What happens if I don’t have an SSL on my website?

Ever noticed that little padlock in your browser’s address bar? That’s the sign of an SSL certificate, and it’s a big deal for your website. Thinking about skipping it? Hold up—let’s talk about why that might not be the best idea. Without an SSL, you’re leaving your site vulnerable to hackers, risking your visitors’ trust, and even taking a hit on your search engine rankings.

We’ll break down exactly what happens when you go without that crucial layer of security and why getting SSL is a no-brainer for keeping your site safe and credible.

What are the ramifications of not having an SSL on my website?

• "Not Secure" indicator - Chrome Browser (made by Google) has 66% of the browser market share worldwide. If you do not have an SSL, Chrome will mark your site as “Non-Secure”. All major browsers including Firefox and Safari are moving to a user interface that will warn users about insecure pages.

• Consumer distrust – I have received my fair share of notices saying my information had been part of a security breach. Seeing a “not secure” notice when I visit a site makes me a little less likely to want to complete any online transaction (even if it’s not monetary), create an online account or complete a contact form with that company.
• Lower search rankings – It is rare to have Google come right out and tell you one thing you can do to increase your search engine rankings, but they have with SSL. Google has said that they are using HTTPS as a ranking signal.
• Data loss and/or site hacking – the core function of an SSL is to protect your site data. Keep hackers out of your site (strong passwords help here too, more on that in a later blog) and keep your site communications private with an SSL.

Our recommendation is that all sites have an SSL certificate installed. If you have questions or want to learn more visit our hosting information page or contact us directly!

For more info on SSL Certificates, watch our short video below.