Google and other search engines are favoring sites with secure browsing enabled. If you want your website to rank higher in the search engine results, you need to get an SSL installed.

What is an SSL, you ask? It stands for “Secure Sockets Layer” and is used to securely connect a user to a server. In simple terms, an SSL certificate encrypts information from users so hackers cannot see it or steal it.

An SSL also makes sure that users are connecting to your site and not a fake version of it. Let’s take a look at why you need an SSL for your website, its benefits, and how to set one up on your own website.

What is an SSL and why do you need one?

SSL stands for “Secure Sockets Layer” and is used to securely connect a user to a server. An SSL certificate encrypts information from users so hackers cannot see it or steal it. An SSL also makes sure that users are connecting to your site and not a fake version of it.

SSLs are commonly used on e-commerce websites that sell products or services online. They’re also used on blogs, forums, and other websites that collect sensitive information from users.

SSLs are used to keep all of that information private and safe. This is especially important if you’re using any type of log-in system on your website. If a user logs in to your website, they don’t want a hacker to be able to log into their account.

SSLs protect users and their data by encrypting the information being sent and received on the website. This ensures that no one can access the data unless they have the correct decryption key. And even if a hacker does have the decryption key, the data will still be encrypted, so it won’t do them any good.

Benefits of Installing an SSL on your Website

Improved Security – An SSL ensures that all of your visitors’ data and information is encrypted. This means that even if a hacker manages to get a hold of this data, it will be unreadable, which means that they can’t do any harm with it.

Trustworthy Website – Websites that have an SSL installed are ranked higher on Google and other search engines. This is because they are more trustworthy, and Google places a high value on security.

Improved Conversions – If you own a website that sells products or services, you’ve probably noticed that some people are hesitant to give you payment information. An SSL will increase the number of people who will place an order with you because they don’t have to fear their credit card information being stolen.

Easy To Install – Installing an SSL is a really simple process. All you have to do is purchase a SSL certificate, enter some information about your website, and you’re done. You will also find most hosting providers offer this for free with their hosting plans.

SSLs Aren’t Just for E-Commerce – You don’t have to be an e-commerce business to use SSLs. In fact, they are pretty essential for any website that deals with user information.

How to install an SSL on your website

If you already have an SSL installed, you can skip down to “FAQ: Is installing an SSL the same thing as creating a site seal?” Otherwise, here’s what you need to do:

Choose a Certificate Authority Brand – Before you purchase a certificate, you’ll need to choose a Certificate Authority (CA) brand. You can use a Certificate Authority that you’re already familiar with, or you can purchase a new one. Keep in mind that different brands will cost you different amounts.

Set up Hosting – You’ll need to set up hosting for your website. You can use cloud hosting or a virtual private server (VPS). It’s important to note that different providers have different requirements for installing SSLs. You’ll need to make sure that your host meets the requirements for installing an SSL.

Purchase a Certificate – Once you’ve chosen a CA and set up hosting, you can purchase a certificate. You can do this directly through your host or use a third-party SSL provider.

Install Your Certificate – Once you’ve purchased and received your SSL certificate, you can install it on your website. The installation process varies depending on the type of SSL certificate you purchase and where you purchased it.

*PLEASE NOTE – A reputable hosting provider should offer you a free SSL when you sign up for all your websites. This will mean you do not have to buy an additional SSL certificate, and the install process will be done automatically for you.

FAQ: Is installing an SSL the same thing as creating a site seal?

No. While a site seal is a visual representation of a website’s SSL, installing an SSL is the process of setting up an SSL on your site. You can think of an SSL as a lock on your website, and installing an SSL is the act of setting that lock in place.

A website seal, on the other hand, is a badge that’s displayed somewhere on a website to let visitors know that the site is secure. You can do this by adding a padlock or another seal to your website. You can usually create a site seal through your website host or by using a tool like SSL Site Seal.

Conclusion

There are many benefits to installing an SSL on your website, including improved security and more trustworthy websites. Additionally, installing an SSL is a simple process that doesn’t cost very much.

Whether you’re an e-commerce business or you just collect sensitive information from users, an SSL is a simple way to keep your information safe and secure. If you want to rank higher in search engine results and improve the experience of your website visitors, you need to get an SSL installed.

In this day in age, you cannot get away with not having an SSL Certificate installed. Google will instantly flag up your website to your users as ‘not secure’ (and rightly so). Sign up with a reputable hosting provider for your website and this will never be an issue for you.