SSL and how important to have on your site? - UK Business Labs

**brunswickheights** · #1 (**permalink**) 18-09-2008, 01:02 PM

Hi
I have a website where the SSL doesn't work.
How important is it that it should work.
Will it put clients off by not being there?
Regards
Patricia

**wecando.biz** · #2 (**permalink**) 18-09-2008, 02:03 PM

What information are you collecting via your site?

For any personal information at all I would wish to see SSL encryption before giving. It doesn't take much to nab someone's idendity.

IH

lee.pillen · #3 (**permalink**) 18-09-2008, 03:59 PM

It's absolutely essential if you're collecting any personal information on your site. If the page isn't secured with SSL the personal information isn't being transmitted securely and people will, rightly, not want to use the site.

- Lee

**NikHurwood** · #4 (**permalink**) 18-09-2008, 04:00 PM

You mention that the SSL "doesn't work", do you have an idea what the problem is?

**brunswickheights** · #5 (**permalink**) 18-09-2008, 04:41 PM

But only the web designer can do it

**Mark** · #6 (**permalink**) 18-09-2008, 04:57 PM

Your host, by rights, should be able to sort this out for you.

**brunswickheights** · #7 (**permalink**) 18-09-2008, 05:08 PM

I was told about this problem about 2 months ago.
I told him immediately and he said he had done enough work for me :-(

But isn't this a really important thing!
Or is this why he appears not to be doing anything because he doesn't know how to..............oh dear I hope not.

**NikHurwood** · #8 (**permalink**) 18-09-2008, 05:48 PM

If sorting the SSL was part of the original deal you had with the designer then he should be honouring that now depending on if he offered any future support type arrangement.

Is it the case that the designer sorted the hosting etc? If that is so and he is starting to get funny, I would ask him to provide you with the details so you can take over the hosting/domain name/ etc yourself. Whilst this may sound daunting if you are "technically unsavvy", it is your best option.

SSL is important for customer piece of mind as mentioned earlier, so I would suggest getting it sorted for this reason alone.

There are quite a few people that could take this on for you (me included, but I'm not touting!). If you wanted to try taking it on yourself, I'm sure there's enough combined knowledge on these forums to help you through!

Good luck and don't take any rubbish from the designer! Either he wants to help you or he doesn't, it may be better to take this as a sign of his professionalism and move forward without him.

**Daniel :: EZPZ Hosting** · #9 (**permalink**) 19-09-2008, 12:15 PM

It looks like your site isn't on a dedicated IP address, there are 650 other sites on that same IP.

The first step would be to get that IP setup, your host will normally charge a couple of £ per month for it. You'd then need to purchase an SSL, you can get cheap ones for about £10 that work just fine.

We choose to setup SSL certificates for our clients as the SSLs can be quite tricky to install, so it makes more sense for us to do it for them rather than trying to find the problem later down the line when they can't get it working.

**brunswickheights** · #10 (**permalink**) 22-09-2008, 01:01 PM

Hi
Tried to contact the host...........Heart Internet Ltd just now ......................with no luck.
When I phoned them,the line is dead.
Asked 2 telephone enquiry firms to look for a number.................no luck again.
Have sent an email to the web designer.....................not holding my breath there.
Do you reckon they may have have gone under?

**NikHurwood** · #11 (**permalink**) 22-09-2008, 01:07 PM

This Heart look very much alive... bit of blatant false advertising on the domains page though (from 9p... cough!).

Down the bottom is a contact page link with a phone number on.

Maybe a different host, but worth checking details again.

**Daniel :: EZPZ Hosting** · #12 (**permalink**) 22-09-2008, 01:11 PM

I wouldn't have thought Heart have gone under, its pretty typical of any of the massive hosting companies to be honest.

Have you emailed them regarding this? It may take them a few days to reply. I have an exchange account with 1and1 and it takes them about 4 days to reply to any questions.

**Mark** · #13 (**permalink**) 22-09-2008, 04:35 PM

I'd suggest moving to a host with same day service and replies.

**S4ICT** · #14 (**permalink**) 30-09-2008, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagle

Your host, by rights, should be able to sort this out for you.

I agree with Eagle... Your host should be sorting this for you. It should have been part of your original contract.. do you pay them a monthly hosting/support fee? if so get them to earn it. in my experience an e-commerce site without at least a secure checkout process or any other area where you are information gathering on personal info is fighting a losing battle. Identity theft is increasing at an enormous rate and fraudsters target sites where they see personal information field on pages which are unsecure.

If you can get your host to resolve this I think you will see a big improvement in performance of your site.

In my very humble oppinion.

**brunswickheights** · #15 (**permalink**) 01-10-2008, 10:10 AM

I have gone for a new website with a new name and a new web designer.
Also as a member of this forum I was lucky enough to get a free copy of
299 Steps to Web Heaven by Nikki Pilkington.
I think that's my bible for web sites now.
Thanks everone for your input but might as well wind up this thread.
Patricia