If you haven’t heard of SSL, an acronym that stands for Secure Sockets Layer, you’d be wise to pay attention. That’s because an SSL certificate is essential for any website or blog, big or small. It protects the content and data on those websites and ensure reliability. People are constantly trying to make the web a safer place and create more digital trust. The General Data Protection Regulation, which came into effect on the 25th of May 2018, is one example of a historical change in data protection. Owning an SSL certificate has become the norm and gives customers peace of mind when shopping, because they know with the certificate that their information is being dealt with securely and safe from hackers or identity thieves.
Allaying these fears is no trivial matter either. When dealing with small businesses, it is very common and understandable for potential customers to worry about their security. After all, your small business website is likely asking them for vital information such as their name and address, or even their credit card number. Any reassurance for website visitors that their information is safe will go a long way, and having an SSL certificate gives helps show that your site is reliable and trustworthy. According to Domain.me, only 64% of websites are secure, which means there is a lot more work to do in the domain of online security. Why does your small business website need to be added to the list of secured websites? Here’s three very good reasons to add SSL:
All consumers expect their information to be protected when they shop online for products and services. An SSL Certificate shows the client that the website is verified and that it is using secured encryption software. When making transactions online it is important to have that extra layer of security because there are hackers, identity thieves, and other parties out there that are trying to get a hold of your important information like bank account number, credit card number, etc. Customers want to trust that their data is locked securely. So, if you own a small business and have an SSL certificate on your website, you are just that much better and not “small” in terms of security. This information gives small business customers that push that they need to purchase from them rather than the big box retailer, who they know they can trust.
Authentication helps verify ownership of your website. Many times, websites aren’t legitimate and can take advantage of people through fraud. They may look legitimate and trustworthy, but turn out to be the opposite. Having an SSL certificate affirms that the website can be trusted and there is a validation process for every website to receive the certificate. Having a website for a business is very important and crucial towards success but taking that extra step to make it look reputable makes a huge difference.
Google is now paying more attention to SSL certification. As of 2017, Google started warning users when accessing websites that are not SSL certified. If a website requires you to enter details, such as a login or a form submission, and it doesn’t have the https prefix, Google will alert users to the fact that the site may not be secure. If your small business website has this SSL certification, Google will now most likely recognize you as safe and help customers realize that. Google wants a more secure web and is making HTTPS the standard for all websites going forward, leaving the days of just HTTP behind us. It’s crucial that your business doesn’t get left behind!
With cybercrime rates skyrocketing, internet users are more cautious than ever. Once they know that you’re a legitimate entity, they’re far more likely to do business with you and revisit your site. No matter which website you have, from a personal blog to any shopping portal, you should consider SSL as mandatory. By not adding it to your site, you may very well face a loss of visitors, which is something no website owner likes to see. Ensuring that your site has SSL helps you rank higher on Google, adds trusts, and helps you close more sales. It shouldn take you an hour to implement, or a few days at the most, but then your website is secure as can be!
