How to add an SSL to your website.

You’ve finally done it. After hours of design and testing, your website is finally ready to be launched. But, in the back of your mind, you know you’ve been putting off that one last step: adding an SSL to your website. Since 2018, SSLs have become required features for Safari, Chrome and Firefox, so most web designers are very familiar with SSLs by now. If you’re new to the web design world, however, SSLs can feel daunting.

Don’t stress, we’ve got you covered.

 

In this guide, we’ll cover what an SSL is, how you can add an SSL to your website, and tips for getting the most out of your SSL.

Let’s go.

What is an SSL?

An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) Certificate is the standard security technology for establishing an encrypted link between networked computers. The SSL itself is a digital document that ties the identity of a website to a cryptographic key pair, which includes a public key and a private key.

The public key allows a web browser to start an encrypted communication session with a web server via the TLS (Transport Layer Security) and HTTPS (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure) protocols. The private key is kept secure on the server and is used to digitally sign web pages. 

Put more simply, an SSL tells your customers that it’s safe to browse, shop and enter their secure information on your site. 

And for websites without an SSL? Here’s the warning that visitors will see:

An SSL certificate will also impact your website’s SEO (search engine optimization). Sites without an SSL installed will be deemed as lower-trust websites and will be penalized on search rankings. Give your viewers confidence and keep your site secure with an SSL. 

How to add an SSL to your website

Let’s take a look at the process for setting up and installing an SSL on various server types below. 

Note: This is a technical process, so if assistance is needed, click here.

Request your CSR

The first step to setting up your SSL will be requesting a CSR (Certificate Signing Request) from your hosting provider. 

Note: If you’re installing your SSL to the primary domain of a Domains Buy Design hosting account, your CSR is generated automatically. When generating a CSR, you’ll need to provide specific details. 

These are the details you’ll need to be prepared to provide:

Common name

The fully-qualified domain name, or URL, you want to secure. Note: If you are requesting a Wildcard certificate, add an asterisk (*) to the left of the common name where you want the wildcard, for example *.coolexample.com. 

Organization

The legally registered name for your business. If you are enrolling as an individual, enter the certificate requestor's name. 

Note: While this is a required field for CSR generation, the organization field is only vetted with Organizational Validation (OV) and Extended Validation (EV) SSL types. Not sure which cert type you need?  

City/Locality

Name of the city where your organization is registered/located. Do not abbreviate.

State/Province

Name of the state or province where your organization is located. Do not abbreviate.

Country

The two-letter International Organization for Standardization (ISO) format country code for where your organization is legally registered.

Generating your CSR

The process of requesting a CSR will vary by server type. Our Help Center has general guides for the most common server types, but if you do not see your particular server listed, you will need to refer to the documentation for your specific server for details on generating a CSR.

Set up your SSL

Once you have your CSR generated, it’s time to set up your SSL certificate.

Request your SSL

You’ll need to have your CSR handy for this portion of the setup:

1. Go to your Domains Buy Design product page.
2. Select Manage All next to SSL Certificates.
3. Select New Certificate for the SSL credit you want to use.
4. On the Certificate Setup page, select Input a CSR.
5. Paste your CSR into the box and select Continue to open the Prove Domain Control page.
6. Leave everything as it is and select Continue.
7. On the Additional Options page, select the Certificate Issuer you want to use. The only thing that changes is who the certificate is issued by. Your certificate will function the same regardless of what you choose.
8. Read the Subscriber Agreement, select the checkbox for I agree to the terms and conditions of the Subscriber Agreement, and then select Continue.

Verify your SSL request

Before we can issue your certificate, we're required to verify that you control the domain that you’re using for your SSL request. This is to ensure that the SSL request is being made by an approved entity. 

How you prove your domain control depends on if your certificate and domain are in the same Domains Buy Design account. Here are in-depth guides for both options:

• My certificate & domain are in the same Domains Buy Design account
• My domain isn't in the same Domains Buy Design account as my certificate

Download your SSL files

If you're manually installing your SSL certificate on your hosting account or server, you need to download your primary and intermediate certificates from the SSL dashboard. If the option to download your SSL certificate is disabled, we’ve already installed the certificate for you.

