How likely are you to shop on a site marked as “unsafe”?
If you are like most people, then not at all.
Today’s consumers are savvy and they want to buy from brands that are ethically sound. This includes doing everything they can to protect their customers’ data.
Now, what if we told you that if your website doesn’t have an SSL certificate, Google will display it as “Not Secure”? This should ring alarm bells.
But don’t worry – there’s an easy (and free) way whatsapp blasting to update your site’s security with an SSL certificate.
Ready to learn how? Then keep reading.
First of all, what is SSL?
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is an Internet protocol used to protect data transmitted between websites and user browsers.
Let’s say you allow customers to register for an account that stores all their contact details. This saves them having to enter their name, address, phone number, and payment details every time they check out.
But without an SSL certificate, users’ financial details, personal data, and login credentials are vulnerable to hackers.
By installing an SSL certificate, you upgrade to an HTTPS URL, which tells visitors that your website is now secure. They will also see a padlock next to your browser address.
This helps build trust with your visitors and protects your business from otherwise avoidable hacker attacks.
I have a WordPress site — do I need one?
Providing your website with an SSL certificate has become an Internet standard today. Therefore, if you want to improve your ranking in Google and other search engines, it is a must (even if you don’t accept purchases through your website).
But even if you only collect basic information from your visitors, such as their login details, name, and email, it’s great to have an SSL certificate.
Don’t try to run an eCommerce store or membership site without one! You don’t want to put your business, reputation, or customers at risk.
In many cases, online payment services require that you have an HTTPS site before you can set up an account.
Anyone using the Google Chrome browser will see the words “Not Secure” next to your URL. In other words, this is a great way to keep users from entering your site.
How do SSL certificates work?
The idea of securing your website with an SSL certificate might sound complicated. But it’s not as complicated as you might think.
But before we get into how to use them, let’s take a quick look at how they work.
When you install an SSL certificate on your website, it creates a filter that encrypts all data going to and from your browser and your website.
You can’t see this happening because it happens behind the scenes.
Whenever you submit information through a website, your browser uses the website’s public key to encrypt it to protect your data. The site then receives the data, decrypting it using the public key and the secret private key.
Additionally, if you try to access a website, your browser will allow access immediately if it has an SSL certificate.
However, you may come across some websites that direct you to a security warning page that you must manually override in order to continue.
On the other hand, if the website is secure, then you can enter immediately.
Are SSL Certificates Really Free?
Where you get your SSL certificate from will determine if you have to pay a fee. However, many places will charge you anywhere from $50 to $200 per year.
Most people purchase their SSL certificate from a domain registrar such as GoDaddy.
But you can always go the free route instead of going for paid services.
This allows any website owner (regardless of budget) to protect their website. If you are just starting out and don’t have $75 to pay for an SSL certificate, you can use a non-profit organization such asLet’s Encrypt.
It is growing in popularity, with support from big companies like Google, WordPress.com, and Shopify.
However, this means that you have to install the SSL certificate yourself, which may be a bit difficult for some people.
Next, let’s look at how to install an SSL certificate for your website.
Step 1: Go to your website cPanel
Before you begin, you must log in to your web hosting control panel. Once you are there, you must enable the free SSL certificate feature.
Go to the WordPress Tools section and click on the Security area. You should see Free SSL Certificate is turned off. Simply click on it to enable it.
If you’re not sure how to get here, contact your hosting company for assistance.
Step 2: Change the URL to HTTPS
After you enable your free SSL certificate, your site is now using the HTTPS protocol. But you are not done yet.
Now you have to switch all your URLs from HTTP to HTTPS. You have to do this from the backend to inform the browser that your website is now secure.
If your WordPress site is brand new, then you have presentation brochure of the privacy tech brand obtained to go to the Settings page. You can get here by logging into your admin panel and clicking Settings > General.
From here, you will be able to enter HTTPS in front of the URL in the “WordPress Address (URL)” and “Site Address (URL)” text boxes.
Make sure to click the ‘Save Changes’ button to save your new settings.
If you’re using an existing WordPress site, the steps are slightly different.
This is because Google and other search engines have already indexed your site. You can use a plugin to safely make updates (without wreaking havoc on existing pages).
The name of this plugin is Really Simple SSL. It is user-friendly and quick to apply. All you have to do is install and activate the plugin and it will do the rest.
It detects which of your URLs need updating and changes them to HTTPS.
So where can you find this handy tool?
You can log in to your WordPress website’s admin panel and click Plugins > Add New.
All you have to do now is type “Really Simple SSL” in the search box on the “Add a Plugin” screen. Once you find it, click Install Now. Once the installation is complete, you have to click Activate.
Once completed, you will receive a message saying it has been activated.
Step 3: Update your Google Analytics
If you use Google Analytics to track traffic and other data for your site, you must update this data as well.
Otherwise, it will stop receiving data from your site because it is tracking your old URL.
Simply log into your Google Analytics account and go to the Admin > Property Settings area.
Find the Basic Settings section and go to Default URL. Here you can change it from HTTP:// to https://.
Don’t forget to click the “Save” button and you’re done!
Encrypting Your WordPress Site
See? Installing an SSL certificate is easy and free. Now, all you have to do is apply what you just learned.
Even if you don’t sell anything (or collect critical information), you can’t continue to operate an unsecured WordPress website.
If you have web forms on your website fans data that collect names and emails, you need an SSL certificate.
Also, keep in mind that HTTPS websites have higher authority in search engine rankings.
If you don’t have enhanced security measures, you are only putting yourself and your visitors at risk.
Data breaches are on the rise, so you have to do what you can to avoid legal trouble. If your data is stolen by hackers, you could end up getting fined for not doing something as simple as encrypting your website.
Ready to get started? Then head to your cPanel and follow the steps above!
