What is an SSL certificate? Why is it necessary to secure the website using SSL? What steps should be followed when starting an online business or website?
Are you finding the answers to all these questions? If yes, then you are at the right place. Today, in this article we will cover all the site security tips and tricks along with SSL.
So, let’s start the ultimate guide to the SSL certificate.
Table of Contents
What to Know When Starting a Website?
When starting an online business, blog, or any other website, three things should be considered.
- Domain
- Web Hosting Plan
- SSL certificate
The Domain is the unique name of the website that will help the audience, clients, and visitors to reach your platform easily. Whereas, the second step is to choose an appropriate Web hosting for the website because a good website working depends upon a good hosting company. Finally, an SSL certificate plays a significant role in the protection of the website.
How SSL Certificate is Related to Domain and Hosting?
SSL certificate is free and keeps the domain and hosting protected. So no third party can access the information, hack the details, and use the data from the site.
It is related to the Domain as the SSL approved sites show HTTPS before the domain in the URL. Whereas many hosting companies offer free SSL certificates for the website.
So, if you are interested in buying a domain, hosting, and SSL certificate in a single package, then any hosting company can give you this wonderful 3 in 1 package.
Why is an SSL Certificate Important?
So, now you might ask where an SSL certificate is necessary and why you should consider it as an important factor. Here we are sharing some critical points.
1. Information Security Purpose
You might have experienced typing email addresses, contact information, credit card numbers, and other personal data on different websites. Many of us perform transactions and place orders online. But is your information secure?
As the robbers want to steal the money when it is being transferred from one bank to another. Similarly, hackers also try to steal the information from the website when it is being transferred from one server to another. Hence, the SSL certificate is the protection against such activities.
SSL certificates prevent the data from floating and reaching the inter-webs where hackers might read the information.
2. Google Ranking
When developing a website, it is very important to rank it on Google Search Engine Result Page. If you fail to do so then it will result in losing a huge audience and traffic. Ultimately, you will face a business loss.
Now you might ask HOW Google Ranking is related to SSL Certificate?
Google observes all the websites and its algorithm dislikes to rank the websites that are not secure. It only ranks the sites that are SSL approved or have HTTPS rather than HTTP sites.
3. Customer Confidence
When any visitor reaches the website, SSL certificate approved sites show a closed lock in the URL bar. Whereas unprotected sites show as unsecure. This alarming notice creates a threat for the visitor and he might immediately leave the site. Therefore, to attain the customers’ confidence, it is important to protect your website using an SSL certificate.
Is Your Site Secured with SSL? Let’s Find Out
After understanding the importance and necessity of an SSL certificate, you might be interested in finding out whether your site is secure or not. So here are some easy tips to find out.
1. Look at the URL bar
The easiest way to find the SSL approval is to look into the address bar where your website link is written. A padlock icon is a sign of security. Moreover, HTTPS showed before the address also describes that the website is secure. By clicking on the padlock icon, all the details about the SSL certificate will be shown. So, in this way you can track the security of your website.
2. Track via Website
Different websites are available on the internet where you can place the URL or address of your site and it will show all about the expiry of the SSL certificate, current status, etc.
How to install an SSL Certificate?
In case, if your website is not secure, then it is highly recommended to install an SSL certificate to avoid any future problems. Here are some easy and basic steps to install the SSL certificate.
- The first step is to buy a dedicated IP address for your website, so if you have it then an SSL certificate will be available. Otherwise, you can host with a dedicated IP address.
- Buy the SSL certificate.
- Activate the certificate on the backend.
- Install the certificate and update the website with HTTPS.
Free SSL certificate
Many hosting companies offer free SSL certificates along with the hosting program. If you have already bought the hosting, then check the package plan and ask the company about a free SSL certificate.
Besides this, if you are planning to buy hosting then it is recommended to choose the hosting plan that offers a free SSL certificate for the website. You can easily enable a free SSL certificate from cPanel.
Conclusion
SSL certificate is important for the website as it keeps the website secure from hackers. It is important to install SSL as it will protect the information on the website. Moreover, it is helpful in Google ranking and builds the customers’ trust.
Therefore, check your website now. If the padlock is not present and HTTP is shown, then the SSL certificate needs to be installed. Some hosting companies such as ServerSea offer a free domain registration, hosting, and SSL certificates in a combined package. You can also get a free SSL certificate from the company when buying a hosting plan.
In the nutshell, an SSL certificate is a security guard of your website. Make sure to install it for improved security of the website. ServerSea Hosting offers one of the finest hosting plans inclusive of an SSL certificate.
Also Read: How to Convert Website Traffic into Qualified Leads using Fastbase and Google Analytics
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