An SSL certificate allows for user’s personal information (passwords and credit card numbers) that is placed on a website to be encrypted. This should be an important implementation with any ecommerce website design. Without SSL, any information that a user gives to a web site is sent in plain text, making it easy for third parties to hack and abuse.
Google has introduced a new security measure on Chrome that warns users on HTTP sites that the web page is not secure the moment they enter the site. They must have an SSL Certificate to be marked as a secure website (HTTPS). It will appear to the left of your URL (as shown in image).
Have an SSL Certificate already? Any website design and development company will say the same thing, make sure it is on your entire website, not just your checkout page on your ecommerce website! You may not be “required” to do so, but if the SSL certificate is not on the home page, users see a “!” notification at the left of your URL box stating “you should not enter any sensitive information on this site (for example, passwords or credit cards) because it could be stolen by attackers.” While you may have an SSL certificate on your checkout page, people who enter your ecommerce website and see the message on the home page may bounce off before getting to the checkout section. You want to ensure TRUST, so have an SSL certificate on all pages.
73% of web users choose to use Chrome as their primary browser. That’s a huge percentage of your web traffic that may receive warnings about the lack of security on your website if you are not using HTTPS-which could be detrimental to your image as a trusted site. If you are trying to grow your business online, an SSL certificate is crucial, especially if you have an ecommerce website.
What are the benefits?
- Adding a layer of security to your website makes for less worry!
- Increased SEO. In 2014, Google announced that they are using HTTPS as a ranking signal.
- Lower your bounce rate by ensuring users can trust your website with their information.
Securing your website with an SSL certificate is now more important than ever. www.KirkCommunications.com offers SSL solutions/implementation. Whether you want a basic level of encryption or the highest protection available, Kirk Communications, a global SEO company, has the technology that suits your needs.
