Shared Cert vs. Your Own Cert?

[nurelm]

What's the advantage of getting your own certificate for secure transactions vs. using a shared certificate such as the one FutureQuest has?[nbsp][nbsp]Does getting your own cert help in any way, i.e. eliminate a browser warning for a user or something?

[Deb]

Hmm..

Shared Cert Advantages:

* Less cost than having your own cert.[nbsp][nbsp]$50 one time setup fee with no other costs.

* No extra paperwork or confusion -- Simply toss us an email and it's done for you.

Shared Cert Disadvantages:

* You have to use a FutureQuest URL like this https://secure.futurequest.net/xyourdomain/ (this prevents errors to the end user)

* You can not take the cert with you if you leave us.[nbsp][nbsp]Ergo you would have to require your new host to set it up and pay them for it.

Advantages of your own cert:

* You get to use your own domain name https://secure.yourdomain.com

* You can take your cert with you so if you move your domain to a new server the cert is still good (you may still have to pay a setup fee depending on the host)

* You receive your own dedicated IP address from us (we can not setup your own cert without giving you an IP number)

Disadvantages of your Own Cert:

* Cost -- $100 setup fee to FutureQuest + the cost of the cert (over $100 with cost depending on who you purchase the cert from)

* More paperwork and technicalities to go through.

Either way there will be no errors to the end users :)

Hope this helps a bit

Deb


[This message has been edited by Deb (edited 07-18-99)]

[nurelm]

Thanks for the quick reply!

Sound like the shared cert is perfect. I won't be leaving FutureQuest soon (you guys are pretty cool :) ) and a funny page name for one order page is ok with me.

[DH]

What if you want to track promotional efforts by attributing completed sales to referring URLs or other log file data?[nbsp][nbsp]Do you need a personal certificate, or can you get the same info with a shared cert?