Creating secure microsites

A secure microsite uses SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) to encrypt the data that is passed between a visitor's browser and the web server. This type of microsite is the preferred type over basic microsites. Normally, data sent between the browser and the webserver is transmitted in plain text. SSL encrypts the data so it cannot be intercepted by a third party, making it ideal for microsites that will involve the exchange of sensitive information, like passwords.

Important: Using this feature is recommended for all sites as an industry standard. Modern web browsers generate prominent warnings and may even block content from non-secure sites.

When you set up a secure microsite, you need to register a new SSL certificate with Eloqua to use for your microsite. You cannot reuse an existing SSL certificate that your company owns.

Important:

If Automated Certificate Management is enabled, you do not need to purchase or renew SSL certificates (except for wildcard certificate renewals).

To have this feature enabled, log in to My Oracle Support and create a service request. This feature may require your organization's IT staff to make some changes to your domain configuration, such as changes to a record or CNAME.

You can view certificate details, including expiration dates, on the Certificate Management page. Certificates may take up to 24 hours to be reflected on the page.

To create a secure microsite:

  1. Complete the process for registering an SSL certificate in Eloqua for your secure microsite, as described in Registering SSL certificates for secure microsites and branded domains. After the SSL certificate you uploaded has been installed by Oracle Support (it will show an Active status on the Manage SSL Certificates page), you can proceed to the next step.

  2. Navigate to Assets An image of the Assets icon, which is represented by a black pencil. > Website Setup, then click Microsites to view the Microsite Setup page.

  3. Click Add, and then click Secure Microsite. A new microsite titled "Untitled Microsite" is added to the list of microsites, and its settings page is displayed to the right of the microsites list.

    Note: If Automated Certificate Management is enabled (option set to the on position), you won't see the options to add Microsite or Secure Microsite when you click the Add button. Any new microsite will be automatically created as a secure microsite.

    Screenshot showing the action and result when you add a new secure microsite.

  4. Complete the Settings page:
    1. Enter a Microsite Name.
    2. Select an SSL certificate from the Certificates list. Active SSL certificates are listed by name, followed by the certificate type in parenthesis.

      Note: If Automated Certificate Management is enabled, you don't need to select a certificate when creating a secure microsite. The system will create the secure microsite and automatically provision the certificate. You can select a certificate if you set the Automated Certificate Management option to off; however, Oracle Eloqua recommends that you leave this option turned on and allow the microsites to be automatically secured.

    3. Click Add Subdomain and enter the subdomain.
    4. Select a Default Page. This is the main landing page that users see when they access the microsite (unless a specific URL is requested).
  5. Click Save.

Your secure microsite is created.

If Automated Certificate Management is enabled, new secure microsites and new domains will not be available to use until the certificate is provisioned. After the certificate is provisioned, email notification is sent to the Customer Admin users, and the certificate is displayed on the Certificate Management page.

Learn more

Renewing SSL certificates for secure microsites and branded domains

Secure microsites

Microsites

Certificate management

Automated Certificate Management

Knowledge Base: Microsites: How to Install an SSL Certificate to Create a Secure Microsite

Knowledge Base: 'CNAME' Record' for Secured or SSL Microsites