Online security is one of the biggest issues consumers and businesses will tackle when buying or selling products on the internet. There are so many opportunities for scammers to get hold of your personal information, and they can use it to sign up for services in your name or steal your money. For this reason, people now understand the importance of an SSL certificate.
So, what is ssl and why does your website need a certificate? Read on to find out more.
What Is SSL?
According to Gov.UK, 46% of businesses have had a security breach online within the last 12 months. But using an SSL certificate can minimise your companies risk of being hacked. SSL certificates are a computer file with a primary function to protect your information.
When you visit a website, you’ll notice that some addresses start with HTTP, while others use HTTPS. The difference between the two is the https websites are secure, while HTTP sites are not. Secure websites use SSL certificates, which act as a binder between your browser and the site you’re visiting.
SSL Certificates make sure that nobody can intercept your connection with a website and steal your information. For example, if you visit an e-commerce site and make a purchase, you’ll have to share your bank details with the merchant. Hackers target websites without SSL because they can easily access and steal your personal information, so it’s crucial you know if a website you’re visiting has SSL features.
The Types of SSL Certificates
SSL certificates fall under three categories: encryption, domain number and validation. The Certificate Authority processes all applications and decides which sites are eligible to receive a certificate. You can view the criteria and application process here.
EV SSL Certificate
EV stands for extended valuation, and its primary use is to show the legitimacy of a domain. These certificates are expensive to obtain, but they can be useful to show visitors that your website isn’t spamming.
All businesses can benefit from the EV SSL, but if you take payments or personal information from your visitors, then you need this certificate.
OV SSL Certificate
Organisation Validation SSL Certificates prove that a business and domain are real. They’re a good option for companies that can’t afford the EV SSL because they offer encryption features at a lower cost.
DV SSL Certificate
Domain Validation SSL Certificates are the most basic form of verification. Most companies have one, and they usually display as a green padlock in the address bar. If you have a start-up or small business, then the DV SSL is a healthy option for keeping your costs low.
SSL Certificate: 5 Reasons You Need One
So, now you know more about SSL Certificates, it’s time to discover why you need one. Here are five reasons you should obtain one.
Promotes Customer Trust and Loyalty
How many times have you visited a website only to find out it’s not secure? The likelihood is you click away from it immediately. Nobody wants to compromise their personal information, and it’s essential to think about how to promote trust among your audience.
SSL certificates show your customers that you care about their privacy, and people are more likely to buy your products/services because they know their data won’t be compromised. Did you know that 69% of people will continue to buy from a brand they trust, even if its competitors have better reviews?
Building trust with your customers takes time, but an SSL certificate helps to bridge the gap between consumers and the confusing online world.
Offers Data Protection
SSL certificates encrypt any data that passes between two browsers. For example, when a customer makes a purchase, the information they send from their device to yours is encrypted so hackers can’t understand it.
With online scams growing increasingly sophisticated, cybersecurity is evolving to protect internet users. SSL certificates are an easy way to protect your customers’ personal information, including names, addresses and bank details.
Google Recognition
Google is the most popular search engine in the world, and websites battle to be ranked by their sophisticated algorithm. However, one thing many people don’t realise is that Google automatically accepts HTTPS websites but shows a warning for HTTP websites.
When someone is warned your site isn’t safe, they won’t want to stay, which will impact your traffic and ranking. Obtaining an SSL certificate ensures Google will display your website.
Improve Your Website Speed
Nobody likes a slow-loading website, especially Google. The search engine includes website speed in its ranking factors, so you must have a website that loads quickly on all devices.
Websites with https have faster loading speeds, which means Google will rank you higher. If you frequently appear in the search engine results, you’ll attract more visitors and be able to secure loyal customers.
Better Experience For Customers
We know how frustrating it is when a website doesn’t perform well, but sites that aren’t secure are even worse. Nobody trusts a website that doesn’t have an SSL certificate now, and user experience is essential for your rankings.
From the moment a customer discovers your website in the search engine results, they should have a positive experience. SSL certificates ensure that your website is trustworthy and protects people from scammers.
Do I Need an SSL Certificate?
As you can see, obtaining an SSL certificate should be at the top of your priority list. It’s easy to get distracted with creating content and finding customers, but if your site isn’t secure, then no amount of marketing will make a difference.
If you’re a small business owner, then obtaining a DV SSL certificate will save you a lot of money on audience retargeting, lead generation and the costly mistake of exposing your customers to scammers. Start by looking at your site and asking yourself what security does my website have? The you can make decisions based on your budget, the information you hold from customers and the level of security you need.
If you’d like to know more about data protection, check out our guide on GDPR here.
