SSL or Secure Socket Layer is a security protocol that websites use to communicate with their servers. It has been around for a long time and is a fundamental part of how the internet works. Last year however Google announced publically that SSL is one of the factors present in their algorithm and that by having one on your site you stood a better chance of appearing higher in the search rankings.
It’s worth pointing out that Google never does this. Their policy is always to keep the exact mechanics of their algorithm a closely guarded secret, hidden away in some underground bunker in California no doubt. So needless to say this announcement made the headlines and the online marketing community has taken notice.
Having SSL on your site protects the visitors who use it from having their data intercepted by hackers. It encrypts the data so that in the event of someone getting hold of it, if they don’t have the correct encryption key, it is impossible to read. This is great for any site which customers interact with e.g. with a contact form and is absolutely essential for websites which take online sales.
If you don’t currently have an SSL certificate you can contact us today and we’ll install one for you on your website. It’s an easy way of improving your site’s security and instantly ticks one box on Google’s list of recommendations. A simple change well worth the investment.
