In recent years, we’ve seen several big headlines regarding data breaches that have shaken our trust in brands we know and love. These incidents have also made us very cautious about how we share information and with whom — and have put extreme pressure on businesses to go the extra mile to protect their consumers’ privacy.
For most businesses, ensuring their website is safe and secure is a key component of meeting this expectation. Consumers want to know that basic activities such as filling out a form or downloading an asset won’t compromise their personal information. And businesses need to ensure that they are using the right tools and fulfilling all the requirements necessary to make this happen.
At the top of that list of requirements is obtaining an SSL certificate for your website. This certification is a must for businesses that want to ensure the safe transfer of information.
Chances are you want to know a bit more about SSL certificates before you run off to get one for your website. Today, we’re going to demystify the world of SSL certificates by walking you through why you need one for your website, how to get it, and how the right tools can ensure that you’re on top of the renewal process.
What Is An SSL Certificate and Why Does Your Business Need It?
An SSL certificate is designed to verify the identity of a website owner and ensure that all confidential information and data transferred between the user and website owner is encrypted so that it remains private and secure. In doing so, an SSL certificate helps give both your business and your customers peace of mind that all the necessary actions to prevent hackers and scammers from accessing and stealing sensitive information are being taken.
Some of the information that SSL certificates help to protect include:
- Credit card and bank details
- Name, address, phone number, and social security number
- Medical documents
- Legal documents
In a world where a large percentage of transactions are performed online, SSL certification is a must-have for any business, regardless of the industry. Even simple (but essential) consumer actions like filling out a form to download an asset can make a website visitor afraid that their data will be misused. Reassuring your customers that their information is secure and will only be used for the purpose you’ve both agreed to will help your business establish credibility and trust.
What Are the Requirements for an SSL Certificate and How Do You Obtain One?
Businesses and website owners can purchase SSL certificates through Certification Authorities. Businesses can usually purchase these directly from their web host for an additional fee (we supply SSL certificates within all our website build packages).
Currently, there are three different types of certificates — all of which involve their own application process:
This type of certificate is the most simple and is only intended to verify the owner of the website. Pretty much anybody with an email can obtain this type of certification, making it a popular choice among scammers and cybercriminals (and much less trustworthy).
These certificates are designed for websites that deal with transactions that pose a lower level of risk. To obtain this type of certificate, businesses must verify the name of their company, location, and domain.
This certificate offers the highest level of security and is the best choice for businesses handling highly-sensitive information and data. Businesses that wish to obtain this certification must undergo a thorough review process.
Ultimately, the SSL certificate you choose will depend on the needs of your business and the level of trust you wish to establish among your audience.
How Does Act-On Help Make SSL Certification Easy?
Unfortunately, obtaining an SSL certificate can be time-consuming and usually isn’t on most marketers’ radar.
Thankfully, 22 Century Design & Marketing makes SSL Certification easier than ever. All 22 Century web customers can rest easy knowing we’ve already got your back on organising and installing this, we will also sent you upcoming renewal reminders too.
22 Century Can Help You Improve Website Traffic, Build Credibility, and So Much More!
Ensuring your website is safe and secure is just one component of an effective business strategy. 22 Century Design & Marketing makes it easy for your business to comply with security requirements so that you can focus your time and efforts on developing your business to pack a punch and have an impact on your bottom line.
