Does my website need an SSL certificate?
Posted on March 12, 2020 by Mia Burns
What is an SSL certificate?
An SSL certificate, which stands for Secure Sockets Layer, is a type of digital certificate that provides authentication for websites. It means all communications between a browser and the website are encrypted. It is a similar idea to sealing an envelope to protect the contents when it travels through the postal system. As it ensures that all data passed between two parties remains secure, SSL encryption help to prevent hackers from stealing valuable information such as credit card numbers, bank information, names, and addresses.
How do I check if a website is secure or not?
You can tell if a website is secure when the browser address bar has a padlock symbol displaying on the very left of the bar. You can also check by looking at the website URL. If it uses https rather than http then it is secure.
Why do I need one?
An SSL certificate indicates that there is a secure connection between a personal device and a website. It provides authentication, encrypts sensitive information, and provides a level of trust. There are many reasons to make sure your website has an SSL certificate:
- It creates a secure connection between the browser and the server of the website
- Visitors are more likely to trust a website that is secured
- It helps to protect the information of website users
- Google ranks secured sites higher in search results
- It boosts conversions as your website appears trustworthy (84% of online shoppers say they abandon a purchase when they realise the website is insecure)
It might be tempting to dismiss your site as too small to be a target for hackers, but most interceptions are made electronically so there is no human there deciding who to attack.
What are the different types of SSL certificates?
There are three main types:
- Domain SSL – ideal for blogs and smaller websites
- Organisation SSL – for the bigger businesses
- Extended SSL – this one adds your display business name in the address bar
How do I get one?
Well, this one is easy peasy. You can phone us and we do all the admin and just send you your yearly renewals. Contact us now to find out more.
