Benefits of Using an SSL Certificate on Your Website

SSL certificates are becoming an online norm day by day. In recent years, it's not very common to see popular websites not using SSL and HTTPS to protect their information. Using an SSL certificate is not only essential for security but also crucial for the SEO (search engine optimization) performance of your website.

SSL certificates authenticate that your website is genuine and assures that there won’t be any phishing attempts or unauthorized duplication. Moreover, especially on websites conducting online sales, it indicates that all information traveling between your site and visitors is encrypted.

Obtaining an SSL certificate for your website might seem complex, but it's not as daunting as it seems. After a simple installation process, you take the first step to benefit your website in various ways and keep your visitors' data secure. Consequently, your site visitors will be assured that their data is protected and can spend time on your site without concerns about security.

• Increased Trust in Your Website by Customers
• Securing Data on Your Website
• Verifying Your Identity
• Maintaining Your PCI Compliance
• Enhancing Your Site's Value in SEO

1. Increased Trust in Your Website by Customers via SSL

As mentioned earlier, SSL certificates are critical for customer trust, signaling to your visitors that their data will be secure. Particularly, if you've installed an OV or EV SSL, your visitors can view details about your organization, increasing the likelihood of doing business with you or revisiting your site.

2. SSL Protects Data on Your Website

The primary function of an SSL certificate is to secure server-client communication. When SSL is applied, every piece of information is encrypted. This aids in protecting sensitive personal data like identification details, passwords, credit card numbers, etc., while dealing with your site's private information, helping guard against potential hacker attacks.

3. SSL Usage Authenticates Your Identity

One of the most valuable tasks of an SSL certificate is providing authentication for the website where it's employed. Identity authentication is among the most crucial aspects of web security. When you want to install an SSL certificate on your site, you need to undergo a verification process from an independent third party called a Certificate Authority (CA). Depending on the type of certificate, the CA verifies your and your organization's identity. After proving your identity, your website receives trust indicators that users see, confirming who you are.

4. SSL Enables You to Maintain PCI Compliance

There are various ways to accept payments on your website, and if you're resolving it with different platforms, some third-party channels demand specific standards from your application. For instance, if you want to comply with Payment Card Industry (PCI) guidelines, the importance of HTTPS usage is high on that standards list.

5. SSL Usage Enhances the Value of Your Site in SEO

Google highlighted that since 2014, effective use of HTTPS is a ranking factor in its algorithm changes. Particularly, to avoid any negative impact on organic rankings, using an SSL certificate is recommended. Additionally, some browsers like Chrome alert users when they visit a site without HTTPS or with an invalid certificate, which might increase the site's bounce rate immediately, having a negative effect on your SEO.

SSL certificates signal to potential visitors that your website is secure and capable of protecting their data. It fosters trust and encourages your audience to revisit your site, especially if you're an e-commerce platform, as it allows them to browse and shop on your site with confidence. This is a factor that increases both trust in your brand and, ultimately, your sales.

Keeping subscriptions for SSL certificates active, transitioning from the "http" version to the "https" version, and ensuring proper redirects, there's no reason not to benefit from this update for your site. Whether you own a blog or an online store, having an SSL certificate has become a necessity. Considering the potential negative consequences of not following such standards for your website and visitor base, we recommend integrating "https" into your life as soon as possible.