Does your website need an SSL certificate?

Does your website need an SSL certificate?

You have come up with a product list, developed an awesome looking website and registered your website's perfect domain name. That means you're done, right?

Not necessarily. As you begin to get the word out about your new website, you will probably be asked if your website is secured with an SSL certificate. Most new website owners have no clue what an SSL certificate is, not to mention why they need one.

We’re here to explain everything you need to know about SSL certificates, why you need an SSL certificate, and how it protects both you and your client’s sensitive information. Finally, you will learn how you can generate new business and retain business when your website is secure with an SSL certificate.

SSL Certificates – What are they and why are they important?

SSL is an acronym that stands for secure sockets layer. This technology secures the information being transmitted across the internet by your customers as they browse your website, purchase products and share information with your company. Simply put, an SSL certificate secures your website and helps prevent sensitive information from being accessed by hackers.

In addition to this, an SSL certificate protects against digital bugs, Trojans, worms and other viruses that can attack the security of your website. Websites of all sizes are prone to attacks. By adding an SSL certificate to your website, you can help keep your website free of viruses and bugs that can allow devious internet users from accessing sensitive information like names, email addresses, phone numbers, physical addresses, and even worse, the financial information of your customers and your business.

Many small businesses think that their business is too small to be targeted; however, most interceptions are done electronically without a person picking and choosing whom to attack. A virus or bug does not care about the size of your company, or its earnings. Its one goal is to find vulnerabilities in your website and begin compromising it.

Now that you understand what SSL certificates are, you must determine if your website requires an SSL certificate in the first place.

Securely Accepting Payments

Will you be accepting major credit cards on your website? If so, you will need a merchant account. Most merchants require you to have an SSL certificate. Additionally, certain web hosting companies like GoDaddy require an SSL certificate if you will be accepting credit cards. Furthermore, you don’t want to risk putting your customer’s sensitive information at risk when they are shopping on your website.

Certain online shopping cart and store programs offer a built-in secured payment system. With these programs, a third party provides another method of payment online or handles your credit card payments. If you use a service like this, you may not need an SSL certificate for your website. However, there are other reasons that you should add an SSL certificate to your website.

Protecting Passwords

Another reason you may want to consider adding an SSL certificate is to protect any pages that are password protected.

Membership sites that have multiple logins can create opportunities for attack. The internet is filled with bots that scour the internet looking for poorly protected password pages that will provide access to a website.

Securing Your Web Forms

Not all website owners collect money. Some collect personal information, especially a website that gathers leads for purchase of services. Others may collect information about past employment history or basic information like customer names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers and other private information.

Don’t put your information and your customer’s at risk. An SSL certificate is the best way to secure your website and protect the information that is contained on your site. It’s imperative that your website has an SSL certificate today.

Posted by James Bohanon

James Bohanon
James Bohanon is a consultant at iMediaDesigns Technologies Inc, specializing in digital marketing strategies, SEO, content marketing, website design and development.

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