How important is an SSL Certificate? Does your website need one?
Well, let me ask you a question.
Are you a defensive driver? Do you fasten your seatbelt while driving? How often do you remind your passenger to put on their seatbelt?
The answer to these questions is YES, right?
If you are a defensive driver, it is essential to be cautious when driving. You have to follow safety regulations by wearing a seatbelt and reminding your passenger to put it on as well.
Having an SSL Certificate for your website is the same thing.
As a website owner, you have to be defensive. You should obtain an SSL Certificate to ensure that your website and customer data are safe from cyber attacks.
Your website needs it to ensure safety.
Importance of SSL Certificate for Websites
SSL Certificate for websites builds a secured and reliable reputation for websites. It keeps user data secure, helps verify website ownership, prevents cyber attackers from stealing information, creates a phishing website, and conveys trust to users.
Data Protection
The primary function of an SSL Certificate is to provide secure server-client communication. Every exchanged information between the server and user is encrypted. No one can open the data, and only the intended recipient can access it.
An SSL Certificate helps websites secure their user information such as:
- Login credentials
- Personal information
- Bank account information
- Card transactions
- Legal documents and records
- Proprietary information
Any crucial information stored becomes an undecipherable format by SSL. Files and relevant information are protected against hackers and identity thieves.
Identity Verification
As the digital space becomes crowded, several users make it deceptive. Before SSL Certificates became mandatory for websites, users became easier to deceive on the Internet. Although some Internet users do it for fun, to pull pranks, others experience fraud and theft— clearly, the hard way.
A man did a purchase transaction through a website, only to find out it was a phishing site. You do not want your belongings to be taken away, right? That’s why identity verification becomes the most sought benefit of most website developers.
The second core function of an SSL Certificate is to provide authentication to websites. Businesses do not easily receive certification, and they have to undergo a validation process done by the Certificate Authority (CA). SSL Certificates ensures no imposter can recreate the fake website scene.
After you have proved your identity, websites receive trust indicators that vouch for the integrity of your business and website.
Higher Search Engine Rank
Google algorithm endlessly updates over time. In 2014, HTTPS-enabled websites had more advantages than regular ones. It has been evident for SEO experts to show the correlation between higher search engine ranks and HTTPS.
Let’s say you have similar content from another website, and the only difference between the two is one is an SSL-enabled website, while the other isn’t. As mentioned, a website with SSL Certificate has more recognition helping it have a slight rank increase. Even Google Webmaster Trends Analysts suggest SSL is part of the search ranking algorithm of Google.
Who refuses to have their website ranked on the first page of Google search? No one, right? Every website owner and digital marketer yearns for that spot.
Improves Customer Trust
Digital marketers and website developers also refer SSL (Secure Socket Layer) Certificate as TTL or (Trust Transmitting Layer). If from a website owner’s perception SSL provides authentication and encryption, from the customer’s point of view, SSL provides their safety and security.
Customers look for signs that tell their data is secured. Websites with SSL Certificate have a padlock on their URL bar, so if the website visitor sees it, they are confident to share their data to your website.
A trustworthy website encourages potential customers to do business with you and revisit your website for resources.
PCI DSS Requirements Compliance
You must comply with the PCI DSS requirements if you accept online payments. Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard is required for start-up and global businesses that handle cardholder data. You have to annually validate and renew your compliance to ensure the security of the card transactions in the payment industry.
Among the requirements of PCI DSS are installing and maintaining a firewall configuration, protecting stored data, and encrypting data transmission; an SSL Certificate provides these requirements.
Thus, if you find applying for an SSL Certificate a hassle, you must accept it as part of your hustle.
Follow the Mandate: Get an SSL Certificate
In 2018, Google made SSL Certificate mandatory to ensure digital consumers have a safer web browsing experience. Websites without an SSL Certificate are flagged and penalised by Google. You can see a “Not Secure” prompt on the URL bar of an unsecured website. Worse, there is a possibility these unsecured websites may be blocked and become inaccessible on the browser.
That’s why whether you are managing a personal blog or a shopping portal, an SSL Certificate is mandatory. It is best to follow the mandate than lose your potential customers. Do you want your website flagged as unsecured? What are you waiting for? Have an SSL Certificate to add a robust layer of protection to your website.