What is an SSL certificate
An SSL certificate (or electronic certificate or digital certificate) is the equivalent of a digital identity card. The certificate is materialized by a data file linking a cryptographic key to the information of a natural or legal person. The certificate secures data exchanges by encryption between a web server and the browser of an Internet user. A secure site or application is easily identifiable thanks to the https protocol visible in the address bar of your web browser. Here are some pointers on what an SSL certificate is and how to consider it in your SEO strategy.
Secure Online Payments
If your website accepts credit card payments and/or stores your customers’ financial information, you must use the SSL Certificate protocol to protect your users from information interception. In addition, it is likely that hosting providers and credit card companies will require the SSL Certificate.
It helps your SEO
SSL certificate helps search engine optimization. Google has publicly stated that for two websites with equal search results, if one is enabled for an SSL certificate, it may rank slightly higher than the other. Therefore, enabling SSL on your website has an SEO benefit.
It is even mandatory
Having one has been mandatory for all website owners for a few years. It allows you to obtain a URL beginning with “https” instead of “http”. Even if this may seem like a detail, web browsers no longer hesitate to penalize websites in http. Not adopting the protocol is therefore very bad for natural referencing. Indeed, the pages in http will not rank correctly compared to competing content in https.
How to get one
First, figure out what type of certificate you will need. If, for example, you host content on multiple platforms, you may need different SSL certificates. In most cases, a standard SSL certificate (DV) will suffice. The cost of these certificates also varies, but it is also possible to get one for free as with Let’s Encrypt, but it is better to discuss it with an expert who will know how to advise according to the technicalities of your site and your DNS settings.
Remember: an SSL certificate guarantees the confidentiality of all data transmitted between the browser and the web server using strong encryption.