Simply put, SSL (Secure Socket Layers) simply encrypts information as it is transferred across the internet. So if you are trying to collect sensitive information from your customers or website visitors you would most likely want SSL on your site.
There are 2 different kinds of SSL. One is Shared SSL and the other is Private SSL. Shared SSL allows you and other hosting customers to share a secure domain so that data can be encrypted. However, Shared SSL, using a common domain, will cause certificate warning messages to pop up on your site. In certain circumstances this might be alright. But what most website owners do to offer their valuable customers privacy when passing sensitive information is to obtain Private SSL.
Private SSL (128 bit or 256 bit) will use YOUR domain name and will NOT cause any warning messages. Private SSL is preferred for protecting credit card information.
