SSL certificates - taking advantage of a secure site

Traditionally an SSL certificate was considered something only required for eCommerce websites to ensure naughty people didn't get hold of your customer's credit cards.

However over the last 12 months there has been a growing trend in standard websites utilising the https:// protocol. Now all website owners should be considering SSLs for their website.

Why? What started this trend

In short, Google played their hand. Being the most popular search engine in the world, when they say jump....

Google announced sometime ago that they wanted to "encourage all website owners to switch from HTTP to HTTPS to keep everyone safe on the web". Now its starting to take effect, espcially as they now rank domains higher that start https:// higher. With search engine optimisation (SEO) still king, its an obvious step to get a quick, if small win with Google... and with SEO, every little helps!

Wait, what is an SSL certificate?

An SSL (secure socket layer) certificate is a digital 'endorsement' of your website and helps prove that your website is in fact your own. Additionally it aids in securing the information that is sent from your customer's computer to your site and visa versa. 

When an SSL is in place on a website you will traditionally see the 'padlock' symbol to indicate its secured. More expensive SSL's can be purchased to provide more visual indicators, such as the company name shown in the address bar, or the bar appearing 'green':

I'm not fussed about Google ranking, and I don't have a store...

If you have any kind of input on your website, even a contact or registration form, then you may still want to consider an SSL - because you are protecting that input by encrypting it between the visitor and the webserver.. As more and more people become aware of secure web browsing they will  expect to be reassured by an SSL certificate before they start inputting any personal details.

How do I set one up?

Luckily, establishing an SSL for your website is fairly straightforward, and there are quite a few cost effective options which involve an annual cost. Get in touch and we will be happy to help.