
In person and online, it’s important to take steps to protect the things that are important to you. We lock our cars, our house, and there is no end to the steps we take to secure our personal identities from nefarious actors. The same protections are critical for small businesses, and ensuring your website is secure is not just a matter of protecting data but also a critical factor for search engine optimization (SEO). One of the key elements of web security is SSL. But what does it mean for a website to be “SSL enabled,” and why is it so important for SEO? This edition of SEO 101 will delve into the details, providing a comprehensive guide for business owners and website administrators.
Editor’s Note: This post is part of our SEO 101 series. Click below for the previous entries:
SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer. It is a standard security technology for establishing an encrypted link between a server and a client—typically a web server (website) and a browser, or a mail server and a mail client (e.g., Outlook). This link ensures that all data passed between the web server and browsers remain private and integral.
When a website is SSL enabled, it uses the HTTPS protocol instead of HTTP, where the “S” stands for “secure.”
Since 2014, Google has been advocating for a safer web, and part of this initiative involves encouraging websites to adopt HTTPS. Google has confirmed that SSL is a ranking signal in its search algorithm. Here’s why:
SSL protects your website from various cyber threats, including:
Different types of SSL certificates cater to different needs:
That’s it. That’s the whole section. With our website design packages and our Concierge packages, we do this for you and you don’t have to worry about it.
Enabling SSL on your website is a crucial step for enhancing security, building trust, and improving your SEO performance. As search engines continue to prioritize user safety, having a secure, SSL-enabled website is not just a best practice but a necessary component of your digital strategy. By understanding and implementing SSL, you can protect your site’s data, boost your rankings, and provide a safer, more reliable user experience.
For business owners and website administrators, the message is clear: securing your site with SSL is an investment in your website’s credibility, user trust, and search engine visibility. Don’t wait—make the switch to HTTPS and see the benefits for yourself. If you aren’t sure about your site’s status, of course we can help. Email us at support@strottner.com, or test your site using our free audit tool. It can be found on almost any page of our site, and definitely on the Homepage.
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