SSL and Paypal - do I really need?

[jonswaino]

This maybe an obvious answer to a silly question, but I don't have an SSL site, and the only payment method is through PayPal. I've just bought something off another osCommerce site (just by coincidence) and noticed that there was no SSL until the Paypal entry since this is a secured site. I'm wondering if my site actually needs to be SSL secured, since the important part is the user entering their information through Paypal?

 

Thanks,

JS

[Terra]

This maybe an obvious answer to a silly question, but I don't have an SSL site, and the only payment method is through PayPal. I've just bought something off another osCommerce site (just by coincidence) and noticed that there was no SSL until the Paypal entry since this is a secured site. I'm wondering if my site actually needs to be SSL secured, since the important part is the user entering their information through Paypal?

 

Thanks,

JS

You don't *need* an SSL for PayPal but there are lots of good reasons why it's a good idea to safe-guard your customer details which they hand over to your shop when they register.

 

Nobody will be able to tell you how much business you can potentially lose by customers going to the create_account page and realising it's not secure. Maybe not much, maybe a lot. Question is whether you can afford to gamble with potential revenue?

 

Terra

 

PS: some hosting companies offer free Shared SSLs as part of their hosting. Others allow you to install a Full SSL - GoDaddy e.g. is very good value for money but you will need a Dedicated IP address from your hosting company.