Protecting your own privacy online and keeping the small print of your clients and customers safe is more important now with the upcoming changes to the law and introduction of GDPR data regulations.

To build trust in your business, your website has to be secure for everybody that accesses it particularly if they're entering their personal details. That’s always been true, of course, but why has it now become vital to confirm that your site isn't only secure but also gives confidence in its security to your visitors?

Warnings for Non-Secured Websites

That is because the most recent version of Google’s Chrome application alerts users after they visit an online page that collects personal data like usernames, passwords, or email addresses but that doesn’t have a website SSL (aka a Secure Certificate). The warning states that the website is ‘Not Secure’ which could damage credibility and trust for several website visitors if they think the data they're submitting may be vulnerable to being stolen.

Google talked about the importance of getting a website secure certificate 3 years ago however 2017 is that the year that this has really are available to prominence. An SSL is once you see a padlock next to the website address within the application and therefore the web address starts with HTTPS, rather than just HTTP.

77% of website visitors described themselves as concerned about their data and details being intercepted online and having your site secured is often an enormous indicator of trust in your business.

Other web browsers are following this lead and that we are soon likely to work out more severe warnings when forms are detected on non-SSL secured websites, even if they're only requesting basic personal information like a reputation.

Secure Certificates Improves Search Rankings

Making your visitors feel secure on your website and happy to input their details isn’t the sole reason why having a secure certificate is very important.

Indications are that it actually impacts your program ranking too. Neil Patel conducted substantial research into this in 2014 and concluded that it did have a limited effect however in 2017 it became more vital towards climbing up the Google Rankings. The reasoning being that Google can see time and energy has been invested in SSL websites and this suggests they're less likely to be untrustworthy sources for Google's search audience.

So, having a secure certificate is now a crucial part of any SEO strategy.

How to Get Secure in 2021

If your website isn’t encrypted and you don’t have the green padlock showing then you're a risk of losing visitors, customers and causing a negative impact on your business.

Secure Certificates can direct cost betting on the amount of security required but basic customized SSL certificates may be as little as $79+VAT per annum. If we host your website we will assist you in ordering and putting in your SSL certificate to make sure you create the foremost of your website and build the trust to stay your clients happy.