The internet is a stunning place where you get all your desirables delivered to your requested destination. So naturally, this makes it popular and more in demand.
But adverse to the above point, the internet can be an unsecured place also, since many cyber-criminals and fraudsters are scouring the digital market, trying to gain your sensitive data. Web developers keep developing strong security software for web security, and sophisticated hackers keep using the latest techniques to break these barriers and penetrate networks.
Sophisticated ways like Cookie theft, Clickjacking attacks, Fake WAP, etc., are used by hackers to invade your networks.
The only solution is to secure your network and website data by Installing an SSL Certificate.
In this article, I have penned down the need for web security and why SSL security is pivotal for your small digital empire.
- What is an SSL certificate, and why is it Important?
SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certificates are usually used for securing communications between the client (browser) and website (server) with encryption security.
Example: You are into the garment industry and have created a small website with a registered domain name. Are you ready to sell your products online?
No, because you have not yet secured your website from hackers.
SSL certificates encrypt your website data with 256-bit encryption and secure it from intruders. These digital certificates use encryption algorithms and cryptographic keys to convert your data into a cipher (non-readable) text. Hackers find it difficult to penetrate such encrypted sites, so they abandon the same and move elsewhere.
SSL certificate shows HTTPS (hyper-text transfer protocol secure) in the URL and padlock in the address bar. These symbols enhance customer’s trust because it depicts the symptoms of a secured site.
SSL certificates are also necessary for PCI (Payment Card Industry) compliance when sensitive information is shared.
- Do I need an SSL Certificate?
The digital market is growing by leaps and bounds, and so are cyber-security breaches. These breaches are affecting millions of people all around the globe, and the Covid-19 pandemic has worsened the current situation. Relying simply on anti-virus software and firewalls to shield these data breaches may be a grave mistake.
Data breaches cause enormous damages, and, in some cases, the loss is irrecoverable.
Research indicates that 60% of the small businesses close within six months of a data breach. These companies lack the resources to face a security breach attack or prevent the same. Other disadvantages include losing out on customer trust, bearing revenue loss, paying fines for loss of data security measures, etc., and the list is huge.
That makes an SSL certificate more necessary for your small website.
Another aspect is that though your digital products have enticing rates and better services than your competitors if your website is unsecured (no SSL certificate), it may not attract customers or motivate them for purchases. SSL certificates are guarantors of trust and safety of information, making them an essential requirement for your small business.
SSL certificates help to increase your website visibility since Google boosts your website ranking position in SEO as announced.
Importance:
- Increases user’s trust
- Reduces bounce rates
- Prevents data loss and revenue loss
- Prevents your business from closure
In short, YES, your business needs SSL security.
- What is the Cost of a Digital Certificate?
Multiple SSL certificates are available with these Cheap SSL Certificate providers.
All the SSL certificates offer the same encryption (256-bit encryption) security, but they offer varied securities. So, let’s check them out.
- Single Domain SSL: Secures the root domain of your website. The CA verifies the domain name, and the issuance is done within a few minutes. Their price ranges from $5/year – $32/year.
- Multi-Domain SSL: Secures unlimited domains (up to 100 domains or more depending on the Certificate Authority (CA) and unlimited sub-domains. Their price ranges from $21/year – $279/year.
- Wildcard SSL: Secures the root domain and unlimited 1st level sub-domains. Their price ranges from $45/year – $519/year.
- Organisation Validation SSL: The organization details like physical address, nature of business, telephone number, etc., are verified by the CA, and the issuance is done in 1-3 days. Their price ranges from $63/year – $687/year.
- Extended Validation SSL: The most trustworthy SSL certificate due to the extensive vetting process, where the authenticity of the business, the identity of the owner, and the domain name are verified by the CA. The issuance is done within 5-7 days. Their price ranges from $49/year – $927/year.
- What are the Benefits of a Web Certificate?
The importance of an SSL certificate is undeniable. SSL encryption security benefits your digital business as well as your customers.
- Sends Hackers Away:
The most basic reason is to fend off hackers from invading your networks and systems. The same can be fulfilled by installing an SSL certificate. Since all the passwords and other sensitive information will be encrypted, these hackers will be forced to shift elsewhere to fulfil their evil intentions.
- Portrays Authenticity and Trustworthiness:
Since CA does domain verification before issuing this certificate, and in some cases (OV & EV), extensive verification of the organization and owner’s identity is done. Hence, when these certificates are installed on a website, they bear testimony to an authentic and trustworthy site for their customers.
- Enhanced SEO Ranks:
Google, too, wishes for a secured digital environment, and hence it announced a compulsory installation of SSL certificates on websites for getting a place in SEO.
So, HTTP sites are portrayed as “Not Secure” by browsers, and HTTPS sites give a secure environment to transact. So, secure your SEO position with SSL.
- Increase in Conversion Rates:
Studies indicate a rise of 11-42% in the conversion rates of an e-commerce website as a result of incorporating trust seals.
SSL certificates help increase network traffic and sales by decreasing the abandonment rate since they are PCI compliant.
- Increased Value Per Transaction:
Customers are always skeptical while shopping online, and their fears increase when they need to make high online payments. SSL certificates are said to raise the average transaction value (23%) of a customer. This proves how users trust authentic websites for making purchases or other financial transactions.
- Elimination of Security Alerts:
As stated above, browsers display a “Not Secure” warning on HTTP sites. However, sites having SSL certificates commence with HTTPS in the URL, and hence the warning sign is eliminated.
- Protects Business Information:
Last but not least, SSL certificates secure your business information with encryption and ensures that the private data reaches the intended recipient without any intrusions by third parties. SSL certificates also eliminate phishing attacks, thus saving your company’s reputation and finances.
Duplication of HTTPS sites is impossible, and this makes your customers less prone to phishing attacks.
- How do I get an SSL license?
The most pivotal part of the digital certificate is its origin. Most of the SSL certificates are issued by CA’s, who verify all the details of the requesting entity before issuing an SSL certificate. Of course, the verification procedure varies, depending on the type of SSL and the validation of SSL selected by the entity.
- Is an SSL Certificate Mandatory?
SSL certificate is mandatory for all websites with many financial transactions or any other customer data that needs to be secured.
Sites asking for any customer information should install an SSL certificate for securing the information. In addition, any web forms filled by customers should be secured so that hackers can’t misuse customer data.
Apart from securing customer data, don’t you feel that you should gain customer trust by providing them a safe digital environment? If yes, then an SSL certificate is mandatory because the absence of an SSL certificate can adversely impact your sales and conversions.
When your website asks for customer payments against your products, the trust icons of the SSL certificate motivate them to punch their credit card details. Of course, no customer will punch card details on unsecured websites. They may as well abandon carts and websites, shifting over to more secured ones.
So, in most cases, an SSL certificate is mandatory for websites. But suppose your website hires a third-party agency to take care of the security of the customer transactions in the shopping carts. Then, you need not worry regarding the same since these agencies have their secured payment gateways.
Conclusion
Phishing attacks, identity thefts, malware, etc., are becoming more aggressive and deadly, causing huge financial losses. Therefore, your small business needs to be shielded against these deadly cyber-attacks, and hence SSL certificate is the best option to secure your digital world.
Your small business may be working on tight budgets and may be hesitant to invest much in web securities.
Check out the best SSL certificate option, which is suitable for your website, get this digital security license equipped on your website, and enjoy the benefits of securing your small business with SSL security.
