Have you just created a new website and are on the fence about whether or not to purchase an SSL certificate? You’ve probably heard time and time again about how it’s so crucial for the safety and security of your site, but is it really that big a deal? If this sounds like your thought process, you’ve come to the right place. This article will outline in 3 points why SSL certificates are a pretty big deal and why they’re essential for websites.
Table of Contents
1. SSL certificates protect not just your site but your users too
Maybe one thing that puts you off SSL is that you already have pretty robust security precautions in place. Why add SSL to that? Well, SSL is still essential even if you already have a pretty secure site because it’s only one element of security that serves a pretty fundamental purpose: encrypting the connection of anyone who visits your site.
Without SSL, users may be at risk of hacking attacks like man-in-the-middle attacks. If you have an e-commerce store that requires users to hand over credit card details or other information, an SSL certificate ensures that this information remains private and doesn’t end up in the hands of malicious actors looking to commit fraud. Furthermore, users now know to look for the SSL padlock symbol when visiting new sites. If they don’t see it, they probably won’t engage with your site the way you want them to. That brings us nicely to our next point.
2. SSL certificates ensure websites load in web browsers every time
Did you know that major web browsers like Safari, Chrome, and Edge favor websites that have SSL certificates? It’s true. Encryption is so vital that if a website doesn’t have an SSL certificate, it won’t load for users trying to access it right away. First, they’ll flash a warning, stating that the site they’re trying to visit is “not secure” and that they should proceed with caution. Would you proceed to a site after a warning like that? Not likely. So an SSL is essential if you want visitors on your site.
3. SSL certificates improve search engine ranking
This one’s a key benefit of having an SSL. Google has been a critical promoter of HTTPS everywhere for years now, meaning that it places a great deal of emphasis on getting an SSL for your site. So much so that websites with SSL will always be ranked more favorably than websites without SSL. If you want to improve your site’s chance of getting organic traffic, an SSL is a no-brainer.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this article convinced you of the importance of SSL for every website. Get yours ASAP to reap all the benefits of SSL, from protecting users and having your site work in every web browser to improving your site’s SEO from the get-go.
Read also: What is a Wildcard SSL?