Home > Empowering Tips > The Importance of SSL Certificate (HTTPS) for Websites
In today’s digital age, having a website is essential for any business or organization. However, simply having a website is not enough. It’s important to ensure that the website is secure, and one of the key components of website security is SSL (Secure Sockets Layer).
SSL is a security protocol that enables secure communication over the internet. When a website is installed with an SSL certificate, it enables the website to use HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure). As a result, the website’s URL will have a secure prefix of “https://” instead of the non-secure prefix of “http://”.
When a user visits a website with the HTTPS prefix it means that their connection to the website is encrypted and secure. This helps to protect sensitive information such as passwords, credit card details, and personal information from being intercepted or stolen by unauthorized parties.
Having HTTPS on your website also improves your reputation and credibility. When users see the padlock icon in their browser address bar or the “https” prefix in the URL, they know that the website is using SSL and that their data is being handled safely and securely, which can improve their trust in the website and the company behind it. It also shows that the website takes security seriously and is committed to protecting their customers’ data, which can help to improve the website’s reputation and credibility.
In addition to user trust and security, having SSL on your website can also improve your search engine ranking. First, Google, the most popular search engine, has indicated that it gives a small ranking boost to sites that use HTTPS. This means that if two websites have similar content and other ranking factors, the site with HTTPS may rank higher. Secondly, HTTPS can improve user experience, which is another factor that Google takes into account when ranking websites.
Additionally, some web browsers, such as Google Chrome, now display a warning message to users when they visit a website that is not secure (i.e., does not use HTTPS). This warning message can discourage users from continuing to use the website, which can result in a higher bounce rate and lower rankings.
In summary, SSL (HTTPS) is important for website because it helps to protect data, build trust with users, and boost search engine ranking. It is an inevitable investment that can have a big impact on the success of your website and your business. While all Lookafter Web Hosting plans come with a free SSL certificate (HTTPS), let us know if you are looking for a free SSL (HTTPS) for your website now!