SSL Certificates bind together a domain name with server name and an organizational identity with location. An organization has to install the SSL Certificate on their website to initiate secure sessions with browsers. After a secure connection is built, the web traffic between the web browser and web server will be secure. You can get free SSL certificate from some hosting or domain providers.
SSL certificates are important because before the information you send on the internet reaches its destination server, it is passed from computer to computer. The computers in between you and the server can easily see your sensitive information such as your credit card numbers, usernames, and passwords unless it is encrypted with an SSL certificate.
After July 2018, the Google Chrome web browser will show warning to those sites which does not have SSL certificates. For those sites, which has got SSL certificate, a green lock will show on the address bar and it will say, the website is safe to browse. So, you can understand how important SSL certificate is from now on wards. Also, this will provide you a huge boost in your website SEO.
I have got SSL Certificate for my website and in the below screenshot you can see, it is showing the Green Lock Favicon. You can get this SSL certificate for free with some Hosting Plans online. HostGator is providing free SSL certificate you can get it by following this link .
As I have got the free SSL certificate with my hosting plan, I thought I should share this information with you as well so that you can grab the deal as well.
In this age and day, data security is one of the main priorities of the users. It is no longer difficult to hack into someone’s data or sabotage the personal information of the customers. People prefer to visit sites that are completely secure, and their own data is not at any risk. Naturally, a secure connection matters to Google as well and then it ranks the sites based on that. When your website connection is secure, as a result, it will result in more users visiting your website. You can get contact your web hosting provider as most of the web host companies offer SSL certificates and will help you install one on your server.
What does an SSL certificate do?
An SSL Certificates digitally binds a cryptographic key to an organization’s details. When installed on a web server, it allows a secure connection between a web server and a browser. When you sell products online and accept credit cards and SSL certificate is needed to make it all secure. In short, you need an SSL certificate for website security.
After you install the certificate, the application protocol of your website HTTP will change to HTTPS. The ‘S’ here means that the connection between the users and your websites secure. Here is how SSL allows a secure connection from a browser to a web server. Through encryption, the certificate ensures that your website visitor’s activity is not tracked or someone intercepting the data does not steal the information. This also prevents your files from being corrupted when they are being transferred. The website is also built as trustworthy as the SSL certificate protects against any kinds of attacks. So, isn’t it wise to get a free SSL certificate which can protect your user and your website as well?
How does it improve SEO?
It is no secret that Google has tagged HTTP websites as insecure, and thus it prefers the HTTPS websites over insecure ones. When studied the factors that affect the search engine ranking, not only were the websites with stronger backlinks and high-quality content ranked higher, but there was also a correlation found between HTTPS websites and Google’s first page rankings.
We all know about the factors that affect a website’s SEO. While HTTPS is one factor that impacts the rankings of websites, it would also have positive effects on the visitor’s experience. An SSL certificate enhances customer and visitor trust, increases Google Rankings, improves conversion rates and keeps data secure. In short, the overall user experience matters to Google. Here is how your website is affected.
- More Traffic
When your site is more secure, your users will consider it as trustworthy, and thus, they will visit it more which will help in improving the rankings of the website.
- Website Speed
HTTPS websites are faster than HTTP sites, and users do not have to go through the pain of waiting for your site to load. Having a faster website is another aspect that Google bases its ranking on.
- Conversions
Not all customers finish their purchase process, and more than 80% of the users abandon side midway. If your connection with user servers is secure, the chances of visitors clicking through will also increase.
All these effects combine and in turn affect your website’s ranking. High security and fast loading speed result in high conversion rate, which gives your website an overall better impression.
The customers are beginning to show their concerns over privacy and data protection. It has become the need of the day to get an SSL certificate, so it provides your website the secure connection and improves your SEO.