It goes without saying that security is a top priority with any business website we design and build at V3 Media. It doesn’t matter how big or small it is, if it shows even the slightest insecure feature, it’s not going to get launched until that issue is fixed first. We take our clients’ privacy very seriously, and that’s why whenever we build a website that SSL certification is applied.

You may be wondering whether that little detail is worth even getting for your business. You may ask, “Isn’t a site with a regular old HTTP address enough?” Sadly (in your case), the answer to that is a very firm no. Here are the top three reasons why all business websites should absolutely be secured with SSL certification now and going forward.

What is SSL?

SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layers, and they are the key means of encrypting information between browsers and servers. When SSL is activated on a website, it creates an encrypted tunnel that ensures the data sent to it is secured. This means that private and sensitive information such as credit card numbers and ID numbers are less likely to be stolen from hackers and cybercriminals. Without that SSL certification, however, you guessed it, that private information can be accessed by such unsavoury people.

Now for the reasons this matters so much and why your business’s website needs it.

  1. Boost your site’s security

Any business owner who takes their customers seriously will want a secure website from the get-go. As we mentioned in our previous blog post regarding site speed (which you can read here if you’d like), customers are more likely to click through to a website only if they think it is trustworthy. By settling on having a website built without SSL security, you are intentionally claiming to customers that you could care less about their security and where or who gets their private information—that’s not really a good idea!

If you care about your privacy as much as your customers, you cannot move forward with a new site unless it has this form of security included. To not do so means putting everyone at huge financial risk.

  1. Boost your site’s SEO

Yes, SSL can even affect this aspect. Security goes hand in hand with search engine optimization (SEO) in that the more secure your website is, the more likely people will rely on it to use. The more people who use your website, the more likely search engines are going to rate it highly on SERPs as a website worth clicking on when online. It’s also worth mentioning that Google’s general guidelines state that they encourage you to secure your site with HTTPS (you can read the guidelines here).

While SSL is not the only white hat SEO tactic to gain a good authority ranking online, it’s the smartest thing to have whether you’re updating your site’s certification or getting a new website launched in general. When it comes to white hat SEO, having SSL is a step you absolutely need to take.

  1. Boost your site’s credibility

Do you want your customers to take your business seriously, as much as your competitors? If so, securing a site with SSL will help with that. If you need to store personal information of any kind for your customers, for example e-mail addresses, then securing your site with SSL is a must because it means it’ll encrypt that information and keep it away from hackers.

By ensuring this form of encryption takes place, you are indirectly informing your customers that any information they provide will not be compromised or sold to third party members, or stolen. Credibility is as important to online brands as security is because without it, the struggle to both retain and attract customers to your business is going to be even harder. If you need your site to be deemed as credible, do some legwork and get that certification.

Too many security problems? You need a new site

If you have been relying on an older hosting plan, or you still don’t think SSL is worth the time and money, think again. Going back to Google, they will flag a website as unsafe if you insist on continuing to use anything less than HTTPS, such as HTTP. It’s not only Google that’s enforcing it either; pretty much all search engines you can think of are doing the same.

Our hosting packages include guaranteed SSL certification for new business websites from the get-go, and we offer several other solid services should your business need a new website.  Give us a call if you’d like to not only have a secure website, but also a fast, functional, and beautiful one.