30,000 websites are hacked every day worldwide, and according to GlobeNewswire, cybercrime will cost businesses an estimated $10.5 trillion annually by 2025. So if you are a Shopify business owner or going to start a business on Shopify? It’s important for you to know about SSL certificates that protect your website from cyber attacks, data breaches, and ransomware attacks.
What is an SSL Certificate?
SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer, a protocol that provides an encrypted connection between a web server and a web browser. In other words, it creates a secure connection over the internet so that users can browse websites securely.
Who Issues an SSL Certificate?
Certificate Authorities (CAs) issue the SSL certificates. DigiCert, GlobalSign, Comodo, Let's Encrypt (free and open-source CA), and Sectigo (formerly Comodo CA) are the other authorities that verify the identity of website owners and issue them SSL/TLS encryption certificates.
Why Does a Website Need SSL encryption?
SSL certificate is also important for a website because it builds user trust and helps it rank on the search engines. When a user lands on a website without SSL encryption, it immediately creates a sense of insecurity in their minds, where 95% of websites on Google using HTTPS.
SSL certificate secures:
- Login credentials
- Money transactions and bank account information
- Website user details like Name, Address, Contact info, etc.
- Credit card details
To provide buyers safe browsing and purchasing experience, your Shopify store should be SSL certified.
Now, enable SSL on your Shopify store by following the simple steps below.
How to Enable SSL on Shopify?
Follow each step below to enable SSL on your Shopify website.
- Log in to your Shopify account and navigate to the "Online Store" section.
- Go to "Preferences."
- Scroll down to the "Checkout" section and select "Manage."
- Check the box next to "Force SSL."
- Click "Save" to apply the changes.
After enabling SSL, Shopify will automatically redirect all traffic to HTTPS, providing a secure connection for your customers' sensitive information. Note that if you have a custom domain, you may need to make additional changes to enable SSL fully.
What Does SSL Pending Mean on Shopify?
When you follow the process above time, you may see an "SSL Pending" error as a red message is shown on your screen. This error occurs when the SSL certificate has not yet been fully installed or properly configured.
This SSL pending message indicates that you applied for the SSL certificate, but Shopify does not recognize your server and content compatible with the encryption protocol. The pending SSLs request automatically resolves some time once you properly add the domain and point to the right DNS.
How to Fix SSL Pending Issue?
To fix the SSL pending issue on your Shopify store you can follow the several methods:
# Method 1
Wait for 2 days
Sometimes, Shopify automatically installs SSL certificates, but if you face the SSL pending issue, you should wait for 48 hours issue to get resolved automatically.
# Method 2
Contact Shopify Support or ask in the community
If waiting doesn't resolve the issue, reach out to Shopify support for assistance in setting up your SSL certificate properly. They will be able to guide you through the process and resolve any technical issues that may be causing the pending status. And you can also check on the Shopify community answer here.
# Method 3
Check your domain name registrar settings
If you have a custom domain, ensure your SSL certificate is properly linked to your website by checking the settings in your domain name registrar.
# Method 4
Renew or re-issue the SSL certificate
If the above steps do not resolve the issue, you may need to renew or re-issue your SSL certificate.
# Method 5
Disable and re-enable the SSL certificate
Another option is to disable and re-enable the SSL certificate from the Shopify store settings.
Now, check the additional benefits you get when your Shopify store is SSL certified.
Advantage of SSL Certified Shopify Store
Increased conversion rates
According to a study by GlobalSign, sites with SSL certificates can experience an increase in conversion rates of up to 15%.
Improved search engine rankings
Google has stated that SSL is a ranking factor for websites, which means that sites with SSL certificates are more likely to rank higher in search engine results.
Enhanced security
SSL certificates encrypt sensitive information, such as credit card numbers and passwords, during transmission, helping prevent fraud and protecting customers' personal and financial information.
Increased customer trust
According to the online sources having an SSL certificate on your site shows customers that you take their security seriously and can increase their trust in your brand.
Compliance with regulations
Depending on the location of your business and the type of data you collect, you may be required to have an SSL certificate for compliance with privacy regulations, such as the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Conclusion
After reading the complete article, you will get the answer to your question on the SSL certificate issue on the Shopify website. We are a leading Shopify website design and development company helping and resolving Shopify website issues for the last 5 years. You can contact us if you still have questions about the SSL certificate on your Shopify website.