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What is an SSL certificate?
SSL certificate stands for Secure Sockets Layer. And refers to a web standard in computer security that allows encryption of communications between the web server and the visitor’s browser.
In the previous article we talked about creating an email database and how to use your site to collect information from visitors.
Now it is all the more necessary to know that it is important not only to have this information but and protect them.
How do you do this? An SSL certificate is one such method.
(This post contains some affiliate links. Should you click an affiliate link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.)
Why do you need an SSL certificate?
If you are now hearing about the SSL certificate for the first time and are thinking about what else you need, you can find the answers below.
For security
Data transferred in text format or in an unencrypted form can be intercepted, compromised, and stolen. Think only of online transactions, which often involve sending personal information such as bank card details, user, and password.
Hackers who intercept such unencrypted information will have access to all this information. They will be able to use it at will, usually for purchases of which you are unaware.
Trust and security are what make people provide personal information. If you have an online store, you should be even more concerned about the security of the information processed by your site.
In this context, an SSL-certified website provides a guarantee of Internet security, encrypting any information before transmitting it to the server. And thus minimizing the risk of important data being stolen by third parties. Once encrypted, the information can only be decrypted by the server to which it is addressed.
For authenticity
In addition to the role of encrypting information, the SSL certificate also provides a guarantee of authenticity.
In other words, you can be sure that the information you transmit online will reach the right server and not someone with hidden interests.
And why is this important? By its nature, the Internet facilitates the sending of information to multiple computers by visitors to a site. Any of these can claim to be, in fact, your site and can trick customers into providing their personal information. With an SSL certificate installed, this problem is avoided.
For SEO
Google prefers SSL-certified sites. For some time, the search engine has been using as a criterion for positioning in its https results, i.e those sites with a secure connection. This basically means that sites that are SSL certified will enjoy a higher ranking, whether they are blogs, presentation sites, or online stores.
And now, think pragmatically. If your site is SSL certified and your competition is not, Google will prefer yours and position it ahead of your competition. Lovely prospect, isn’t it?
Why is Google doing this? For its own credibility. By prioritizing secure sites, it shows the world that it cares about online safety, and especially your safety when using it for various searches.
For trust
Securing a site is graphically represented by a padlock, which appears in the browser before the address of that site. It’s like a kind of badge that shows everyone that your site is secure. This way, visitors will have more confidence in your site and will be more tempted to buy, especially if we are talking about an online store.
For sales
It seems that securing information can also influence sales. A study by Business Insider shows that 74% of online shopping carts are abandoned before ordering, but that 64% of them could turn into sales if visitors were certain that their data is secure.
How to get an SSL certificate?
SSL certificates are offered by various IT companies, and the acquisition costs start from a few tens of euros/year. There are several types of SSL certificates, each with its own features and associated costs.
The best part is that you can get the SSL certificate for free if you have a Bluehost hosting subscription.
Conclusion
The SSL certificate is essential for the protection of your site, even if it does not collect personal information such as bank card data from users.
It is essential because it provides confidentiality, security, and data integrity in a world that is increasingly confronted with cyber attacks.
