What would be the importance of the SSL certificate for your site and your business? Do you really need it? First, what is an SSL certificate? Do you know what it is?
If not yet, continue reading our article to learn more about the most important thing not to neglect when installing and launching a business or e-commerce website.
Importance of SSL certificate: it is no longer up for debate!
If you have a website or blog in 2023, whether you have web hosting in Morocco or elsewhere, you need SSL: period!
It's as simple as that.
An SSL certificate is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity these days, and we'll explain why right away.
To better explain the importance of the SSL certificate, let's start by telling you what an SSL certificate is.
Importance of the SSL certificate and HTTPS
The abbreviation SSL stands for "Secure Socket Layer" in English. It was initially created to secure online financial transactions under the initiative of Netscape and MasterCard.
The SSL certificate is the standard computer security protocol that enables basic encryption of data sent from a web server to a browser, and vice versa.
In this way, you can be sure that information exchanged between two terminals as part of an Internet communication is completely inaccessible to third parties.
So, if your website is SSL-secured, it will proudly display the famous little padlock in front of your website's web address on browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Netscape, etc. Your customers will feel safe and won't hesitate to entrust you with their sensitive data related to their identities and online payment details.
You can also install your SSL certificate yourself via cPanel. The procedure is explained in our database.
How does an SSL certificate work?
Since a picture is worth a thousand words, here's a clear explanation:
- Your browser connects to the website (on a web server) secured with an SSL certificate (the website's address is now in https format). The browser then asks the server to identify itself.
- The website server then sends a copy of its SSL certificate, including the server's public key.
- Your browser checks the certificate root among a list of certified issuers (CA) and ensures that the certificate is not expired or revoked and that the current domain is part of the domains authorized by the certificate. If your browser ends up trusting the certificate, it creates, encrypts, and sends a symmetric session key using the server's public key.
- The server then decrypts the symmetric session key using its private key and sends an encrypted acknowledgment with the session key to start an encrypted session.
- The secure connection is established, and you can browse with peace of mind!
But an SSL certificate is expensive and often costly... is it still that important?
It should be noted that SSL certificates are becoming more and more widespread today, with many websites adopting them, including (and especially!) online sales platforms.
SSL certificates come in a wide range of prices, from the cheapest to the most expensive. It all depends on the level of security each type of certificate provides for your website.
Of course, the fact that you have to pay for this security standard shouldn't be a deterrent, given the number of customers you'll lose.
Indeed, very few people enter their bank details without first checking that the site they intend to use is secure.
So it's a good idea to understand the importance of SSL certificates and invest in this protocol to give your customers confidence: wouldn't you like to encourage them to spend more on your online store without fear?
5 reasons that confirm the importance of the SSL certificate for your website
As you've probably guessed, using an SSL certificate prevents your sensitive data from being spied on or intercepted.
This makes it virtually impossible for the first hacker to access the content of a communication between servers and browsers.
This is an authentication method that allows Internet users (your future prospects and customers) to be sure that the site they are on (yours!) is indeed authentic and not a phishing attempt. Your customers will be 100% reassured.
1. SSL protects data
The importance of the SSL certificate lies in its main function, which is to protect the communication between the server and the client. When installing SSL, each piece of information is encrypted.
In simple terms, the data is locked and can only be unlocked by the intended recipient (browser or server) because no one else can have the key to open it.
When it comes to sensitive data such as identities, passwords, credit card numbers, etc., SSL helps protect you from malicious hackers.
When data is rendered indecipherable by SSL, hackers' skills are considerably weakened by the unsurpassed encryption technology of SSL certificates.
2. SSL confirms your identity
The second main role of an SSL certificate is to provide authentication to a website.
Identity verification is one of the most important aspects of web security.
Life on the Internet is becoming increasingly "risky".
There have been cases where people have lost thousands of dollars on bogus websites. That's where the importance of the SSL certificate comes in.
When you want to install an SSL certificate, you have to go through a validation process defined by an independent third party called a Certification Authority (CA).
Depending on the type of certificate, the CA verifies your identity and that of your organization. Once you've proved your identity, your website receives trust indicators that guarantee your integrity.
When users see them, they know who they're for.
To illustrate the importance of SSL certificates, let's make a quick comparison: it's like having a verified Twitter account.
The only difference here is that you are required to verify your identity for the website instead of the Twitter account. This verification ensures that no impostor creates a fake website pretending to be yours.
3. SSL helps you meet PCI/DSS requirements
If you accept online payments, you should know a little about PCI/DSS requirements.
To receive online payments, your website must comply with the PCI standard. Installing an SSL certificate is one of the 12 main requirements set by the Payment Card Industry (PCI).
The importance of the SSL certificate is therefore undeniable, whether you like it or not.
4. SSL Boosts Customer Trust
In addition to encryption and authentication, SSL certificates are essential for customer confidence. The easy-to-identify signs inform users that the data they send will be secure.
And if you've installed an SSL OV or EV, they can see your organization's contact details. Once they know you're a legitimate entity, they're much more likely to do business with you, or even visit your site again.
5. Better ranking in search engines
In 2014, Google modified its algorithm to further favor HTTPS-enabled websites. This has been highlighted in various studies conducted by SEO experts around the world.
One such study, conducted by Brian Dean, founder of Backlinko.com, shows a strong correlation between HTTPS and better search engine rankings.
Wouldn't you be against the idea of having your website appear on the first page of Google, would you?
Google makes SSL mandatory in 2018
Isn't this irrefutable proof of the importance of the SSL certificate?
To make web browsing safer from 2018, Google has decided to flag websites that don't have an SSL/TLS certificate installed on their site.
If someone breaks this rule, all the popular web browsers used around the world, such as Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, will punish them by displaying a "Not secure" warning message in the URL bar.
It's possible that, in the near future, a website will even be blocked from loading on the browser.
Whatever your website, whether it's a personal blog or a shopping portal, SSL is mandatory, and failure to comply can result in the loss of visitors, which is not a situation any website owner would like to face.
The different types of SSL certificates
There are several types of SSL security protocols:
SSL Certificate with Domain Validation
This certificate, issued by the Certification Authority or CA, is required for basic encryption and can be obtained by simply authenticating the domain name.
It is also the most affordable protocol, and does not require the display of applicant information in the secure site seal.
SSL Certificate with Enterprise Validation
This certificate provides more security for a website since it authenticates the company or the domain name associated with it. Of course, it is a little more expensive than the previous protocol.
SSL Certificate with Extended Validation (EV)
Here, EV SSL security is optimal, which means that there is virtually no risk of hacking or interception of sensitive data.
However, this SSL certificate is obtained after a thorough examination of all the parameters involved in setting up the company and its website.
We also offer hosting packages with SSL certificates to host your professional sites.
To find out more, visit our professional web hosting page.
