What is an SSL certificate and do I need one?

If you are not careful, it can be rather easy to have your personal and private information or even your entire website hijacked and fall into the wrong hands on the Internet. There are many cyber criminals and predators out there so it is important to be cautious. The last thing you need or want is for your website visitors to be vulnerable to these types of attacks. Sites are best kept secure with the encryption of SSL certificates.

Unless your website is encrypted with an SSL certificate, it’s available on the network for anyone to see and even modify. It is especially important to have this extra layer of security when collecting any information from your website visitors. SSL encryption allows for secure connections from a web server to a browser and vice versa. At the beginning of 2017 Google Chrome will be notifying users if they are on a website that is not secured. Please see below for additional FAQs.

Do I absolutely need to have an SSL certificate for my website?

Yes, if your website collects information from users use such as payment information, email addresses and other contact information, you should definitely invest in an SSL certificate. Having one helps to promote trust between you and your website visitors and proves your business or company’s authenticity.

Aren’t SSL certificates only necessary for e-commerce sites?

This used to be true. With the increase in cyber crime and in an effort to make the internet a safer place, having an SSL certificate provides your customers and audience base with confidence and a visible sign of security when they are using your website.

How can I tell if my website has an SSL certificate?

If your website has an SSL certificate the url prefix will display as https instead of http. Your browser will also show a green lock next to the url showing that it’s secure.

Is an SSL certificate expensive and how can I go about purchasing one?

SSL certificates are very affordable and well worth their associated cost. You can get one now for well under $200 per year. Just like with domain names and web hosting providers, there are no shortage of options when it comes to SSL certificate sellers. At Site Rockstar, we can help with finding the best option for you and your business and get it installed on your website.

Having a strong reputation with your online presence is crucial for success and we understand that. If your website isn’t encrypted with an SSL certificate, contact us and we’ll get you set up right away.

Get an SSL certificate now >>>