You built out the perfect website. The design was what you imagined during the beginning stages of development. Your team has written content for blogs and pages, and you even got the domain name that best suits your business. Everything looks picture perfect until you see your live site. At the top left of the page next to the address bar, there is a “Not Secure” warning; what is this “Not Secure” warning, and does it matter? That warning is displayed because you didn’t acquire an SSL certificate for your website. Here’s why your site needs an SSL certificate.

What is an SSL Certificate?

It’s important to know what an SSL certificate is before you acquire one for your site. “SSL” is short for Secure Sockets Layer. It’s a way to alert potential customers they will be able to browse your site and enter their personal information safely and securely. An SSL certificate creates a secure connection for those activities. It also places a “Secure” message next to the URL of your site along with a small padlock to signify security.

It Ensures Website Security

You’ve seen website URLs with that begins with “HTTP” and “HTTPS.” If a URL starts with an “HTTP” prefix, it’s not secure. The “S” at the end means that a website has implemented an SSL certificate. With an SSL certificate, you can prevent security breaches on your website. An SSL certificate encrypts standard requests and responses to your site. When someone accesses your site, there are security measures in place to secure sensitive data that you wouldn’t want cybercriminals to access. This protects your website from hackers and cybersecurity threats. The encrypted information includes:

  • Passwords
  • Credit card information
  • Addresses
  • Any other sensitive financial information
  • Data entered into webforms

It Increases Your Search Engine Ranking

Google improves the search engine ranking for websites with SSL certificates. A site with “HTTPS” in its URL is viewed more favorably by Google’s search algorithm. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is an essential aspect of growing your business and ensuring that as many potential customers and clients see your site as possible. With an SSL certificate in place, you’ll be going the extra mile to improve your search engine ranking.

You Become More Trustworthy

An SSL certificate tells clients and customers that whatever information they enter into your site will be safe and secure. Even if you aren’t a dealer, an SSL certificate is essential. No one would feel safe entering any financial information or credit card numbers into a site that has a “Not Secure” warning displaying next to the URL of their website. Once you’ve implanted an SSL certificate, you’ll be seen as a more trustworthy brand and business.

How Can You Get an SSL Certificate?

You can purchase an SSL certificate from any reputable site or your domain and hosting provider. Usually, website hosting services will include an option to buy an SSL certificate. There are also multiple SSL levels, and the cost of each one can vary. If elect to purchase an SSL certificate, you’ll also have to verify that it’s legitimate. Also, most SSL certificates don’t last forever and need to be renewed.

If you’d like to learn more about how important an SSL certificate is for your website or learn more about general website hosting and security, feel free to contact Evolved Office. We have years of experience hosting and managing dealer and non-dealer websites alike with an emphasis on website security and user experience. Let us help you take your business to the next level.