Why is SSL a Mandatory Requirement for Every Digital Marketing Strategy?
Back in June last year, 700 million records of LinkedIn users were on sale on the dark web. That constitutes around 93% of the total user base of LinkedIn.
This is a severe alarm that cybersecurity is not to be taken lightly. If websites do not take strict actions today, they will eventually suffer.
Speaking of cybersecurity, SSL or Secure Socket Layer certificates play an important role in a website’s security.
It encrypts a website’s connection, disallowing any third party to read, intercept or steal the information shared by two communicating entities.
That is why organizations are forced to install SSL certificates to keep their customer’s in-transit data safe.
Here are some of the reasons why SSL is mandatory for every marketing strategy:
Why is SSL a Mandatory Requirement for Every Digital Marketing Strategy
1. HTTPS encryption results in better rankings
HTTPS or Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure is a secure extension of HTTP. When SSL is installed on a website’s connection, it adds ‘S’ to HTTP.
HTTPS websites can be recognized by a secure padlock ahead of their URL.
In 2014, Google announced that it would prioritize HTTPS websites over HTTP regarding ranking.
So, no matter how good your content is, you need to have HTTPS encryption to surpass your competitor.
2. Build trust among customers
Suppose you are selling a product on your eCommerce store; the secure padlock sign in the address bar will tell them that you have ensured data protection by installing an SSL certificate.
It will enhance your reputation and eventually sales. SSL installation encrypts the confidential data-in-transit such as credit card, debit card details which can only be decrypted by the intended recipient.
When people come to know that you are taking security measures to keep their data safe, you are highly likely to get repeated customers. So, SSL can also be a key factor in reputation building. SSL comes in different kinds and at varying validation levels. You can choose from three different validation levels, DV, OV and EV.
DV or Domain Validation level is suitable for blog websites that don’t sell anything. Here, the issuing CA will verify the domain ownership, which can be issued within minutes.
OV SSL or Organization Validation SSL is perfect for online businesses that want to ensure extra customer trust. Here the domain ownership is verified in addition to the businesses’ legal existence. It can be issued within one to five days.
EV SSL or Extended Validation offers the highest validation level and is only issued to businesses that have been in existence for at least three years. They give the customers the highest level of trust. EV SSL is issued only after a rigorous verification procedure in addition to domain validation and business legal existence. The company’s name is reflected in the browser when you click on the secure padlock. These are issued within a couple of weeks.
However, one thing to consider is that the encryption level offered by the three validation levels is the same but all the validation levels have their own tremendous benefits.
3. Beneficial for B2B communication and deals
With businesses getting more advanced with time, people want secure partners to do business transactions with. To ensure secure business transactions you need to invest in certain cybersecurity parameters.
SSL is the first good impression you can make on a person or business looking to sign trade deals with you.
Since most business negotiations are happening online, business owners have become more sceptical about their counterpart’s security systems due to the pandemic. They want to ensure that their deals and conversations should be kept safe.
When they see that their communication is getting encrypted by an SSL certificate, they feel more comfortable and relaxed while negotiating.
4. Web browsers don’t permit non-SSL websites to flourish.
If you have been using the internet for quite some time, you must know Google’s policies for unsecured websites.
Ones without SSL encryption are marginalized by displaying a ‘not secure’ side ahead of their URL.
Not only that, browsers like Chrome display a warning signal when someone clicks on an HTTP website.
It is one of the massive blows to your online presence as a business owner. A website acts as a communication medium between a business and its customers.
If that gets hampered, a business is doomed.
5. PCI/DSS compliance
After the pandemic struck, people preferred online payments instead of cash on delivery.
They want to minimize contact as much as possible, which is why every website needs to have a plethora of online payment options.
According to PCI/DSS or Payment Card Industry/Data Security Standard, SSL is a mandatory requirement for every business that wants to accept payments online.
These days customers are sceptical about entering their sensitive credentials. For example, they do not want to enter their credit/debit card numbers and bank details on a website that cannot guarantee safety.
- You can repel legal implications.
Though government authorities never force you to install SSL certificates, they want you to ensure that you keep your customer’s data safe.
SSL can play a factor if your company gets sued in court. With SSL under your belt, you can make a strong case.
Moreover, you can repel any false accusations that a hacker may impose on you by mentioning SSL compliance in your data privacy policy.
So, SSL can indirectly help you repel legal implications.
6. SSL allows your business to grow
If you have an SSL certificate, you can ensure that your website connection is safe. In addition, this allows you to promote your website fearlessly.
You do not have to worry whether someone is trying to spy on your data or steal it.
Moreover, search engines like Google will also back your website by boosting your rankings and letting more people visit your website.
You can run ad campaigns and draw people to your website without worrying about government authorities, the payment card industry, or search engines.
People too will be encouraged to buy your products and spread the word.
To Conclude
To operate freely in the cyber world, you need to weaponize yourself against the bad guys.
Do not think even for a single second that cybercriminals are not eyeing you.
You must always be on your toes, expecting a beamer coming towards you in the form of a phishing attack, MITM attack, or malware interjection.
As we mentioned, even sites like LinkedIn that are expected to have one of the best site security systems can get hacked.
So, there is always someone eying for your website. It would help if you had an SSL to repel those beamers and protect your website.
So, install an SSL certificate today, if you haven’t already.
