5 Benefits of Using SSL Certificates on Websites

SSL certificates are increasingly becoming an online norm. So much so that in recent years, it is not very common to see popular websites that do not use SSL and HTTPS to protect your information. The use of SSL certificates is very important not only for security but also for your website’s SEO (search engine optimization) performance.

SSL certificates “confirm” that your website is original and that a phishing attempt or an unauthorized copy operation will not occur. It also states that it encrypts all information circulating between your site and visitors, especially on websites where online sales are made.

Getting an SSL certificate for your website may seem complex but it really is not as it looks. After the installation is completed simply, you will have taken the first step for your website to benefit from many advantages and keep your visitors’ data safe. This way, visitors of your site also know that their data is protected and can spend time on your site with peace of mind while browsing without having security-related questions in their minds. In this article, we will also share with you the importance of using SSL certificates on websites and the advantages it provides. Happy reading.

1. SSL Protects Data on Your Website

The main function of an SSL certificate is to protect server-client communication. When loading SSL, each piece of information is encrypted. Thus, it helps protect against possible attacks by hackers while dealing with highly sensitive personal data such as identity information, passwords, credit card numbers etc. on your site.

2. SSL Use Authenticates Your Identity

One of the most valuable tasks of an SSL certificate is to provide authentication to the website where it is used. Authentication is one of the most important elements in terms of web security. When you want to install an SSL certificate on your site, you need to go through a verification process from an independent third party called Certificate Authority (CA). Depending on the certificate type, the CA verifies your identity and your organization’s identity, and after proving your identity, your website receives trust indicators that vouch for you, and your users know who you are when they see these indicators.

3. SSL Helps You Maintain PCI Compliance

There are various ways to accept payments on your website, and if you are providing solutions with different platforms for this, there are standards that some third-party channels require your application to meet. For example, if you want to comply with the Payment Card Industry (PCI) guidelines, the importance of using HTTPS is very high in this standards list.

4. SSL Increases Customer Trust in Your Website

As mentioned before, SSL certificates are very important in terms of customer trust and are an indispensable signal to inform your visitors that the security of the data they send will be ensured. Especially if you have installed an OV or EV SSL, your visitors can also see your organization’s details, and seeing that you have a truly professional site increases the likelihood of them doing business with you or visiting your site again.

5. SSL Use Increases the Value of Your Site in Terms of SEO

In the context of changes Google made to its algorithm in 2014, it also stated that the effective use of HTTPS on websites is a ranking factor. The use of SSL certificate is recommended especially to prevent negative impact on your organic rankings. Additionally, some browsers like Chrome warn users when they visit a website that does not use HTTPS or whose certificate is not valid, which can increase your site’s bounce rate and this can create a negative impact on your SEO as well.

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To summarize, SSL certificates signal to potential visitors that your website is secure and can protect their data. They provide a trust environment and are also effective for your audience to want to visit your site again; if you are an e-commerce site, they encourage visitors to browse and shop with peace of mind. This is a factor that increases both the trust in your brand and consequently your sales.

There is no reason not to see the benefits this update will bring to your site if you keep your SSL certificate subscriptions active and correctly complete the transition from HTTP version to HTTPS version and therefore the redirections. Whether you have a blog or a shopping site; having an SSL certificate has become a must-have in today’s world. Considering the negative consequences of not following these kinds of standards for your website and visitor base in the future, we recommend incorporating HTTPS into your life as soon as possible.

Abdullah Altunbaş

Content Writer

Netinternet Bilişim Teknolojileri A.Ş.'de teknik konularda liderlik yapıyorum. 15 yıldır bu alanda çalışıyorum ve özellikle sistem yönetimi, ağ teknolojileri ve yazılım geliştirme konularına odaklanıyorum.