Installing an SSL certificate is an essential step for every website owner. Why? Let’s take a look at the key reasons.
Improve security
An SSL certificate contributes to the security of a website by providing a secure and encrypted connection between the web server and the visitor’s browser. When a visitor enters information on a website – such as a password, personal details, or credit card information – this information can easily be intercepted by malevolent actors without SSL. However, with SSL, this information is converted into unreadable text that can only be decoded by the intended recipient. This makes it significantly harder for cybercriminals to steal sensitive data.
Additionally, an SSL certificate helps verify the identity of the website. The certificate contains information about the owner of the website, and this information can be checked by the visitor. This helps protect against phishing attacks, where fraudsters create fake websites that look like legitimate ones to steal personal data. If a website has an SSL certificate, visitors can be sure that they are actually communicating with the domain they see in the address bar.
Lastly, having an SSL certificate compels all data sent to and from your website to go via HTTPS (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure) instead of HTTP. This means that even if data is intercepted, it is useless without the unique key used to encrypt the data. This offers an additional layer of protection for both the website owner and the visitors, making it harder for malevolent actors to access sensitive information.
Gain trust
Visitors to your website will see the padlock in their browser, indicating that the connection is secure. This can reassure them, especially if they need to enter (sensitive) personal data. Websites with an SSL certificate are also often regarded as more trustworthy, increasing the likelihood that visitors will take actions such as filling out a form or making a purchase.
In more comprehensive forms of SSL, not only the domain name but also company details (OV certificates) and even owner’s contact details (EV certificates) can be included. With an extended SSL certificate, a potential customer can ascertain with certainty who they are doing business with. More information about these forms can be found here.
Better listing in search engines
Installing an SSL certificate on your website is not only important for the safety of your visitors but it can also positively impact your visibility in Google’s search results. In 2014, Google announced that the use of HTTPS (which indicates that a website has an SSL certificate) is considered a ranking signal. This means that websites that have an SSL certificate installed might receive a slight preference in search results.
This is part of Google’s efforts to create a safer internet. By rewarding websites that provide secure connections, the company encourages website owners to take the security of their sites seriously. Although it is a “light” ranking signal, and hence might not weigh as heavily as high-quality content or incoming links, any improvement in search engine ranking is valuable in the competitive world of SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Therefore, installing an SSL certificate is a simple and effective step to make your website more visible in Google.
Prevent errors for visitors
Moreover, it’s important to know that certain web browsers, including Google Chrome, mark websites without an SSL certificate as ‘not secure’. This can deter visitors and lead to a higher bounce rate, meaning people leave your site quickly without interaction.
Comply with GDPR
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) imposes strict rules on companies about how they collect, store, and process personal data of EU citizens. One of these requirements is that companies must take appropriate technical measures to ensure the security of personal data. This is where the SSL certificate comes in. While having an SSL certificate alone is not sufficient to meet all GDPR requirements, it is a significant step towards protecting the privacy and security of users’ data, and thus an essential part of GDPR compliance.
Note: SSL doesn’t solve everything!
Lastly, it’s important to know that while installing an SSL certificate is an essential step, it’s just one aspect of website security. Other important measures include regularly updating your website and using strong passwords. But without a doubt, installing an SSL certificate is an important step to make your website more secure and win the trust of your visitors.
Incidentally, it is also important that the SSL certificate is correctly installed and its use is enforced. SSL certificates are not valid indefinitely. Keep a close eye on your expiration date and renew the SSL certificate in time.