If you’re not familiar with an SSL certificate, you might not be sure if it’s worth the price. Here’s what you need to know.
While your business’s website opens up the door of opportunity, it also opens up your company and customers to an online world of danger. That’s where an SLL certificate comes into play. To best provide your audience with a safe and secure environment where they don’t have to worry about their personal information being stolen, make sure you purchase an SSL certificate.
What Exactly is an SSL Certificate?
A Secured Sockets Layer (SSL) is an online tool that lets customers know that your website is safe from outside threats. This certificate was initially made to help secure communication between a website and a user’s computer. Current SSL certificates use a cryptographic key that essentially changes private information into a secret code that can’t be read by third parties.
To know if a website has an active SSL certificate, just look at its web address. Regular websites start with HTTP://,while secure websites begin with” HTTPS://.”
Why Your Business Needs an SSL Certificate
Anyone paying attention to the news these days can’t help but see the many security breaches that happen online. Companies like Facebook, Google, Bank of America, and many more have been the target of hackers.
For a small business, a security breach can mean the end of the line. Most companies are forced to close their doors within six months of a successful cyber-attack. Not only will a successful attack against your website cost you your reputation, but it could also result in fines and other legal matters.
While it used to be sufficient to employ a good antivirus program on your servers or build a strong firewall, these kinds of protections just aren’t enough anymore.
There are a variety of benefits to purchasing an SSL certificate for your business:
- Block hackers before they start
- Customers trust a secure site
- You’ll enjoy a boost in your Google rankings
- Your eCommerce site will see an increased sales conversion rate
- Browsers won’t block users from seeing your site
How Do I Obtain A SSL Certificate?
Purchasing the necessary certificate is pretty straightforward. Most reliable certificates come from Certificate Authorities (Cas). These organizations exist to verify the identity of the company or site that is requesting the certificate. Another option would be to go through your website’s hosting provider.
To get your certificate, you’ll have to verify your domain name and prove that you own the business.
The Cost
Depending on the makeup of our website, you’ll find that a reliable SSL certificate is a reasonable expense.
- Single domain: $3-$5 per year
- Multiple subdomains hosted on a single site: $50-$90 per year
- Multiple websites: $20-$35 per year
- Extended validation (the most trusted certificate): $80-$150 per year
Some web hosting companies offer discounted or free certificates with the purchase of other services, so it’s worth exploring your options.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, purchasing an SSL certificate is a small price to pay to offer your company the upper hand online. Even if you’re not running an eCommerce business, having the proper certification can help your blog or online publication get more views from Google.
In a world where customer data is beyond valuable, you owe it to your clients and your business to offer the kind of protection that comes with an SSL certificate. Explore your options and enjoy the benefits before it’s too late.
This post may contain affiliate links. Meaning a commission is given should you decide to make a purchase through these links, at no cost to you. All products shown are researched and tested to give an accurate review for you.
