Why SSL certificates are important

With our lives revolving so much around all things digital, it’s surprising that many businesses still don’t operate a website without an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate.

Many people use the internet to make purchases, it’s quick, it’s convenient and readily available, but how often do you receive a pop up to say the website you’re about to access may not be secure?  Do you continue, or do you head to a different site where you can trust the domain and purchase the same product?  Getting someone to trust a product is one thing, but to also get them to trust a website is crucial. 

An SSL certificate, in essence, is the security blanket we need to tell us that a site is safe to visit and purchase from and that all data and personal information entered will be kept safe and secure. If installed, it activates the padlock and the https protocol and allows secure connections from a web server to a browser.  The SSL certificate encrypts the information entered via a website so only the recipient seeing the data can use it, meaning that not even the best hackers will be able to access it.

While there are some businesses that operate eCommerce websites without one and run transactions through PayPal, for the benefit of your customers and your own brand, it’s recommended you have an SSL certificate.  After all, in the digital, modern age we live in, security, privacy and trust are all important components and impact the way we view a business or a brand.