Moving to secure websites with SSL

by | Apr 24, 2018 | News

I now offer extra security on all websites with the ability to install SSL certificates at a small additional cost. Read on to understand more about security and the benefits it brings.

What’s it all about?

These days the URL of many websites start with https:// instead of the familiar http://. If you look into your browser bar while on this website, you will see exactly that.

Next to it, you will also notice the padlock symbol. This is how modern browsers show that you are on a site that uses SSL encryption. In some cases, they even include the name of the company. Both are signs that you are on a site that takes the privacy of their visitors seriously.

HTTPS stands for Hypertext Transport Protocol Secure. HTTP is the communication protocol usually used for facilitating web traffic.

What’s the difference?

The secure version uses an SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certificate to establish a connection between browser and server. That means any information that is exchanged gets encrypted. Encryption is the process of replacing plain text information (like usernames and passwords) with random numbers and letters. That way, they are no longer readable by humans and harder to make sense of if someone intercepts them.

Why move to a secure site?

if you have an online shop that handles credit card information or similarly sensitive data, moving your site to HTTPS is an absolute must. Clients want to trust your site and they should be able to. It is your responsibility to make that happen.

However, even if you “only” deal with normal login information, it’s not a bad idea to offer an extra layer of security and keep it safe. Your users will certainly appreciate it.

Also, HTTPS is a Sign of Trustworthiness and Authenticity. If visitors have the choice between your site without HTTPS and a competitor who has implemented it, chances are good they will decide against you.

Benefits for Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)

Not only do consumers expect you to make the move over to HTTPS, search engines do, too. Google officially announced that having an SSL certificate in place is now a ranking factor. What’s more – while weak at the moment, the importance of HTTPS will increase over time.

Faster website loading time

Encrypted websites are significantly faster, which is better for SEO and for visitors. A large number of visitors will leave a site if it doesn’t load in under 3 seconds!

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