You've chosen your perfect domain name, but before your website can go live, there's another crucial step to take: securing it with an SSL certificate.
At Elm Marketing Solutions, we believe that trust is the foundation of a great online presence. That's where an SSL certificate comes in.
What is an SSL Certificate?
SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer. An SSL certificate is a small data file that digitally authenticates your website and enables an encrypted connection between your website's server and a visitor's browser. This encryption scrambles the data as it travels, preventing hackers from reading or stealing sensitive information like login details, personal data, or credit card numbers.
You can easily tell if a website has an SSL certificate by looking at the URL bar:
A secure site will start with https:// (the "s" stands for secure).
It will also display a small padlock icon, which users have come to recognise as a sign of trust.
Why is it so important?
Security and Trust: An SSL certificate protects your customers' data and builds confidence in your brand. When a visitor sees that padlock, they know their information is safe.
SEO (Search Engine Optimisation): An SSL certificate is no longer an optional extra; it's a fundamental requirement. Without one, many search engines, including Google, will not rank your website highly, significantly impacting your visibility.
Modern Browsers: Modern web browsers will flag websites without an SSL certificate as "Not Secure," which can deter visitors and make your business look unprofessional.
How to Get One
Many website builders and hosting providers now include an SSL certificate as a standard part of their packages. For instance, our preferred partner, Rocketspark, provides a free SSL certificate with every hosting plan, ensuring your website is secure from day one. This simplifies the process, so you don't have to worry about the technical details.
Securing your website with an SSL certificate is a fundamental step in protecting your business and your customers.
