Why is an SSL Certificate So Important?
Ever visit a website that warns you to proceed with caution – that this site may not be protected. Scary right? On the other hand, you’re probably more used to seeing the little green lock on the top left corner of your website search bar? This little green indicator means the page you visited came to you via HTTPS, the web’s secure protocol, rather than plain old HTTP, not secure protocol. Sounds techie but it’s important to understand the difference.
The websites with the green locks all have an SSL certificate installed on their websites and the others do not. SSL stands for Secure Socket Layer and if your a website owner, it’s crucial that you have one installed on your site. If YOUR website is flashing a caution sign you may have noticed that your website visits are dropping like a rock.
SSL Certificate Use Is On The Rise
As of last year, there are now more SSL encrypted websites than non-encrypted. That’s a good thing. But if you don’t have SSL yet on you site do not fret. Just read on…
Once installed on your website, an SSL Certificate secures communications between a web server and a browser. Basically, your company’s website is using encrypted data to communicate with your clients. This added layer of security gives your potential customer the confidence they require to freely access your business’ website. SSL stands for “Secure Socket Layer”. This is the security tech standard and ensures that all data which goes between your server and your client’s computer maintains privacy, is essential, and intrinsic.
Google Rewards SSL Use
If you want your company to show up at the top of Google or Bing, you absolutely need an SSL certificate. Since 2014 Google has used SSL Certifications as an integral part of the algorithm they use to determine where you appear in a search engine listing. Without an SSL Certificate, there is a good chance your company will not even show up on the first page of a Google listing. And now Google is actually punishing websites that do not have this certification by automatically dropping them in search rankings.
Dangers of Not Having
Without an SSL Certificate any potential client will receive a warning on their computer that your site is not secure. Most likely, they will immediately hit the “back” button and move on to the next company on their Google list. Seeing as how Google is the number 1 search engine in the world, your chances of getting and maintaining a return customer base dwindles significantly without an SSL Certificate.
Secure Socket Layer Pricing
The price to get an SSL certificate varies depending on your webhost. As part of your monthly service fee, HiRise digital will do the installation at no additional charge. You only need to pay for the fee required by your host. Go Daddy for example charges just $69 annually for a standard SSL Certificate. Not a bad investment to ensure Google boosts your search ranking! Send us an email or give us a call at 561.346.9781 in Delray Beach and we can have an SSL Certificate installed on your company’s website in short order!
