If you’ve been considering whether or not you should buy an SSL certificate, you’ve come to the right place. Widely lauded as a security essential, many people are still skeptical about the supposed benefits of SSL. If that sounds like you, read on to learn why SSL is so important.
- It protects your users from fraud
This is the key benefit of SSL. Using a protocol known as TLS, an SSL certificate encrypts the connection between the server it is installed on and any client linked to it. In other words, when someone uses a browser (client) to visit your site (server), any data sent over the connection is scrambled, basically rendered unreadable to malicious actors who try to eavesdrop. This measure is vital on all website types, but particularly on websites where users are expected to hand over sensitive data, such as e-commerce stores or websites with forms or login pages. You want users to feel safe using your site, right? Well, the familiar padlock symbol in the address bar of an SSL-secured site will send the message that your site is trustworthy.
- It ensures your site works in every web browser
Over the past few years, more people have realized the importance of SSL, and major online players have implemented policies that encourage all website owners to get on the SSL train. A big one is web browsers. Most web browsers may not even load your site unless you have installed an SSL certificate. They’ll send users trying to visit your site a warning about how it’s not secure. Few people visit a website after getting a message like that. So if you want to ensure you don’t lose users before they even get a chance to see your site, get an SSL certificate.
- It can improve your search engine ranking
Google pushed the campaign for “HTTPS everywhere” before anyone else did, and SSL has been a key search engine ranking factor for several years. While Google’s ranking factors are pretty vague, they have said in the past that a site with SSL will always rank higher in their SERPS than a website without one. So if you want to improve your site’s SEO right off the bat, installing an SSL is a pretty easy way to do that.
Conclusion
Adding an SSL to your site is basically all benefits, with no downsides. So why put it off? Get yours today and start reaping the benefits of a more secure site.