1. Go to your Domains Buy Design product page.
2. Select SSL Certificates and select Manage for the certificate you want to download.
3. Under Download Certificate, select a Server type and then select Download Zip File.

Install your SSL

Now that you have your SSL files, it’s time to install your SSL. This process will vary based on your server type. We have instructions for the most common server types in our Help Center to guide you through installing your SSL, but you will need to contact your hosting provider if your server configuration isn’t listed.

Redirect HTTP to HTTPS

With the SSL installed, the next step will be to redirect your site to HTTPS. For those using Managed WordPress, this update will be automatic. If you’re using a non-managed installation of WordPress or a different type of server, you can find the steps to redirect HTTP to HTTPs on our Help Center.

Once you've added the redirect, you can use our SSL Checker tool to make sure that everything is working as intended.

Potential SSL installation issues

After installing your SSL and redirecting to HTTPS, it’s time to test your website for some of the common issues after installation. Here are the top issues to check and resolve:

SSL certificate not found

If your SSL is installed incorrectly, your visitors may see a “certificate not found” error.

HTTPS redirect failure

A site not properly configured for SSL can lead to a redirect failure error message being shown to visitors trying to find your site

SSL certificate mismatch

Error message occurs if the site isn’t properly validated prior to completing your SSL certificate installation.

Mixed-content errors

If your website’s source code is pulling in other resources with insecure HTTP protocol (such as images, videos, stylesheets, or scripts) your site will not load correctly.

Or, save the time and hassle and have us do it for you

If the steps to add an SSL to your website feels overwhelming, or you just have better things to do with your time, try the Managed SSL Service from Domains Buy Design.

Domains Buy Design offers both a one-time installation service and fully managed SSL services, depending on your needs. Not sure which would best fit your purposes? Here’s a breakdown of each.

Domains Buy Design SSL Setup Service

This one-time service includes the following features:

• Installation and configuration of the SSL to the server.
• Provide necessary redirection to HTTPS.
• Update all mixed content to ensure the SSL padlock shows in browser address bars.
• Update the sitemap so that Google recognizes that the site is loading securely over HTTPS.
• If the site has a firewall, update the WAF settings to ensure full encryption.

It’s important to note that Domains Buy Design SSL Setup Service requires that the website be hosted on a server with a control panel. If the hosting provider does not provide a control panel, then we will be unable to install the SSL. Additionally, this service can only be used for a single installation. If other servers require SSL installation, then additional services will need to be purchased.

Domains Buy Design SSL Managed Service Add-on

The SSL Managed Service Add-on includes all of the features of the Domains Buy Design SSL Setup Service, but also includes the following:

• Domains Buy Design provides ongoing support for any changes that are made to the website to ensure that your website remains fully encrypted for the length of the product subscription (for example, fixing mixed content errors that can occur at any point when new content is added to a site).
• Ensure the SSL certificate is reissued at the end of each validity period to ensure that there is no gap in protection.

If there are any issues that need to be addressed, SSL Managed Service customers can simply create a help ticket in their SSL dashboard and our professionals will work to quickly address the issue. SSLs can seem daunting, but they don’t need to be a roadblock for you or your business. Need help with your SSL installation? Give our Customer Care agents a call and let us handle the heavy lifting.

Choose the SSL that works for you!

To wrap this up, if you're a webmaster or anyone who cares about website security (which should be all of us), it's important to get your head around the various types of SSLs: EV SSLs, OV SSLs, DV SSLs, Multi-domain SSLs, and Wildcard SSLs. Each of these has a special role in keeping things secure online, from the basic task of confirming that you own the domain, all the way through to validating your company details in order to boost the credibility of your business.

SSL certificates help to keep our online activities secure, providing a trusty shield against prying eyes and keeping customer info safe and sound. Your choice of SSL can do more than just fend off the bad guys, it also increases how trustworthy and authentic your site is for your visitors. So, it's well worth taking the time to choose the right one!

Write the best return policy for your eCommerce business

No matter how successful or large your eCommerce brand is, you’ll have to deal with returns. It’s inevitable. Many different reasons account for customers returning products they buy online. They may receive an item that’s been damaged during shipping, or one that’s defective. They may get a piece of clothing that’s the wrong size or color, or they may simply change their mind about the purchase. Whatever the reason, once you’ve received a return, there isn’t a lot that you can do besides providing your customer with a refund or replacement. 

