTPS is crucial for maintaining SSL standards.
Shopify ensures that all store assets, like images and scripts, are served over secure connections. This practice prevents mixed content issues and enhances customer confidence.
Extended Validation Certificates
Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificates provide a higher level of security and user trust. These certificates undergo a rigorous validation process, confirming the legitimacy of the business.
For Shopify Plus users, EV SSL certificates display distinctive browser indicators, such as a green address bar, signaling enhanced security.
Considerations for Enabling SSL on Shopify
Domain Configuration
Correct domain configuration is essential when enabling SSL to ensure secure connections. This involves updating DNS settings to point to Shopify’s servers.
Failure to configure correctly could result in SSL errors or website downtime.
Asset Hosting and Security
Assets must be hosted on secure servers to comply with SSL protocols.
Hosting on HTTPS-enabled servers prevents mixed content warnings. Secure asset hosting is critical for maintaining trust and a seamless user experience.
SSL Certificate Validity
Ensuring the SSL certificate is valid and up-to-date is crucial for website security.
An expired certificate can lead to security warnings, eroding customer trust. Regular checks of certificate status within the Shopify dashboard are recommended to avoid such issues.
Conclusion: How To Add SSL To Shopify
In conclusion, adding an SSL certificate to your Shopify store is a vital step towards ensuring a secure and trustworthy shopping experience for your customers. The SSL certificate not only protects sensitive information but also boosts your store’s search engine rankings and customer confidence.
Shopify Advanced features and customizations enable you to enhance your store’s functionality, design, and marketing efforts while maintaining a strong focus on security. By leveraging these advanced capabilities, you can create a more engaging and efficient shopping experience for your customers. For communications among team members, you can use emojis in timeline posts to highlight the implementation of SSL for security.
In addition to the SSL certificates, you should look at other ways to secure your website. Check out this security app to make your website more secure and protect your customers.
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Can I use a third-party SSL certificate with Shopify?
Shopify provides its own SSL certificates and does not allow the use of third-party SSL certificates. This ensures a streamlined and secure experience for all Shopify-hosted domains.
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Will my SEO be affected if I switch to SSL on Shopify?
Switching to SSL should improve your SEO since Google gives a ranking boost to SSL-secured sites. However, make sure to properly redirect your URLs to maintain SEO rankings.
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What if my Shopify store is not showing the SSL padlock?
If the padlock is not displayed, it may indicate mixed content issues, where some elements are not loaded over HTTPS. You’ll need to correct these to ensure full SSL security.
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