Do I need an SSL Certificate?
Another ‘new norm’ from COVID-19 is that online shopping has had to become the go-to for most of us, even those who much prefer the tactile rush of a physical shopping trip are now turning to online to solve those consumer urges. And I mean, let’s face it, skipping the queues and having a box of wine turn up on your doorstep is pretty handy!
However, this change in consumer behaviour has led Consumer Protection to take action, encouraging those with less experience in the online retail realm to spend with caution.
It is not just those new to the wonderful world of online shopping that need to be alert, as there have been some important updates in the world of privacy and security that every business should be aware of.
From September 1st 2020 all main browsers will block any site you visit if its SSL Certificate is more than 13 months old, with Google’s Chrome taking this one step further and also warning you if you are filling in any form on any site that also does not have in-date SSL Certificate.
So, if you should only be visiting and interacting with sites that are SSL secure, you need to know what you’re looking for, right?
What is an SSL Certificate?
When visiting a website you will notice a padlock by the URL address, a secured lock means that the connection between your computer and the websites own server is secure and encrypted. In simple terms, no one with bad intentions can intercept your interaction and steal your information.
Note: a secure sites URL also starts with HTTPS:// not HTTP://
Obviously this move is great for the end consumer and making sure they are protected, but there are further benefits for businesses that keep their security up-to-date too.
Search Engine Optimization | Rank above your competitors
Sites that have SSL certificates rank higher on Google search and, therefore, have higher visitor numbers compared to competitors who don’t.
Advertising | More bang for your buck
If you were to run any ads on Google or social media channels, websites that have SSL Certificates are more trusted and therefore able to run across the whole platform. In most cases, it is even becoming a necessary step to even get the ads up and running these days.
Protects you | Prove you are a trustworthy sort
An SSL Certificates protects the customer and protects YOU from the messy reputational hit of a data leak. It also reassures the customer that you are a trusted site and not a scam – protecting your brand and building your reputation.
So, without any question, you should be making sure your SSL Certificate is up-to-date. No website is too small to have one, even if you have no online forms or ways of collecting a user’s details
Beck & Caul are able to set up and make sure your SSL certificate is regularly updated alongside your domain name and any other website costs. If you would like to know a bit more on where you stand, get in touch today and we can chat you through the best steps to ensure you and your customers are secure.