Have you ever been doing some shopping online and when it came time to pay with your credit card, you stop and ask yourself, “Is this site safe? Do I want to enter my credit card information, here?” If so, you are not alone. If not, what is wrong with you?! These days, it is rare to find an online shop that does not have an SSL certificate. But even if you don’t necessarily sell things online, I aim to answer the question: why do I need an SSL certificate for my website?
What is an SSL Certificate?
SSL is a security method that connects a website directly to the browser so that the visitor’s information can’t be intercepted and stolen by hackers. Although some complex things happen behind the scenes, it is easy to understand how SSL works. So how does SSL work? In short, the SSL certificate is like your driver’s license or ID: you can hand that to someone to verify your identity before they will let you pass. The same works for the website: it gives the browser its SSL certificate, the browser goes to check to see if it is a valid ID, and if it is verified, then they can agree to pass user data privately.
Why do I need an SSL Certificate?
Security is not the sexiest part of web development, but it should be addressed, nonetheless. Website security is more important than it has ever been, and tomorrow it will be even more important than today. You must be cautious with your visitors’ data when they visit your site. If you have a security breach, that news could spread quickly, harming your reputation and your business. No one wants to visit a website where your data can be stolen. But having an SSL certificate can be your first line of defense against online threats.
You can build trust with your audience by just using the HTTPS protocol. When people go to your site and see HTTPS in the address bar or the padlock next to your name, they will be more inclined to share their customer info because they know it will be transferred securely.
In addition to security, Google says you can boost your search results if you use SSL versus not using it! So having extra security helps your SEO efforts by making your site look more attractive to search engines.
How do you get an SSL Certificate?
Now you know why you need an SSL certificate, but how do you get one? You can purchase an SSL certificate from many places. There are many, many different types of certificates to choose from, so you want to get the one that’s right for you. Some are expensive, others are cheaper but with fewer features. You can contact me and I can help you find the right SSL certificate for you. And if you already have a certificate, I can install your SSL certificate onto your server for you.
