If you allow customers to enter credit card details through your website — whether or not you actually process it on-the-spot — you need to have an SSL certificate.

Your web hosting company might allow you to use a “shared” certificate, which will exist on their domain, but this is not as professional as having your own SSL certificate on your own domain.

When you secure your booking or order page, also make sure the page that is displayed afterwards is secured, as well as any pages that allow you to view a customer’s credit card details.

And remember, your SSL certificate is not only for encryption, but also trust. Ensure your SSL certificate is purchased from an established and well-known provider, as this plays a part in how customers perceive your trustworthiness.