The emergence of Internet technology has brought us better solutions and improved protection for our websites. Companies like Google have been working continuously to make the web a safer place by encouraging website owners to use HTTPS protocols and SSL certificates, which ensure the safety of the data transmitted from one system to another via a secure encrypted channel. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have different roles to play in meeting the requirements of various departments such as Sales, HR, Customer Services, and even Webmaster/IT admins for the growth and productivity of their businesses.
Small businesses often struggle to juggle multiple aspects of their operations simultaneously. For many, their website is a crucial tool for attracting customers and establishing a foothold in the market, even if they are not in the retail industry. Startups in industries like restaurants, cleaning services, accounting, travel, logistics, healthcare, and others rely heavily on their website to promote their services and establish their brand across the world. Whether it's geographically or statistically, people find and engage with SMEs through the internet.
What is an SSL certificate?
SSL or Secure Sockets Layer is an encrypted connection between a web server and a browser that has been available for over 20 years. SSL provides protection to the website from any potential threats, and it also ensures the website visitor's data is secure while being transferred over the network. It is imperative for any enterprise having a website to obtain an SSL certificate for it. In the past, many organizations and end-users delayed its adoption due to its pricing and implementation complexities. However, nowadays, it has become much easier to acquire an SSL certificate with low cost and hassle-free deployment.
What is HTTPS?
HTTPS stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Security and is the secure version of HTTP. Google and Chrome differentiate some websites that obtain an SSL certificate and usually display them with the HTTPS prefix. Sites that are not secured are represented using the HTTP prefix.
What are the SSL Certificate Options?
Depending upon the organization's requirement, these are the three levels of SSL certifications mentioned below. All these SSLs include the same level of encryption, regardless of their costs.
- Domain Validated Certificates (DVSSLs): The SSLs that are checked against the domain registry are called Domain Validated Certificates. One cannot identify the organizational information of these certificates, hence suggested not to be used for commercial purposes. This is one of the most inexpensive certificates but is a high-risk certificate to use on a public website. It is advisable to use DV certificates for websites where security is not a concern.
- Organizational Validated Certificates (OVSSLs): These belong to the trusted categories. Organizations that real agents strictly authenticate against the government-hosted business registry databases are provided with OVSSLs. This is one of the standard certificates that contain the legitimate business information required to validate any organization.
- Extended Validation Certificates (EVSSLs): EVSSLs include all the above security features along with the utmost security that increases customer confidence and imparts better online transaction experiences. This is no longer a luxury but a necessity for sites with the highest security level and vetting.
What is the need for an SSL Certificate?
Some of the important reasons to have SSL certificates are given as follows:
- To Increase the Security of the Website
- Protect all the Subdomains
- Build Credibility and Trust for Customers with Extended Authentication
- Improve Search Engine Rankings and SEO Advantages
- Protect the Business Ranking and Reputation
- Maintain Lead Generation
- Strongest Encryption to Secure Information
- Safe and Secure Mode of Payment
How to Obtain an SSL Certificate?
You can check with your current website hosting provider for the SSL Certificates. All the SSL versions are paid, and the services vary according to the requirements of the enterprise. The benefits of activating SSL certificates for businesses or even personal websites are incredible. The website hosting provider makes it much easier to install and deploy the SSL certificates and adds an extra layer of security for the website visitors too.
If you wish to avail of an SSL certificate for your website, reach out to TECH GURU, a dedicated web hosting solution provider committed to the security of the clients while they undertake online transactions through the websites. Call us at +91 8800567676 or drop an email at [email protected]