What Is An SSL Certificate?

21 June 2021

As web safety standards are continually moving towards encrypted traffic and developing security, with over 70% of Chrome users routinely visiting HTTPS-enabled websites, it’s important to start thinking about integrating SSL certificates as standard.

Google are continually vying for a secure, stable internet, one they can feel comfortable sending their search engine users to as part of every query results page.

For this reason, it’s important to know what SSL certificates are, how they relate to your website, and why they can improve SEO.

What is an SSL certificate?

SSL is known as a means of encryption which ensures data that passes from a device to a website is secure. You may have seen the ‘lock’ icon in your browser address bar, this usually notifies you that the website is SSL-encrypted, known also as the HTTPS standard as opposed to the HTTP standard at the beginning of web addresses.

In fact, HTTPS has become such a common and fundamental security necessity that popular browser extensions, like ‘HTTPS Everywhere’ allow home users to continually request an encrypted connection to websites as standard. This is so popular that Firefox, Mozilla’s browsing app, has integrating this third-party extension as an option in their smartphone browser extension list, which as of now features a limited list of ten choices.

The SSL encryption standard helps protect your information, including addresses, email addresses, credit card information, and other personally identifying info.

How does it relate to SEO?

It’s in Google’s best interest to make sure that their SEO algorithm positively lifts content that is both well-formatted, informative, and secure.

For that reason, it’s not hard to see why SSL-encrypted websites are being favorably ranked over websites that do not provide this security standard as default.

It’s not entirely easy to gauge the exact effect that having an SSL certificate will have in SEO terms, but as Google have actively confirmed they will be weighted encrypted pages more positively, it’s worth your time to integrate. This point is also emphasized by the fact that in certain circumstances, Google are warning users when visiting websites that do not feature a HTTPS address. That may deter traffic more than any insufficient SEO strategy.

Why is it important?

There are ancillary benefits to integrating an SSL certificate into your website, too. It can prevent scammers from making spoof websites that claim your name, as SSL certificates verify and define your brand website as YOUR brand website. That’s a great way to inspire trust in users who may have never used your pages before.

For such a small effort integrating and verifying your website, the positive benefits can set you apart, and ensures that your website will remain relevant for some time to come. Yet outside of the marketing benefits, the HTTPS standard that secures your pages will ensure that phishing attempts, and stolen information will not use your brand pages as a source. For obvious reasons, this is reward enough.

Be sure to contact us should you need help integrating an SSL certification on your website, or if you require further information.