What is SSL and why is it important?

Look out! It might get a little technical now, but we'll do our best to explain it to you as best we can. SSL stands for Secure Socket Layer and is actually nothing more than a protocol that provides a securely encrypted connection between your website's server and a visitor's browser. In concrete terms, this means that the data traffic is secured and is therefore not accessible to others. Or even simpler: the data of your visitors is protected.

An SSL certificate is required to establish a secure connection. You can think of it as a unique key that is used to encrypt messages and convert them back into readable data. In an SSL certificate you will not only find that key, but for example the certificate holder, your domain name, the authority that issued the certificate and how long the certificate is valid for. This way you can independently check whether your website meets the security standard.

Tip: Not sure if your own website (or someone else's) has an SSL certificate? Check if there is a lock and https:// in front of the domain name in the address bar!

SSL naturally ensures a secure website in the first place. You want that yourself, but so do your visitors. In fact, an SSL certificate is often even required for your website. The General Data Protection Regulation and the Personal Data Protection Act prescribe SSL as a measure for, among other things, the use of contact forms and other processing of personal data for reservations and purchases via webshops.

While data protection is of course the primary reason for installing an SSL certificate, it has many other benefits:

• SSL also protects your website against phishing practices by internet criminals. The certificate also acts as a kind of 'certificate of authenticity' that allows visitors to see that they are actually on your website - and not on a counterfeit version.
• SSL increases the findability in the search engines. Having an SSL certificate is an important factor in Google's algorithm, with safe websites naturally ranking (much) higher than unsafe websites. Google even gives notifications in Chrome if a website doesn't have an SSL connection.
• SSL is recognizable to website visitors (and potential customers!). After all, they see that lock in the address bar. That gives confidence in your website and in your company. An important condition for new business!

You can request an SSL certificate from a recognized publisher or reseller and then you have to install it via the control panel or admin area of your website (not your CMS). A lot of hassle with long codes that we prefer not to bother you with, because at Pagewize we already install an SSL certificate for you. Totally free. So you don't have to worry about that anymore. You can go online right away. Nice and easy!

So... Now you know what SSL is and why you need an SSL certificate for your website. Now is a good time to check whether your website is safe and to request a certificate if necessary. Or immediately create a new, modern website with Pagewize with security certificate and you can go online again!