What Is An SSL Certificate? And Why Your Business Website Needs One

Have you noticed that some website URLs begin with HTTP – while others start with HTTPS? The s stands for ‘secure encryption,’ which can only be guaranteed with an SSL certificate. If your business requires users to share sensitive and personal information, then it’s imperative to have a secured web connection.

What is an SSL certificate?

SSL stands for ‘secure sockets layer’ – it signifies that the connection between a browser and server has a higher level of security.

An SSL certificate encrypts the data that passes from a user’s computer to the target website and back. When a user enters information into your site, SSL guarantees it can securely travel from their browser to your web server.

The eCommerce world is increasingly vulnerable to data breaches, and website owners need to bolster their site security. Without SSL, your customers are at a higher risk of having their data stolen. And without encryption, your site is also at risk. Ultimately, SSL builds a secure environment for both visitors and website owners.

Why does my website need an SSL certificate?

1. Security

Online websites and businesses that ask users for personal information need SSL certificates. Businesses now store sensitive information like social security details and medical records online. This data is a gold mine for cybercriminals and identity thieves hunting for websites that lack security standards. The infographic below shows cybercrime will only get worse.

SSL certificates ensure everything from login credentials to online transactions is private and safely guarded. They also assure users they’re browsing a secure site that values their business. Read More: Top 10 Reasons NOT to Build Your Own Website

2. Rank higher in searches

Security is a top priority for Google. That’s why they rank websites with SSL certificates higher on their results pages than those without. And since 75% of people don’t scroll past the first page of SERPs, the higher you rank, the better.

As of October 2022, HTTP is a standard security technology adopted by 81.5% of websites. If your website doesn’t have an SSL certificate, you risk ranking lower than websites that do. Read More: SEO and Web Design: How to Build a Website That Ranks at the Top

3. Improve the user experience

User experience is becoming more and more important in SEO every year. Having an SSL certificate will positively affect user experience. How?

Remember, Google’s top priority is to “keep everyone safe on the web.” So, if your site doesn’t have an SSL certificate, you risk a lower search ranking and losing customers.

Google’s Chrome browser gives your site’s visitors visual cues like the one below that tell them it’s not secure.

This message will cause most visitors to quickly exit your site – resulting in a high bounce rate. A high bounce rate lowers your ranking, which results in less traffic and fewer visitors.

Now that SSL certificates have been used for over a decade, customers expect the padlock icon when making online purchases. Having one shows customers that your site is trustworthy and their information is protected. Read More: 10 Signs Your Business Needs a Website Redesign

4. Save money

Finally, SSL saves you money. A security breach is a legal problem, and any customer data compromised as a result of one could lead to substantial legal repercussions for your company. Adding SSL protects both your customers and your business.

Secure your website with an SSL certificate

As a company, you must protect your customers' personal information and eliminate any risk of compromised data. If you collect sensitive data from your users or process online payments, you must have an SSL certificate for your website. These digital certificates are vital because they secure your website by encrypting data sent from and to it.

At Impact Group Marketing, we have decades of experience creating secure websites for our clients – and we can do the same for you. Contact us today to see if your company needs an SSL certificate and how we can help you get one.