SSL certificate and Search Engine Optimization. Why do you need one for your website?

What are the benefits of using HTTPS?

HTTPS is the secure version of HTTP, a protocol used to transfer data over the internet. It provides encryption to help protect information that you send or receive online such as credit card numbers, usernames, passwords and more. Websites that use HTTPS also display a lock icon on the browser’s address bar or in the status bar at the bottom of your computer screen. This lock indicates that communications between your browser and the website are protected from eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks.

What do you need to get started?

SSL certificate

An SSL certificate is a type of security software used on websites that transmits sensitive information, such as credit card numbers or login credentials. The encryption technology helps to ensure that these private details are not intercepted and read by hackers.

Protects customer information

If you are selling products or services online and you want to provide a secure checkout experience for your customers, or if you are running a blog that does not require user login, then using an SSL certificate is one of the best ways to protect customer information. Without the encryption provided by the certificate, anyone on the same network as your customer can see the unencrypted data being transmitted between their browser and your website. This includes customer names, addresses, credit card numbers, and more.

Reduces Google crawling errors

It also helps Google crawl errors by making sure that Google can access all of your site’s content without interference from other content on the page. If you have pages where Googlebot doesn’t visit often, it will help to reduce crawling error by caching a copy of those pages too.

Improves rankings

Google announced that they will be using the HTTPS protocol as a ranking factor. This means that if you have a website without an SSL certificate, you’re likely hurting your optimization. A common misconception is that certificates cost too much. However, this isn’t necessarily true-pricing ranges depending on which type of certificate is used and how long it lasts.

Provides online trust

A certificate provides online trust by verifying that your site is safe to use and that it hasn’t been tampered with. This also means you don’t have to worry about someone else using a security flaw in your site code to post something inappropriate on your blog. Plus, your visitors will be more likely to purchase from you if they know they’re on a secure site.

Secures against hackers

An SSL certificate secures the connection to your website, making it impossible for hackers to intercept the information you send or receive. It also helps protect against malware and phishing attacks.

Types

Domain Validation (DV)

This is the basic form of security that enables the protection of data transmitted in a certified domain. Only the reported domain is verified when issuing the certificate. This means that it is checked whether the website is actually published at the domain address, but the data of the company applying for the DV certificate is not verified.

Organization Validation (OV)

It is an extended type of authentication. Like the base model, the OV certificate also provides encryption of the transmitted information in the designated domain. When issuing the certificate, not only the domain itself is verified, but also the applicant company. When checking, the company or the person applying for the OV certificate may be asked for an extract from the National Court Register or the articles of association. Characteristic for this type of certification is the name of the company that appears after clicking on the security seal (usually in the form of a locker symbol).

Extended Validation (EV)

This type of certificate is also known as full authentication. Having it is a clear message to users that the site has the strongest identity verification. This is shown by a visible company name and a green marking in the domain URL bar. When issuing an EV certificate, both the website and the company are subject to detailed verification. The company or the applicant is checked in terms of: actual physical presence, legal status, real business, compliance with official data.

How to Install it?

To install an SSL certificate, visit your website’s hosting control panel, and then look for the option to install a new certificate. After the installation is complete, you’ll be able to access it by going to “My Domains” and clicking on the name of your domain. In order to activate the certificate, you’ll need to add a line of code in your website’s root document (usually called index.php).

One certificate – one domain

When deciding to secure a website with an SSL certificate, remember that it will cover a specific address and before making a decision, it is worth deciding which one.

• SAN – it is a security used for multiple addresses. Then, the protection may also cover alternative names – those with and without WWW.
• UCC – it is a protection of several domains. It allows you to secure several different domains with the same certificate. So in practice you can protect pages with different names.
• Wildcard – allows you to protect all subdomains for the selected domain with one certificate.

Google always wants your site to be safe

Google has always wanted your site to be safe. Google, who owns the world’s largest search engine, wants all users to feel like they’re protected when using their products and services. One of these protections is securing your website with a SSL certificate. If you want to rank higher in organic search results, make sure you have one.

Summary

If you’re looking to increase your site’s performance and rankings, it’s time to consider getting an SSL certificate. If you want to make sure that all of your information is protected, look no further than a high-quality certificate. No matter what industry you’re in, the benefits will be seen by all customers who are looking for safe and secure transactions on their devices.