What is SSL, does your website need it and how much does it cost?

Jan 2018

There has been a lot of news in the press about website security and specifically SSL encryption, so what is SSL, does your website need it and how much does it cost?

Websites protected with an SSL certificate encrypt the communication between the website itself and the website visitor. Where you have sensitive communication (e.g. you’re handing over your credit card or putting in a password) that’s essential. Sites like PayPal, Facebook and your bank switched to SSL a long time ago. You can tell whether a site is using SSL because the site address starts https:// instead of the traditional http://. Also, most browsers mark such sites with a padlock, or green shading, or the words “Secure” or similar.

E.g.

Facebook in Chrome

HSBC in Internet Explore


But remember, if your site doesn’t contain anything more sensitive than your publicly available contact details and no confidential communication takes place with your clients via your website you don’t really need SSL.

Nevertheless, over the last 12 months there’s been a tidal wave of sites paying to switch to SSL.

Why?

  1. Google are starting to give sites with SSL certificates a small ranking boost, which puts such sites higher up the search results
  2. Nowadays it’s seen as more correct, more up-to-date, and more respectful of your website’s visitors to protect all your communication with them, even when it’s not sensitive or private
  3. Browsers have started beefing up the visual cues to mark secure (SSL) sites – see my pics above. There’s a perception that the lack of the browser padlock etc will start to damage your brand.

In some cases Google ranking may not interest you, but having a site that’s perceived as being correct by every measure is probably more of an issue for your potential customisers and how your business is judged online.

We can provide your website with an SSL certificate should you wish to do so. Generally this currently costs approximately £100, so well worth the effort of ensuring your customers perception that you have a secure website and that you take their online security seriously whilst also improving your sites ranking on Google.



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