What is SSL in Website and Why Your Website Needs It
You might have heard of SSL or Secure Sockets Layer if you have a website. But what is it and why do you need it for your website? In this blog post, we will explain what SSL is, how it works, and what benefits it provides for your website and your visitors.
SSL is a protocol that encrypts the data that is exchanged between a web server and a web browser. This means that any information that is sent or received by your website, such as usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, or personal details, is protected from hackers and eavesdroppers who might try to intercept it.
SSL also provides authentication and trust for your website. When SSL is enabled on your website, visitors will see a padlock icon or a green bar in their browser’s address bar. This indicates that your website has a valid SSL certificate issued by a trusted authority. A SSL certificate is a digital document that verifies the identity of your website and its owner. It also contains information such as the domain name, the issuer, the expiration date, and the public key.
Having SSL on your website shows your visitors that you care about their security and privacy. You also improve your website’s performance, SEO ranking, and conversion rate. Here are some of the benefits of SSL for your website:
Performance
SSL enables HTTP/2, a newer version of the HTTP protocol that improves the speed and efficiency of web communication. HTTP/2 allows multiple requests and responses to be sent over a single connection, reducing latency and bandwidth usage. It also supports compression, prioritization, and server push, enhancing the user experience.
SEO ranking
Google considers SSL as an SEO ranking factor for its search results. This means that websites with SSL are more likely to rank higher than those without. Having SSL also helps you avoid the “Not Secure” warning that Google displays for websites that don’t have SSL, which can deter potential visitors from clicking on your website.
Conversion rate
Having SSL can increase your conversion rate by boosting your visitors’ confidence and trust in your website. Studies have shown that websites with SSL have higher conversion rates than those without. For example, a study by GlobalSign found that 84% of online shoppers would abandon a purchase if they noticed that the website was not secure.
As you can see, SSL is not only important for your website’s security but also for its success. If you don’t have SSL on your website yet, you should consider getting it as soon as possible. Many options are available for getting an SSL certificate for your website, such as buying one from a reputable provider or using a free service like Let’s Encrypt. You can also use tools like SSL Checker to check if your website has SSL and if it is configured correctly.
SSL is not something that you can ignore or postpone. You need to have it on your website to protect yourself and your visitors from cyberattacks and improve your website’s performance and reputation. By having SSL on your website, you are making a smart investment for your online business.