An SSL Certificate or Secure Sockets Layer, is a security measure used to create a safe connection between your web server and the user’s browser. The SSL Certificate digitally binds information to a cryptographic key with small data files, securing information and validating your website’s identity. You will know that a website is protected with an SSL Certificate when the URL starts with https:// instead of http:// and there is a padlock icon in the browser bar. The addition of the “s” in the URL, is a sure sign that the site owner took preventative measures to ensure your information will be safe from hackers.
SSL Certificates are a must for websites that collect sensitive and private information from users. Information such as names, addresses, social security numbers and credit card information have to be protected. The last thing you want is a visitor making a purchase or signing up on your site and their information gets compromised by a hacker.
You do not necessarily need an SSL Certificate if you are not selling or collecting information from your site visitors, but it is still recommended. Why? Besides protecting sensitive information, an SSL Certificate assures site visitors and potential customers that your site is secure and legitimate. Google Chrome is the most popular browser that people use when searching online. Google Chrome now flags websites that do not have an SSL certificate as “Not Secure”.
When users see this warning next to your site’s URL, it could likely cause hesitation to continue on your website. SSL Certificates also help with SEO (search engine optimization) rankings, as https-encrypted sites are listed higher in search engine results. To sum it all up, potential customers are more likely to find you and stay on your site when they know it is secure
Many web hosts provide SSL certificates that you can purchase with a hosting plan or separately. Blue Host includes SSL Certificates with all of their hosting plans. You can get your SSL Certificate with or without a hosting plan using my following affiliate link.
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stephanie@smaysdesigns.com
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