Reasons you need an SSL Certificate on your website
What is SSL?
SSL, otherwise known as a Secure Sockets Layer, is the standard security technology for encrypting a link between a web server and a browser. This ensures that everything that is passed between the web server and browsers remain private and doesn’t have the ability to be seen by any other party but the intended. SSL is used by millions of websites to protect online transactions with their customers.
Why is an SSL important?
Your customers will often be sending information to you through your website, but passing through several computers before it gets to you. Any of these computers could pretend to be your website and trick your users into sending them personal information. It is only possible to avoid this by using a proper Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), and getting an SSL Certificate from a trusted SSL provider.
Without an SSL certificate your website will be given a warning to all of it’s users that it is unsafe. Goolge chrome and firefox now automatically use this warning on ALL websites that do not have SSL. Instead of your viewers seeing this warning as soon as they access the site, it can be changed to a secure site that is known and visual to your viewers. Once your webite has a SSL certificate it will be provided with a key indicator to let visitors know they are currently protected by an SSL encrypted session. The lock icon in the lower right-hand corner, clicking on the lock icon displays your SSL Certificate and the details about it.. This means that your veiwers will trust your website more when they see this and will be more likely to feel secure on your website.
KEEPS YOUR WEBSITE ON-LINE
Google gave notice that, starting with Chrome version 56, if users visit a website that contains any password or credit card input fields, the URL bar will include an alert that they are not on a secure website. The first version of this alert is subtle and may not catch the user’s eye, but later builds will intensify the alert. By having a SSL certificate you can avoid these warnings on your page.
ENCRYPTS YOUR INFORMATION
The reason we have SSL is to keep sensitive information sent across the Internet encrypted so that only the intended recipient can make use of it. When an SSL certificate is in use, the information becomes unreadable to any third or fourth party.
AUTHENTICATION
A proper SSL certificate provides authentication. So that you can be sure that all information is being sent to the right server and not elsewhere. Users often access the internet via several devices. Any of these devices could result in your users sending personal information to an incorrect destination. Authentication is ensured by using a proper Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), and getting an SSL certificate from a trusted provider.
IMPROVES SEO SCORE
In August 2014, Google announced that adding a SSL certificate to your site can result in a minor ranking boost. This boost for using SSL applies to all sites, even those who do not store sensitive information. If your site does not feature a checkout page or does not request any personal information from users, you can still get SEO benefits by installing an SSL Certificate on your site.
GAINS USER TRUST
When a user visits a website with an SSL certificate, they will see a padlock on the left-hand side of the address bar indicating that the website is secure. SSL providers also issue a trust seal graphic which can also be displayed to indicate security. These visual cues assist in building trust with your visitors which can lead to greater sales and more users.
PROTECTS AGAINST PHISHING ATTACKS
Emails in our inbox pretending to be from a service or financial institution we use are seen all the time. If you click links in these emails, you are taken to a site that impersonates the service it indicates. Because it is difficult for scammers to secure these false sites properly, adding SSL to your website will aid in providing reassurance that your site is authentic.
SSL Certificates Plans & Pricing