Marketers entered a frenzy when Google announced that SSL certificates would be a ranking factor.
While it is true that having a website with SSL will boost your SEO rankings, it is not as big of a deal as some people make it out to be.
Increased Security
SSL certificates create an extra layer of security for websites, encrypting information and creating a secure connection. This ensures that sensitive data such as names and email addresses remain safe from hackers. It also improves user experience by eliminating warning messages that may deter users from engaging with a website.
With the increasing number of cyber-attacks, data breaches, and other security issues, web users are becoming more cautious when using the internet. As a result, search engines emphasize secure and encrypted websites more, giving them a higher ranking in the SERP.
In addition, Google has even started flagging websites without an SSL certificate as non-secure and displaying them as such in browsers. As such, a business that doesn’t opt for an SSL certificate will most likely be relegated to page 2 or lower in the SERP, even if it has high-quality content and thousands of powerful backlinks. This is because of the trust factor that comes with a secure website.
Better User Experience
SSL certificates help to boost SEO rankings by ensuring that website visitors are provided with a better experience. When visitors see the padlock on your site, they know that their data is secure and that the website owner takes security seriously. This helps to inspire confidence in the user and can lead to increased engagement times on your site.
On the other hand, unsecured websites can cause visitors to lose faith and may prompt them to leave the page when they see a message telling them the website is not secure. This can result in a high bounce rate which will ultimately cause Google to demote the website’s ranking.
Even though SSL won’t miraculously move your website to the top of the search engine results pages, it will matter in the long term. Some have even reported a jump in their rankings after switching to SSL. However, using it on all website pages is essential to get the most out of your SSL certificate checker.
Increased Conversion Rate
Having an SSL certificate not only helps secure data but it also enhances website visitor trust. When visitors are confident that their data is safe, they are more likely to engage with a website and convert into customers or readers.
Google significantly pushed web admins to adopt HTTPS by making it a ranking signal in 2014. As a result, websites using SSL certificates have an advantage over sites that don’t.
Moreover, search engine optimization is often an inexact science. Companies and individuals spend years learning about SEO, implementing complicated strategies, and analyzing the latest trends to maximize their search engine rankings. Unfortunately, one wrong move by Google can throw all your hard work out the window. Thankfully, SSL certificates can help you get back on track. Those who fail to install SSL certificates will be punished by Google, pushing them down the search results list. Fortunately, several SSL certificates depend on your website’s needs and budget. Even small businesses can afford to boost their organic search engine rankings by installing an SSL certificate.
Increased Trust
SSL certificates support a website’s increased customer trust and search engine ranking. This is because visitors know their personal and financial information will be safe when they visit a site with an SSL certificate. This is particularly crucial for e-commerce sites because most customers purchase there.
Most visitors expect to see a padlock icon or green bar at the top of a website before they feel comfortable providing personal information. They may visit a competitor’s site offering a more secure experience if they do not.
SSL certificates are one of the best methods to improve a company’s reputation for security and dependability. They are inexpensive and easy to install and can significantly impact SEO rankings. Studies have shown that websites with SSL certificates are ranked higher than their HTTP counterparts. This is because search engines prioritize websites offering a safer browsing experience for their users. In addition, Google has recently started marking all HTTP pages as insecure in its browser, further motivating businesses to migrate to SSL.
Better Search Engine Rankings.
SSL certificates slightly boost SEO rankings, which is why so many digital marketers are eager to implement them on their sites. However, it is essential to note that boosting SEO rankings with an SSL certificate also requires many other factors.
For example, SSL is only one of the 200+ ranking factors that Google considers before listing a site on its search engine results pages. If you don’t have quality content or backlinks, your SSL certificate isn’t much help getting you to the top of the SERPs. This is why you need to take a holistic approach to website optimization and use the right tools for the job. Still, implementing an SSL Certificate is an excellent place to start.