If you’ve wondered what an SSL Certificate is and why your site is saying it is not secure, then read on for all of the answers to your SSL questions!

Ever since Google Chrome started warning users that their sites are “not secure,” I have been getting a LOT of clients calling and emailing me in a blind panic, asking me, “Why is my site saying ‘NOT SECURE’?” Don’t worry. This doesn’t mean your site is not safe – is just not as safe as it COULD be. This is Google’s way of pushing us all into a more secure world. It’s called SSL/HTTPS, and it’s actually a good thing. Google has been warning us that it was going to do this for quite a while, but if you’re like many of my clients (and Google protocol isn’t your whole world), then it can be quite a shock. 

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Simply put, when you see your site is “not secure,” it’s because your site does not have an SSL Certificate. It DOESN’T mean your site has a virus, it’s been hacked, or it’s truly unsafe (especially if you host with us), BUT it’s not as safe as it could be. In addition to making your site much safer, purchasing and installing an SSL certificate will make your site HTTPS. Once your site has an SSL certificate, that pesky notice on the top of Google Chrome will go away, thereby making visitors feel safer.

Check to see if your website has an SSL Certificate

WHAT IS AN SSL CERTIFICATE?

An SSL certificate will establish HTTPS (secure) protocol on your website. That means when someone visits your site, it will create a secure connection between the client and the server – thereby encrypting any data and communication.

THE BETTER QUESTION TO ASK IS “WHY DO I NEED AN SSL CERTIFICATE?”

HubSpot found that 82% of people will leave a site that’s not secure

Well, besides the obvious (we all want to feel safe and secure), there are some SEO benefits to securing your website with an SSL certificate. The main benefit is better ranking! Back in August 2014, Google announced HTTPS as a new ranking signal as part of their initiative to make the internet a safer place. This means that sites with HTTPS have an advantage over sites that use HTTP. We applaud and support their efforts and are very pleased that it means better ranking, too!

Here are some more benefits you can expect to get when adding an SSL certificate to your site.

  • ENCRYPTION: Protects your site from information theft and prevents cyber attacks.

  • AUTHENTICATION: Proves that your site is who and what it says it is.

  • SAFETY: Any data transmitted through your site is safe and can not be interrupted or modified.

  • TRUST: Your site is trustworthy and makes your visitors feel safe and secure.

  • SEO: Your site will actually rank better, giving you an advantage in the search engines.

  • GOOGLE CHROME: If you don’t get one, Google is not-so-subtly going to call you out. OUCH!

SECURE YOUR SITE WITH HTTPS

Are you ready to purchase an SSL? We can help! Click the button below to see which options we offer. Clients who host with us get a FREE SSL certificate and only pay for installation!

Click here to see our SSL Certificate Options

Online Marketing Tips

We’ve been in the online website marketing business since 2004 and we love what we do! If you are looking for more tips, check out our How to Make a Google Business Page for your Company in 7 Easy Steps or How to Add a Business to Apple Maps (For FREE!): Step-by-Step Guide!

If you need some tips on how to go viral then check out my blog post on Unleashing the Power of Viral Marketing Campaigns: 7 Tips to Make Your Blog Posts Go Viral plus Strategies, Tools, and Examples. Need help with your websites SEO? Check out My 3 BEST Real Estate Website SEO & Lead Generation Tips.

YourSiteNeedsMe is a Real Estate Websites WordPress Designer for REALTORS and enjoys writing blog posts about hot topics and fun things to do.

SSL Certificates & HTTPS: What is it and why do I need it?