The Importance of SSL Certificates

Consumers are hesitant to enter personal info on a site that is not secure

In today’s environment, website users are keenly aware of the risks involved every time they enter information on a page, use a credit card or make a purchase. With so much at stake, consumers are more and more likely to hesitate over entering any kind of personal information on a website. In fact, 82% of respondents to a recent consumer survey stated they would leave a site that could not verify it’s security or had a history of data breaches and cyber crimes committed.

Provide Your Customers with Peace of Mind

Businesses can increase their sales and create a substantial amount of goodwill and peace of mind with their customers by making sure their sites are safe. To word it more effectively, especially when you consider the significance of online presences in the world of commerce today, they will ensure they remain in business. Keep in mind Google pushes website security by integrating an alert system into their Chrome browser.

Over the past few years, websites who collected credit card information without having an SSL Certificate were flagged as “Not Secure.” Google recently changed that to include ANY website that does have an SSL certificate is marked as “Not Secure” and stated that having an SSL certificate or not is now something that affects a website’s ranking on Google’s search engine algorithm. Therefore, if you want to improve the optimization of your website in today’s digital climate, you must invest in an SSL certificate for your website. 

Forty-two percent of all web users currently use Chrome and even more use the Google search engine. A website without an SSL certificate will simply not rank as high in a user’s search. If, by chance, they do end up on a site that does not have SSL, 8 out of 10 jump off before making a purchase or finalizing any type of interaction. Regardless of how long you have been in business, this is simply a risk you cannot afford to take.

Measuring the Cost of SSL Certificates

To determine the accurate cost of SSL certificates for your website, you must determine exactly which type of SSL certificate you will need. However, the average cost ranges from $50 to $200. Some CMS providers offer SSL for free as a part of their premium packages while other companies offer free SSL certificates to their customers as well. The important thing to consider in cost though is the installation. An SSL certificate itself doesn't have to be too expensive, but getting it properly installed can be a daunting task.

Protect Yourself in the War Against Cybercrime

Hacking, data breaches and cybercrime are everyday topics in the news today. No organization – from credit bureaus to entertainment companies – seem to be safe in this country from the possibility of infiltration. SSL certificates and HTTPS distinction should be considered required investments for businesses today that are looking to enhance the security of their online presence - not optional luxuries.

Run a Free Website Audit to see if your site is secure.