If you read the occasional article about web design, IT, or
Internet marketing, you may have noticed that lots of experts are advising
business owners to upgrade their web hosting to include SSL connections. Is it
something you should consider?
To get to the bottom of the matter, there are a few
questions we should try to answer first…
What is SSL?
SSL stands for Secure
Sockets Layer, and basically amounts to creating a more secure connection
between your website and the visitors who arrive at it. You’ve undoubtedly used
many SSL connections this week, and probably several already today. You can
recognize them by the “https:” designation in your browser, and the different icons
or shading that sometimes show up when you have a secure connection.
Beyond that, most users associate SSL connections with banks
and online merchants. So, even if your customers don’t understand exactly what
they are, they are probably aware that an SSL signifier means more safety.
How do You Add SSL
Capability to Your Website?
While the actual technical process of adding security
certificates to your server can be complicated, the decision to move forward is
an easy one for a business owner. It basically amounts to upgrading your
hosting package, adding SSL to your package of services, and telling your web
design team that you want it installed on your site.
The cost of adding SSL protection to your website is
essentially negligible (less than $20 a month through most providers), so it
shouldn’t be financially prohibitive to most companies.
What are the Benefits
of SSL?
There are a few reasons you might want to upgrade to SSL on
your business website.
The first is that it makes every connection safer. That’s
important in situations where you’re transmitting data back and forth to users
or customers, particularly if there are going to be financial details or
transactions involved. The more sensitive the submissions are, the more
important SSL protection becomes. Once it’s in place, it becomes much harder
for thieves and hackers to get access to things they shouldn’t.
Almost as important as the safety of data is the perception
of your website. Because most customers and users associate SSL with security,
they feel more comfortable seeing it on your pages. So, there is an issue of
credibility that comes into play.
And finally, SSL is getting more attention these days
because Google has identified secure connections is a search engine signal. In
other words, by adding this feature to your hosting, there is a chance you
could draw more search engine traffic to your pages. Given that Google
currently processes more than 2 billion search queries every day, and
competition for the top spots is intense, marketers will (and should) take any
advantage they can get.
Given the minimal costs involved, it might make a lot of
sense for your company to upgrade its web hosting package and add SSL
capability if you don’t have it already. You’ll gain a lot in safety, prestige,
and visibility, and all without giving it much in return.
Looking for great advice on web design, technology, and
online marketing? Call our team today to arrange a free consultation where we
can talk about your goals.