Here’s some good news though: Even though returns will never be completely eliminated, they can be reduced. One way to do this is to offer a clear, concise, and easily understood return policy. But first, let’s take a look at just how rampant returns are. 

eCommerce returns by the numbers

According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), the total amount of online sales returns for 2020 was about $102 billion, which is double the amount that was returned in 2019. In the same report, the NRF found that for each $1 billion in sales, retailers have about $106 million in returns on average. That’s almost 11% of sales that are returned. 

As you may have guessed, clothing (including shoes and accessories) is the category that has the most returns, followed by electronics, furniture, home décor and garden, and food items. If you sell apparel, you can expect a return rate of as much as 30%. 

Here are some best practices that small business owners can use to write a good return policy:

1. Be clear

Handling returns starts with your return policy. There isn’t a set policy that is right for every eCommerce seller, so you have to make your policy unique to your business. For example, if you sell expensive electronics, you probably don’t want to have a “no questions asked” policy. However, that may be a perfect strategy for a clothing retailer who wants to stay competitive. 

While your store’s return policy should fit your business, there are some best practices that all return policies should follow, including: 

• Visibility – Your return policy should be easy to find on your store’s website. At the minimum, there should be links to it on your checkout page, FAQ page, and in your website footer. 
• Clarity – It’s critical that you don’t leave any room for interpretation in your return policy. It should include the following: 
• How long the customer has to make a return
• Clear instructions for what items can or cannot be returned
• How customers will be refunded (credit to their payment method, exchange, store credit, etc.)
• Who is responsible for return shipping costs 
• How long the process will take 

Keep in mind that every return policy is an opportunity for branding, as well as for customer retention. Make sure that your return policy reflects your brand.

2. Offer customers a choice of return type

When a customer places a return request, offer them a few different options. Perhaps they would prefer to exchange their product for another one of a different size, color, or other attributes. Maybe they would like to have a store credit or gift card to use at a later time. Or they may simply want a full refund. Offering choices of return type to your customers is good customer service and it may also help with customer retention. These choices can be written down on your return policy or you can simply choose the best one to offer to the customer.

3. Require a return request form

There are many possible reasons for returns, so be sure to ask on the return request form. You have to know why products are being returned to understand how to reduce your return rate. For example, if a product is returned by multiple customers, it may be due to a manufacturing defect, in which case you may need to switch suppliers. If you’re constantly performing exchanges on a certain t-shirt, it may be because its sizing isn’t accurate, but with a simple note in the description about its true fit, you can eliminate some of the returns. 

4. Indicate shipping schedule– and make it fast

It’s important to make sure that your order fulfillment and shipping process is quick. You don’t want to make customers wait too long for their orders. Delays in shipping can result in customers canceling orders and finding another merchant to buy from. 

So, speed your delivery process and allow your customers to track their order from the time it enters fulfillment until it’s delivered to their door. 

5. Keep customers in the loop about their returns

Just like it’s a good idea to let customers know the status of their orders, you should also keep them in the loop about returns. During the return process, customers should be able to track the product as it’s headed back to your warehouse and be notified when it arrives to confirm you’ve received it. They also need to know an ETA on when they should receive a refund or replacement. Email updates are good, but if you can use Facebook Messenger or SMS, they will likely get the updates even faster. 

Remember, brand perception is the name of the game for online businesses. You don’t want any negative customer feedback to sully your reputation with other potential customers. 

Tracking to mitigate returns

You have to track the right metrics to understand your return rates and whether your efforts to lower them are working. Look for an eCommerce solution that allows you to keep track of returns metrics like: 

• Return rate for each product
• Return rate for each product category or line
• Return rate for products overall
• Return rates for specific time periods important to your business (holidays, seasonal, etc.) 
• Return rates by geographical market
• Customer satisfaction score after return interactions

With nearly 11% of all eCommerce purchases being sent back to retailers, returns are not something you can afford to ignore. Do all that you can to lower your returns by using the best practices on writing a return policy listed above, but keep in mind that some returns are unavoidable. When it happens, find out why and track responses so you know where you can make further changes to lower your return rate.

