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Oct 6, 2022

In the realm of the security of online transactions, SSL certification, and PCI DDS, the stakes are exceptionally important for sellers on the internet and their creators. Moreover, the path to compliance can be complex. However, the experts in e-commerce at are here to help. Here is a guide for internet security for content creators that explains the best ways to remain in compliance while growing the number of sales you make online.

SSL is a must for online sellers

When you look at the beginning of your URL's URL you will notice either an "HTTP" or an "HTTPS." That last letter "s" is essential for sellers selling online, since it means your site is safe.

SSL (Secure SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is an online security method that secures the data of users as it moves through your servers and the client's browser. This type of Transport Layer Security (TLS) ensures that sensitive customer data is protected. If you don't have SSL security, hackers can take over the data (like the credit card details shared at payment) and view it as text.

    What happens if your Online Store Does Not Have an SSL Certificate?

SSL certificates are essential to run an online store, and website owners must renew them every two years. So what happens when the online store owners fail to keep the SSL certificate?

  • Search Rankings: Both browsers and search engines tend to make websites less attractive to organic searches that do not have SSL certificates, by making them appear lower in search ranking, which means that your site is less likely to be seen by potential buyers. You can learn more about Search Optimization (SEO) or Search Optimization (SEO) by taking courses within 's CreatorU.
  • Security Alerts: Your website is marked as insecure and browsers like Google Chrome will inundate potential customers with warnings against visiting your site.
  • Hacking Threats When your customers are hacked, you could be unable to gain the trust of your community and be financially accountable.

Thankfully, the solution here is easy. If you are a partner of a secure e-commerce website (like ), the platform manages SSL certificates for all page that you sell on.

Through maintaining SSL certificates, these e-commerce platforms can help ensure that your website's sales stay PCI conformant, which is essential for sales online.

PCI DSS Compliance and E-Commerce

PCI (Payment Card Industry) DSS is a global set of standard for data security that applies to every online retailer that accepts online payment. These standards regulate a website's security online to keep customer payment data secure. PCI standards are continuously updated to safeguard against the most recent threats to data security Your e-commerce website should be able to adapt to the latest PCI DSS changes as they become available.

    What happens if You're E-Commerce Site is Not PCI In compliance?

Infractions with PCI DSS standards can financially ruin online sellers--especially small businesses. The payment processors can begin threatening your bank with huge penalty fees (up to 6 figures for each month for non-compliance), which the bank will pass to your business.

You can also face bank account closures and higher charges for transactions from processors. The smallest amount of non-compliance penalties (starting at $5,000 per month) could quickly cause the bankrupting of small-scale businesses.

Maintaining compliance with online standards can be difficult for all businesses. Therefore, it's simple to see why the majority of online sellers partner with an e-commerce platform that offers an integrated PCI DSS compliance like .

You Can Sell On Your Own Website

    Do websites have security?

Best of all, each sale page is fully compliant and secure. sales pages have built-in security features, including SSL as well as SCA, GDPR as well as PCI DSS compliance.