Online security is a concern that many people have while browsing the web, especially if they’re handing over credit card information and other personal details. How do we know which websites we can trust and which ones we can’t? This is where SSL certificates come in. Read on to find out more about SSL and whether your website needs it.

What is an SSL certificate?

You may have noticed a little padlock icon next to the URL of some websites you visit, along with the letters “https” at the front of the URL. This indicates that the website has an SSL certificate. If it doesn’t the URL will start with “http” instead, and the padlock icon won’t be there.

So, what does this mean? If a website has an SSL certificate, then any data passed between the user and the website is encrypted. This keeps that data private, preventing scams and phishing attacks. It shows the user that your website is safe to browse and submit information to.

Why do you need one?

Any website that requests information from its users should have an SSL certificate. If you run an e-commerce store, then SSL is extremely important. Many people won’t buy from a website if they don’t trust it, and that padlock in their browser bar is a symbol of trust. If you want to make sales online, then you need an SSL certificate in order to be successful.

But encryption isn’t just important for those selling online. Google places a lot of importance on online security. So much so that an SSL certificate now counts as one of their ranking factors. This means that it will be much harder for your site to show up near the top of the search results if you don’t have an SSL certificate.

And it’s not just a way of protecting your users, either. Encryption is a two-way street, meaning it protects you as well as visitors to your site. Having an SSL certificate also helps you to avoid scams and prevents your website from being hacked. Security breaches for you or your customers will create a lot of hassle and potential legal problems, so it’s best to avoid all of this with an SSL certificate.

With Hallen Media’s website design services, we ensure that all our clients have up-to-date and secure websites to keep them safe and give their users the best experience possible. Get in touch if you need a website for your business or if your current website is in need of an SSL certificate.