Do I need an SSL certificate for my website?
Google loves its users.
As they want to make us users feel secure online, they recently announced that they will flag all unencrypted websites by July 2018 (which is when Chrome 68 releases).
In order to avoid this and to show ‘secure’ next to your URL you will need to install a Security certificate on your website (SSL) so it displays https:// instead of http://
NOT SECURE
SECURE
a good video by HubSpot explaining SSL.
What is an SSL?
Secure Sockets Layer or SSL is the security technology for establishing an encrypted link between a web server and a browser.
If you don’t have the SSL traffic between the website and browser will not be encrypted.
Why is SSL it important?
It is important to install an SSL on your website so sensitive information is encrypted, to protect from cyber theft and to build trust with your customers by showing that you take measurements to secure information they provide to you.
How do I know if I have an SSL on my website?
You can identify if a website has an SSL by looking at the protocol- HTTP vs HTTPS
If your website shows as #1 – great you are all set!
If you show as number 2 or 3 you need to take action and need to install an SSL and migrate your website to HTTPS.
How to get an SSL certificate for my website?
Squarespace websites:
Your Squarespace site comes with an SSL so all you need to do is activate it if it is not already activated.
1. From the Home Menu, click Settings.
2. Under Website, click Security & SSL.
3. Under Security Preference, choose a setting.
Shopify Websites:
SSL certificates are activated by default in Shopify for your store's checkout, and for any content that's hosted on your .myshopify.com domain.
All other websites:
Please contact your hosting provider:
1. Ask to purchase an SSL for your website
2. Ask them to install your SSL to your website (your domain) and re-direct to the new URL with https.
3. Check that all websites link work and contact Webby if there is anything to fix (there might be internal links that I will need to fix).
Note - if you are on Wordpress you might require some more actions - please contact your developer.
A few popular hosting providers here:
Go Daddy: https://au.godaddy.com/web-security/ssl-certificate
Net Registry: https://www.netregistry.com.au/security/ssl-certificates/
Crazy Domains: https://www.crazydomains.com.au/ssl-certificates/
Once you have updates you site and SSL go to all websites that link to your site – for example Yellow Pages, Facebook… and make sure that the link still works or if it needs change to the new link with https.
Please contact me if you have any questions or require support.
