SSL Certificates: What Are They And How Can They Benefit My Website?

A SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a certificate displayed on a website that authenticate the identity and also encrypts information, enabling details such as passwords, addresses and card details to be entered without being intercepted. How important is it for your website? Lets have a look!

Do I need a SSL certificate?

Depending on the type of business that you have will depend on if you really need a SSL. If you have an online shop, or you have a recruitment company for example, then you will be required to have the SSL certificate. You will be processing card payments via your online shop and capturing customer information, on a recruitment website you will also capture information such as name, address, contact details and CV’s. This information needs to be secure and encrypted. Whereas if you had a website that simply provided information to the public, such as a local gardener or the library with the opening times and location, then you are not collecting any information, so it is not as important. It does, however, provide customers with a sense of security and trust in a company.

How much does a SSL certificate cost?

The best part of the SSL Certificate is that it is 100% free! Years ago you did have to pay and you also had to renew them on a yearly basis, however these days, there is simply no reason for a company to not have this and for it to be displayed on their website. There is a company called ‘Let’s Encrypt’ (https://letsencrypt.org/) that offer the certificates for free.

Will my website benefit from it?

Without any hesitation at all, yes. The answer is 100% yes! A SSL certificate can only be provided to websites and owners who have been verified, therefore drastically reducing fake websites trying to obtain personal data by copying the look of the original website.  Even if you feel you do not need it, you probably do! If shows customers that you are a trustworthy company and that their data is safe. Not only will it provide customers with trust, it will also help you as a company. The encryption makes it very hard for the data to be intercepted, meaning that it is harder for potential hackers to steal the data that is being submitted, which keeps yourself and your customers safe and out of a potential risk.

If you want any more information about SSL Certificates, or you need a hand adding one to your website, get in touch and we will be more than happy to help!

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