These days, you can’t be too careful online. The Internet has connected us with people from all over the planet, including people who may mean us harm. That’s why it’s more important than ever to install SSL on your website.
SSL stands for “secure sockets layer.” SSL ensures that all data transmitted via a given website is encrypted.
The easiest way to tell if a website has installed SSL is by looking at the URL. If a website has SSL installed, the domain name will include “https://” instead of the default “http://.”
Additionally, websites that install SSL include an icon of a black checkmark somewhere on the site. Beside the checkmark are the words “VeriSign Trusted.”
In one word: security.
Websites are, in essence, a collection of pages. Anyone who is watching your internet traffic can grab whatever data you have pulled up.
Often, we think of big company and government websites that house sensitive data as the only ones who should concern themselves with security. After all, does it matter what we post on social sites such as Facebook and Twitter?
It does, actually. A traffic watcher will see your e-mail and password when you type it into a website that does not have SSL installed. Because the information is laid bare, they can grab that info and then log into your account and take more of your information.
When someone has your name, contact information, and photos, they can do a lot of damage. They can post your address and photos for the whole world to see, including potential predators. They can also close your account, start a new account as you, and damage your online reputation.
You don’t want to take any chances with your customers’ information. Whether you’re a Los Angeles truck accident lawyer or a New York construction company owner, you rely on customers using your website. And they rely on your site not risking a data compromise with their information.
When you take risks with data, you gain a reputation for not being trustworthy or reliable. Even if you’re lucky enough not to experience a hack, not securing your customers’ data will lead to customers leaving you or avoiding you all together.
An added benefit of installing SSL is increased SEO.
SEO (search engine optimization) is a web design process that influences search engines’ results. Nearly every professional website implements some sort of SEO plan in order to increase potential customer reach.
One way search engines determine how to rank your site is security. Having SSL installed on your site increases your site’s security, which in turn increases your ranking. The higher your ranking, the higher the probability of your website reaching potential customers.
To install SSL, you only need to purchase certification from your website’s host. Simple enough, right?
The hard part is updating your website to accommodate its new SSL. Necessary updates include relinking all current links as well as changing your Google Analytics and AdWords information. If you skip out on these updates, your site will malfunction and not be usable until you perform them.
High-quality web protection isn’t limited to just installing SSL. At SiteUptime, we offer around-the-clock web monitoring that protects you and your customers from hacks.
To find out more about the benefits of web moderation, reach out to us today!
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