SSL Certificate
SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer. Simply defined, it’s the standard technology for keeping an internet connection secure and safeguarding any sensitive data that is being sent between two systems, preventing criminals from reading and modifying any information transferred, including potential personal details. The two systems can be a server and a client (for example, a shopping website and browser) or server to server (for example, an application with personal identifiable information or with payroll information).
You may be asking “Why is this important to me?”. Well, if you want to create a new website to sell your goods or services, or even if it is just for a blog site, it has become a necessity. Starting from 2014, Google announced that having an SSL certificate installed on your website will increase your ranking position, which is one great reason to use SSL. But that is just an additional benefit you receive along with other key benefits.
SSL Safeguards Data
While dealing with sensitive data such as IDs, passwords, credit card numbers, etc., SSL helps protect you against hackers and scammers. As the data is turned into the undecipherable format by SSL, hacker’s skills are no match against the encryption technology of SSL certificates.
SSL Confirms Your Identity
When you want to install an SSL certificate, you must go through a validation process set by an independent third party called a Certificate Authority (CA). Depending on the type of certificate, the CA verifies the identity of you and your organization. Once you have proved your identity, your website gets trust indicators vouching for your integrity. When users see them, they know who they’re talking to.
SSL Promotes User Trust
Apart from encryption and authentication, SSL certificates are vital from a customer trust point of view. The easy to identify signs inform the users that the data they send will be secured. And if you’ve installed an OV (Organization Validated), DV (Domain Validated) or EV (Extended Validation) SSL, they can see your organization’s details. Once they know that you’re a legitimate entity, they’re far more likely to do business with you or even revisit your site.
Google Search Ranking
Whether you are updating your site, converting to an ecommerce site, or creating any type of new website, all of these features will help your Google search ranking results. Google has stated that sites with https will be ranked higher than those on the older less secure format of http. Since your website is the foundation of your SEO campaign, an SSL certificate is vital to the success of your campaign.
