SSL Certificates for Shopify Beginners: Why You Don’t Need Premium Options

If you’re setting up a new Shopify store, you’ve probably heard about SSL certificates. While the technology in use today is technically TLS (Transport Layer Security), the term SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is still commonly used. For simplicity, we’ll refer to them as SSL certificates in this article.

They’re essential for securing your website and building trust with your customers. But with so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. Do you need a premium SSL certificate, or is the free option provided by Shopify sufficient?

In this article, we’ll walk you through what SSL certificates are, why they’re important, and why Shopify’s free Let’s Encrypt certificates are a great choice for most ecommerce businesses.

What are SSL certificates?

SSL certificates are digital certificates that authenticate the identity of a website and encrypt information sent to the server using SSL technology. This encryption ensures that sensitive data—like credit card numbers, names, and addresses—is protected from hackers.

When a website has an SSL certificate, you’ll see a padlock icon in the browser’s address bar, and the URL will start with https:// instead of http:// This visual cue reassures customers that your site is secure (and their data is safe).

Why are SSL certificates essential for ecommerce?

For ecommerce businesses, SSL certificates are crucial for several reasons:

1. Security: SSL certificates encrypt data transmitted between your customers and your website, protecting sensitive information from being intercepted by malicious actors.
2. Trust: The padlock icon and https:// in the URL signal to customers that your site is secure, which can increase their confidence in making a purchase.
3. SEO: Google considers SSL certificates as a ranking factor. Websites with SSL certificates are more likely to rank higher in search results.
4. Compliance: Many payment processors and ecommerce platforms require SSL certificates to comply with industry standards and regulations.

Shopify’s free Let’s Encrypt certificates

While Shopify’s free Let’s Encrypt certificates are sufficient for most ecommerce businesses, some businesses may opt for premium SSL certificates for the following reasons:

1. Extended validation (EV) certificates: EV certificates provide the highest level of validation and display the business name in the browser’s address bar. This can enhance trust and credibility for high-profile businesses.
2. Wildcard certificates: Wildcard certificates secure a domain and all its subdomains with a single certificate. This can be useful for businesses with multiple subdomains.
3. Warranty and support: Premium SSL certificates often come with warranties and dedicated support, which can be beneficial for businesses that require additional assurance and assistance.

However, it’s important to note that Shopify does not allow the use of custom or premium SSL certificates.

Shopify’s free Let’s Encrypt certificates are the only option available on the platform, and they offer the same level of encryption and security as premium options, without the additional cost.

The technical side of SSL certificates

Understanding the technical aspects of SSL certificates can boost your confidence in their security and help inform why free options are almost equal to paid ones. Let’s delve into the encryption algorithms used by Let’s Encrypt and see how they provide robust security for your Shopify store.

Encryption algorithms

SSL certificates use a combination of symmetric and asymmetric encryption to secure data. Here’s a simplified breakdown:

1. Symmetric Encryption: This uses the same key for both encryption and decryption. It’s fast and efficient but requires a secure way to exchange the key. Common symmetric encryption algorithms include AES (Advanced Encryption Standard).
2. Asymmetric Encryption: This uses a pair of keys – a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption. It’s slower than symmetric encryption but provides a secure way to exchange keys. Common asymmetric encryption algorithms include RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman) and ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography).

Let’s Encrypt’s encryption

Let’s Encrypt uses strong encryption algorithms to ensure the security of your data:

1. RSA: RSA is widely used for secure data transmission. It relies on the mathematical difficulty of factoring large prime numbers. The larger the key size, the more secure the encryption. Let’s Encrypt typically uses RSA with key sizes of 2048 bits or more.
2. ECC: ECC offers the same level of security as RSA but with smaller key sizes, making it more efficient. It’s based on the algebraic structure of elliptic curves over finite fields. Let’s Encrypt also supports ECC with key sizes of 256 bits or more.

Real-world applications

The encryption algorithms used by Let’s Encrypt are trusted by governments, military organizations, and financial institutions worldwide. Here are a few examples:

1. Government: Many government agencies use RSA and ECC for secure communications and data protection. For example, the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) has approved ECC for protecting classified information.
2. Military: Military organizations use these encryption algorithms to secure sensitive communications and protect critical infrastructure. The robustness of RSA and ECC makes them suitable for high-security applications.
3. Financial Institutions: Banks and financial institutions rely on RSA and ECC to secure online transactions and protect customer data. The encryption standards used by Let’s Encrypt are the same as those used by major financial institutions.

Conclusion

The encryption algorithms used by Let’s Encrypt are not only robust but also trusted by some of the most security-conscious organizations in the world. By using Let’s Encrypt’s SSL certificates, you’re leveraging the same level of security that governments, military organizations, and financial institutions rely on. This makes free SSL options almost equal to paid ones in terms of security, providing a cost-effective solution for your Shopify store.