In the bustling world of eCommerce, having a well-crafted return policy isn't just an option; it's a piece of your business that can significantly impact your success. As small business owners running eCommerce shops, you understand the value of customer trust and satisfaction. A clear and customer-friendly return policy plays a pivotal role in building that trust. It reassures your potential buyers that if they're not entirely satisfied with their purchase, they have a safety net.

This sense of security encourages hesitant customers to take the leap and make a purchase, knowing they won't be stuck with an item that doesn't meet their expectations. A transparent return policy showcases your commitment to exceptional customer service, reinforcing the positive perception of your brand. It's not just about handling returns; it's about cultivating lasting customer relationships and establishing your eCommerce shop as a reliable and customer-centric destination. So, whether it's easing purchase anxieties or fostering loyalty, having an eCommerce return policy is a business-savvy move that every small business owner in the eCommerce arena should embrace.

Your domain name is taken, now what?

So you’ve come up with a great domain name...only to find out that it’s already taken. Don’t stress! There are many great domain names out there, and plenty of ways to find another one that will work for you
or to potentially claim the one you want. Here are some helpful hints for what to do next:

Make a small change

If the exact domain name you want isn’t available, a very similar name may still be. Sometimes making a simple change will result in a name that’s available. Remember: the key word is simple.

Use a new domain ending

One way to keep the domain name you want may be to simply change the ending. The most common domain ending or TLD (top-level domain) is .com, but there are now a variety of TLDs, ranging from .academy to .coffee to .photography. A TLD that’s relevant for you may even help explain and describe what you do. Get the full scoop on less traditional TLDs and whether one is right for you in our post about how to choose between traditional and new domain endings.

Make a tweak

Are there any easy additions or subtractions you can make that will change your name slightly? If you’ve already established a brand or business name, you can try different ways of building on the name.

Don’t complicate things

The key to a good domain name is simplicity, so be careful not to complicate your name in an attempt to find one that’s available. For example, avoid things like hyphens, numbers or funny spellings—they’re hard to type and remember, and can lower the perceived credibility of your website. It’s better to go with a simpler second choice for a domain name than to over complicate your domain in an attempt to get closer to your original pick.

Stick with your first choice

Stuck on your favorite name? These may be your only options for landing it. It might not be possible, but it’s worth a shot.

Try to buy it

You can always offer to purchase the name you want from the current owner. If the Whois information is public, you can reach out to the domain owner directly and see if they’re interested in selling. If the info is private, you can see if they have contact information listed on their website. Keep in mind: it’s pretty unlikely that the owner will want to sell, or they may demand a steep price.

Legal action

If you own the trademark to the name used in the domain, you may have an option to take legal action to claim the domain name. This generally applies only if someone is offering similar goods or services as you, and if they began using the name after you. The first thing to do if you believe your trademark is being infringed upon is to discuss the issue with your lawyer or legal team.

Start fresh

The easiest and best option might be to come up with a new name. Here are some good reasons why:

Red flag

If the name you want is already taken, it means that there’s already another entity using that name. Trying for a similar domain name might create an originality issue or customer confusion, as well as potential legal issues. Do some research to find out if the name you want is already a brand name or trademark. Your domain name should be unique to you, as well as free of any potential infringements.

Forget perfection

An important thing to remember is that there’s really no such thing as the perfect domain name. You can waste a lot of time trying to work with your original idea when a perfectly great domain name is out there right now. Why not go back to the drawing board and come up with something new, fresh, and memorable?

For help brainstorming a new name, check out some tips in our post about domain name basics.

With these strategies, it’s time to start planning your next move. Our last bit of advice: it’s wise to come up with a few backup names in case your top choice isn’t available.

Ready to take another stab at finding a great domain name? Start searching now at Domains Buy Design.

Mangos

Our First Cardinal

What Are New Domain Extensions

When you choose a domain name, the focus tends to land on the middle part after www. Not much thought goes into the domain name suffix at the end of the web address (URL). But that overlooks the extensive world of new top-level domains. 

A top-level domain (TLD), or a domain extension, is the last part of a URL. It’s the .com in ipage.com. Common top-level domains include .com, .net., .edu., and .org. 

Over the last few years, new domain extensions were introduced, widening the scope of options to include various endings like .me, .store., and .yoga. 

These custom domain extensions provide new options and have advantages and disadvantages, including lack of memorability but a chance for branding. It’s worth learning about new domain extensions when you set up your business website and choose a domain name. 

