What is an SSL Certificate and Why Is It Important for a Website?
Why Does Your Website Need An SSL/TLS Certificate?
If you are an avid user of the internet then you might have heard of the terms, SSL and TLS. So, what are they? And why are they used so frequently? Well, SSL is an abbreviation of Secure Sockets Layer. It is a security method that allows the data to be encrypted when being transferred over the internet. A TLS is just an updated version of the SSL which is much more secure. Now, you must have submitted various forms on different websites before. But did you know that the information you send is just plain text which the hacker can easily steal? With an SSL certificate, your sensitive information such as credit card details or personal information will be secured. How? One word; encryption! The data will be encrypted during its transmission between the user’s browser and the webserver.
A Way to Build Trust
Having an SSL certificate has become really important for a website these days. One of the major reasons for this is that it tells the visitors that their private information is safe with you. It can develop a feeling of trust within the users and they won’t hesitate when it comes to providing you with valuable data. And when someone trusts your website enough, you can definitely expect them to visit you again. SSL is a level of security which ensures your visitor that they can surf safely on the site without needing to worry about getting hacked.
How to Know If A Website Has an SSL Certificate?
Now that you know all about SSL, you must be thinking about how to know if a website that you want to surf has an SSL certificate. Well, to figure this out, simply have a look at the URL. Now, keep in mind that those websites that have an SSL certificate start with HTTPS instead of HTTP. Also, depending on the type of browser you are using, there are different visual clues that can help you find out if the site is secure or not. For instance, a green padlock that shows on the address bar.
Benefits of Having an SSL Certificate
One thing that you know by now is that an SSL certificate assures visitors of safety. It indicates that they can easily navigate through your site without worrying about a thing. But other than that, there are a number of different benefits which makes it absolutely necessary for website owners to opt for the SSL certificate. What are they? Well, let’s have a look!
#1. Improved Google Rankings
Yes, you read that right! Equipping your website with an SSL certificate can actually push your website towards the top of Google’s search ranking. But along with it, there are a few other factors that would contribute to this such as site speed, keywords, content, and backlinks. In 2014, Google announced that it will give higher importance to those websites that have an SSL certificate. From this alone, you can understand the importance of HTTPS sites.
#2. Boosts Online Sales
If you are running an online store, then your visitors will see if your site has an SSL certificate. And if you don’t then you can consider them to bounce from your website. They might not even be interested in what you offer. However, if you do have an SSL certificate then this will increase the chances of gaining and retaining customers who visit your site. In addition, Google has stated that it will flag those websites that don’t have an SSL certificate on their Chrome browser. What this means that if a visitor is using chrome and he/she visits your website then the individual will get the message that the site is unsafe. Therefore, having an SSL certificate will surely pay off!
#3. SSL Satisfies DSS/PCI Requirements
If you are doing an e-commerce business then you must be familiar with PCI/DSS requirements. To receive an online payment, your website must be PCI compliant. And guess what? Having an SSL certificate partially fulfills the requirement. Why partially? Because an SSL certificate is one of the twelve requirements set by the PCI.
Conclusion
An SSL certificate sure provides major benefits such as the ones stated above. And due to the fact that it secures data, every website owner should consider opting for it. But obviously, you will need a good internet connection for it. So, if your provider is not offering you the service that it promised to deliver then it’s time that you start searching for different options. My friend suggested that I go for Spectrum internet when I was starting a small startup and so far, it has been working like a charm for me. You too should go with a reliable ISP so that you may obtain an SSL/TLS and can focus on your online business.
