What is a SSL Certificate?

SSL stands for “Secure Sockets Layer” and is the technology that ensures that data which passes between a web site and a browser is secure. For example, a website secured with SSL technology ensures that data such as passwords, personal data and card information is private and hidden from hackers.

It was advised historically, and quite rightly, that websites such as those offering e-commerce and asking for sensitive information such as card details should be secured with a SSL certificate.

However, there are two reasons why all business web sites should now use SSL technology.

Firstly, when it comes to straight forward organic SEO, Google has clearly stated that whether a site has or doesn’t have a SSL is now a ranking signal in Google’s search algorithm. Or in other words a business website with SSL enabled will outrank another site without SSL with all other things considered.

Secondly, if your customers are using Chrome (and almost a half of all browsers do) and you don’t have SSL they will get a warning in their URL in red. Even if your website has a form they will get this warning in their URL bar. This will warn many of your customers away from your site and back to a competitor who has SSL security.

Has your site got SSL?

Have a look at your website’s URL once you have entered it into the URL bar. Does it contain “https://” with that added “s,” or does it contain “http://” without an “s”? Websites that have SSL contain that extra “s.”

How do I make sure my business site is secured with SSL?

The best way is to contact your web designer or your hosting company and insist that you need SSL. The cost can be anything from nothing to a lot depending on your hosting.

If you would like more information about this or any of our blogs feel free to contact us.