Read on to learn more about: 

• The categories of top-level domains 
• What the most popular top-level domains are 
• What new domain extensions are 
• The advantages and disadvantages of choosing a custom domain extension 
• The Different Types of Top-Level Domains

There are multiple types of domain name extensions: 

• Generic TLDs (gTLDs) are the most commonly used, including .com and .biz. New gTLDs include options like .store and .casino.
• Sponsored TLDs (sTLDs) are for certain organizations including governments at .gov and educational institutions at .edu. 
• Country code TLDs (ccTLDs) are for specific countries, including .cn for China and .uk for the United Kingdom. 

The world of domain endings can seem strange and confusing. But by learning domain extension meanings, you can better understand the websites you visit and how to improve your own domain name management.

Many people just want to use .com for their website and call it a day. But if you do extensive work in another country or are trying to gain credibility for your new educational organization, it’s essential to consider the best domain to choose. 

Most Popular Domain Extensions

• .com (Short for commercial)
• .net (Short for network)
• .org (Short for organization)
• .co (Short for Colombia, but often used for company)
• .us (Short for United States)

The list of commonly used TLDs is not surprising. But as more websites get registered every day, your company will likely have to choose a new domain extension for your website. 

What New Top-Level Domains Are

New TLDs, or custom TLDs, are the new options available for domain extensions. Examples include: 

• .clothing
• .blog
• .tech
• .store
• .online

ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) manages the domain name system, which connects domain names to IP addresses. Until a few years ago, there were only 22 generic top-level domains. In 2013, ICANN started releasing new TLDs. 

There are currently more than 1,200 custom domain extensions available. Some are general keywords, and others are for brands like .Toshiba and .Macys.

The list continues to grow, but at a slower pace than the first few years, with .cpa and .gay being the only new additions in 2019. 

Though these domain suffixes have been around for a few years, they’re still relatively uncommon. Let’s look at what you should consider before using a custom TLD. 

Disadvantages of Using Custom Domain Extensions

The biggest concern with using a new domain extension is that you’re going against the norm. People are used to .com and .org. So .food or .radio might be confusing for users. 

There’s also the issue that new domain extensions aren’t as easy to remember. A GrowthBadger study found the most memorable TLD is a .com domain name at 44% correct recollection. And .com was the most-guessed option when an extension was forgotten. 

Another concern is trustworthiness. Will people trust a domain extension they don’t recognize? 

GrowthBadger also found .com was ranked as the most trusted domain extension. But at number six was .blog, which proves new domain extensions have the potential to be as trusted as the main extensions. 

While these disadvantages may be deal-breakers for selecting your domain name, custom TLDs will become more common as the internet evolves. That gain in popularity will also make custom TLDs more recognizable. 

Advantages of Using Custom Domain Extensions

One of the main reasons to consider a new domain extension is if your first extension choice is taken. Custom TLDs have more options and availability. 

Because there’s a long list of choices, you can choose a new domain extension to give your business a unique domain name. It can even be a conversation starter like Driftaway.Coffee’s blog post explaining their domain choice. 

A descriptive domain extension can also help with your business. You can choose a custom TLD like .dentist or .attorney to help your business with branding. A customer will understand your service just by seeing your URL.

Choosing a custom extension can also navigate people to other parts of your website. For example, Emirates.store is Emirates’s official store page. 

Domain names can affect search engine optimization (SEO), and domain extensions also play a role in SEO. While Google has said that it doesn’t rank new TLDs any higher, there are still some advantages to using a custom TLD. 

A custom TLD can add keywords to your URL, which SEO agency Globe Runner found helpful to rank in relevant search and improve conversion rates. A custom domain name can also create a long-tailed keyword, which can help SEO.

Final Thoughts: What Are New Domain Extensions and Why You Might Want One

While ICANN released custom domain extensions almost a decade ago, they’re still gaining momentum on the internet. New domain extensions provide options outside of the commonly used domain suffixes. 

New TLDs might be less recognizable and memorable, but they can make your URL more informational and contribute to SEO.

When you choose a domain suffix, consider a custom domain extension. 

Are you ready to set up your new domain name with a custom TLD? Take a look at Domains Buy Design Wordpress hosting packages or Website Builder packages today.