SSL Certificate

To check if a website has an SSL certificate, check the address bar on the browser. The website’s URL should have a padlock icon on the left and an HTTPS (not HTTP) address. This tells users that the website has an SSL certificate and it’s safe to provide confidential details on it.

Your website doesn't need an SSL certificate to function. But without one, search engines like Google will tag your website as unsecure to warn users against leaving personal information on your website and may potentially not appear on search rankings. Not to mention that your website will be more vulnerable to cyber threats.

Here are some of the most important reasons why you should get an SSL certificate:

SSL essentially encrypts confidential data into a code or a cipher so only the intended receiver can access it. This protects all information that users provide when signing in or doing transactions through your website. SSL encryption keeps private information from being stolen or tampered with by cybercriminals.

Getting an SSL certificate requires you to undergo a validation process by the Certificate Authority (CA). This confirms the authenticity of your website, domain, and business. Having an SSL certificate means your website is legitimate.

Search engines, especially Google, value user safety. Therefore, websites with HTTPS are ranked higher on the search results.

An SSL certificate comes with a padlock icon. This is a visual indication to potential customers that their data is secured should they decide to do business with you.