If you own a website, you’ve probably heard the term “SSL certificate.” But what is it, exactly? And why is it important for your business? Let’s break down what an SSL certificate is and why it matters to both you and your customers.
What Does SSL Mean?
SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer. It’s a security protocol that encrypts data sent between two computers over the Internet—in this case, between a customer’s browser and your website’s server. This encryption helps to ensure that any sensitive information exchanged over the web (such as credit card numbers or passwords) cannot be intercepted by malicious third parties.
The Benefits of Installing an SSL Certificate
A correctly installed SSL is essential, particularly if you are collecting any kind of data from users – whether that’s via a website login, e-commerce functions, or a contact form. In addition to keeping your users’ data safe, an SSL also helps boost confidence in your brand by showing end users that you take security seriously. If you’re not sold yet, Google also gives preference in its search engine rankings to sites that have installed an SSL certificate—so if you want more people to find your site online, you need one!
How to Obtain An SSL Certificate
Obtaining an SSL certificate is not difficult— you can either purchase one from a reputable third-party vendor or sometimes via your host. (Note- if you have hosting with me, your website comes with an SSL free of charge!) Once the certificate has been installed on your server, visitors will be able to access secure pages on your website. Users will notice pages are accessed via HTTPS rather than HTTP protocol – this means they can feel confident that their data is being transmitted securely when they enter personal information into forms or make payments on your site.
Having an SSL certificate installed on your website should be one of the top priorities for any business owner. It will help you protect your customers’ personal information while also building confidence in your brand. Thankfully, obtaining and installing an SSL certificate isn’t difficult. With the right steps, you can have peace of mind knowing that both you and your customers are protected while browsing online.
