HTTPS – No Longer Just An Option
Google will label all websites that don’t have SSL certificates with a “Not Secure” warning in the URL bar by the end of 2017.
- Does your website gets user information in the form of login panels, contact forms, search bars, etc?
- Is your website on HTTP://?
Then now is the time to secure your website by getting an SSL certificate. The alternative? Your visitors will see a “Not Secure” warning on visiting your site. The result? A very challenging time for your business.
If your potential clients are deterred from submitting inquiries, or even landing on your website because they’re told they’re visiting a potentially dangerous site, then you’ll fall behind the competition.
If you have a website and you want to generate leads, make sales, or just tell people about your business, you need an SSL certificate.
What Is HTTPS?
When a website uses a SSL certificate, its address begins with https://. An SSL certificate protects your site, and its visitors, from digital bugs, worms and other nasty web viruses. It works to create an encrypted connection between your visitor’s browser and the server.
When visiting an HTTPS site, web browsers such as Google Chrome and Firefox display a green padlock icon. On websites that do not use HTTPS, Google’s Chrome browser, the most popular browser in the world, shows a clear “Not Secure” warning. In some cases, Chrome prevents users from even going to that site.
What impact do you think that would have on your customers? Not a good one!
Why Does My Site Need An SSL Certificate?
- Search engines and browsers much prefer SSL secure websites.
- Filling out a “Contact Us” form, signing up for a newsletter or completing a search requires sensitive information from site visitors. Visitors are not going to provide this information if they see a “Not Secure” warning on your site.
- Identity fraud is a valid concern and an SSL certificate confirms you are the legitimate, verified owner of your website; you are who you say you are. HTTPS builds trust.
- Are any of your pages password protected? Do you have a database-driven site with a login page for the administrator such as a WordPress site? Protect yourself from hackers. Don’t give them access to your website. The Internet is filled with bots hunting out poorly protected password pages. You don’t want to log on to your site only to find your pages have been defaced or deleted.
- No SSL certificate and you leave yourself open to hackers.
Every Website Needs To Make The Move To HTTPS
A few years ago SSL encryption helped websites rank higher in search results. Now SSL certification is vital if you want to stay on the Google ladder: no ssl certification means poorer rankings.
On sites that provide information and create leads for business, HTTPS tells your customers that your website is safe and that any information they share on that website will be secure. Creating an account, submitting a username or password, filling out a contact form, signing up for a newsletter, searching for something on your website: these are all methods of submitting data. If you, or any of your customers, can do any of these things, you must have an SSL certificate.
HTTPS Is Only For E-commerce Sites
This is no longer the case.
If you sell things and collect credit card or payment information on your website, there’s not even a debate. An SSL certificate is not optional as most payment gateways don’t even work properly without SSL.
The Time For SSL Is Now
Not so long ago, many businesses said they didn’t even need a website. Then they said they didn’t need a mobile-friendly website. How did that go for them? Not so well. The same thing is going to happen very soon with HTTPS.
You do need an SSL certificate on your website and the time to make the switch is now.
Don’t let an unsecured website ruin all your marketing efforts. We can quickly and smoothly get you running on HTTPS. If you’re ready to make your website more secure, protect all your hard work, get better search results on Google and create a better experience for your users, contact us today.
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