Websites serve as an informational hub and a reflection of the organization they represent. Recent polls show that 80% of people will research an organization online before deciding to move forward with any course of action. What does your website say about you? Does it make visitors feel comfortable and confident? Will they choose to engage with you as a result of the site experience?
One essential and often overlooked element of a website that can make or break visitor confidence is website security. Websites must be technically maintained, meaning that they need to be operating on the most recent platform version, with updated code and components. It's comparable to leaving the back door of your home open. Your environment becomes vulnerable and can be penetrated by those who desire to utilize bandwidth for numerous reasons. And, when site health is compromised, the result is often downtime, poor visitor experience, and sometimes responsibility for the spread of online viruses that can harm your visitor's computers or devices. Ideal website providers can protect your site and your organization from these consequences with ideal website hosting packages and monthly technical maintenance programs along with the appropriate application of an SSL Certificate for your site.What is an SSL Certificate and how will it benefit me?
Google has a global security certification that authenticates the identity of a website and enables any information that is collected on the website to be encrypted to decrease its chance of being stolen. With proof of legitimacy and payment, an SSL certificate or Secure Sockets Layer certification is applied to the website environment. Traditionally, this was only important for websites that had a shopping cart or were asking for financial information of any kind. Today, it is essential for all sites to have this certification. Not only does it communicate to your visitors that you are legitimate, but it protects visitor data, and also allows your website to be found and appreciated. Sites that do not have SSL certificates are often ranked lower in organic search results. And, many browsers and corporate security programs will blacklist a site that does not have an SSL, warning that the site may be unsafe or illegitimate.
You can see if your website utilizes SSL Certification by checking the website address (.URL) field in the website browser (look to the top left of your computer screen or mobile device). Secured sites will have a padlock icon before the web address. Sites that do not have SSL certificates will display an open padlock symbol or otherwise indicate that they are "not secure." All visitors will see this designation. Would you offer information to or support an organization that's not secure? Most will not.
Appropriate application of an SSL Certificate will not only foster visitor confidence, but it will boost your search engine rankings as well. Google added this piece into their ever-changing search equation so those who choose not to certify will suffer additional consequences.
When it comes to websites, the "better safe than sorry," philosophy certainly applies. If your site is an essential marketing and communication tool, it's worth taking the necessary steps to secure your investment. Your visitors will certainly appreciate it.
At Business Builders Marketing, we are a full-service marketing agency that specializes in web development, social media management, graphic design, and video production services. We offer website updating and maintenance packages that support healthy website environments and welcome questions. Visit us online at www.businessbuildersmarketing.com.
You can see if your website utilizes SSL Certification by checking the website address (.URL) field in the website browser (look to the top left of your computer screen or mobile device). Secured sites will have a padlock icon before the web address. Sites that do not have SSL certificates will display an open padlock symbol or otherwise indicate that they are "not secure." All visitors will see this designation. Would you offer information to or support an organization that's not secure? Most will not.
Appropriate application of an SSL Certificate will not only foster visitor confidence, but it will boost your search engine rankings as well. Google added this piece into their ever-changing search equation so those who choose not to certify will suffer additional consequences.
When it comes to websites, the "better safe than sorry," philosophy certainly applies. If your site is an essential marketing and communication tool, it's worth taking the necessary steps to secure your investment. Your visitors will certainly appreciate it.
At Business Builders Marketing, we are a full-service marketing agency that specializes in web development, social media management, graphic design, and video production services. We offer website updating and maintenance packages that support healthy website environments and welcome questions. Visit us online at www.businessbuildersmarketing.com.