34,371. That is the number of websites that got mired with cyber security issues in 2017. (Sucuri)
Imagine your website being one among them? Such a morbid thought, right?
In fact, Symantec’s 2018 Internet Security Threat Report states that Implanted Malware grew by 200 Percent in 2017. The rate is said to be surge upwards in the coming years. The future does not look hopeful for websites that take cyber security lightly.
If you are a professional blogger, an online store owner, or literally anyone who owns a website, there is a dire need to secure your website with an SSL certificate.
Here are 4 reasons that prove why we think it is high time you install a cheap SSL certificate.
4 definite reasons why your website needs an SSL certificate right now
Here are reasons that will convince you to install an SSL certificate for your website.
#1 Google’s new stringent security rules
Google dominates a bigger part of the Internet. It is capable of shifting weights to any side which it seems fit for the goodness of the entire cyber space. Consider the need for a security upgrade for the entire Internet, Google started pushing for HTTPS encryption for all websites starting 2014.
The adoption rate was increasing on a steady basis and has reached a new turning point. Since 2018, Google Chrome, which commands 72% of desktop users and 59% of all users worldwide has been flagging websites without SSL certificate as “Not Secure”. The practice was rolled out with the Chrome 68 update.
The ‘Not Secure’ label could prove to be detrimental to website owners who need customers to trust them to swell longer on the website or to conduct economic transactions with them.
For instance, an online store checkout page which is labeled as ‘Not Secure’ can possibly deter the customer from completing the purchase.
If you are a website owner who needs visitors to remain on the website and complete their transactions, it is recommended to install an SSL certificate.
#2 Customers want reassurance
Continuing on the first point, customer want a reassurance that they are indeed dealing with a genuine website what they think it is. Spear phishing, fake emails, malicious links, etc. can make a visitor force land on fake websites that may lookalike their original counterparts.
These fake ones could possibly be created with the sole intention to steal the visitor credentials or to make them online transactions with which their credit card information can be stolen.
To ensure that your customers are indeed using the right website and not fake ones, a SSL certificate is needed. The EV SSL certificate would enable the green HTTPS bar which would contain the name of the organization as well as other details like location and domain name.
Since SSL certificates are issued after lengthy background checks and paperwork, it is not possible for fraudsters to create an impostor website of yours. This will help customers feel reassured that they are using a genuine website with doubled up security.
#3 Cybersecurity has become a mandate
Like we mentioned in the beginning of this blog, cyber security attacks are surging in volumes. They are becoming more inventive in nature, far more innovative than the measures taken to secure websites.
There is a need for every enterprise to invest in cybersecurity as much as they would invest in operational expansion, employee training and so on. In fact, wherever possible enterprises must thrive to have a dedicated Chief Security Officer or a role equivalent who can monitor the website from all angles.
Also, there is also newly introduced GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) which makes it mandatory for all enterprises in European Union to establish data protection measures for their user data. SSL certificates help adhere to such legal statutes as well.
#4 SSL facilitates SEO ranking
Following the labeling of websites as ‘Secure’ and ‘Not Secure’, Google has also included https as a critical search engine ranking signal. Websites which are less secure will have to put up with lower search engine ranking.
In fact, a study by Brian Dean conducted on 1 Million Google search results proved that there is a slight correlation between HTTPS and search engine ranking. So, it would actually be a good practice to have your website configured with a SSL certificate. But, be informed that installing SSL certificate solely for SEO ranking may prove to be effective. All other things remaining, SSL certificate could possibly be the missing peace that can help your website rank higher.
The Next Step
Buy an SSL certificate from SSL2BUY. Opt the type of certificate that would best suit your blog. Select from Extended validation, Domain validation and Organization validation SSL certificates. The table below shows the various types of SSL certificate and the type of sites that they are best suited for.
And, expect your website to go through some glitches while transiting to HTTPS. There is a possibility that all the link juice may not be transferred to the HTTPS website as a result of which your ranking might get hit.
In such cases, you can always fix the website errors or reach out to Google to set right things right. Remember, in the days ahead, there is no other go than securing your website with a SSL certificate. It is needed to ensure security, to boost SEO and also to keep customers feel safe and secure.
An additional benefit of SSL certificate is that it would also help your website rank higher in search results. Now, what should stop you from investing in a SSL certificate?
