You’ve heard of an SSL, but you aren’t really sure what it is. Does this sound familiar? Well, you’re not the only one.
In my early SEO days, I wasn’t sure what had to be done to rank higher on the likes of Google and Bing. And it seemed every way I turned, someone was giving different advice.
So when the topic of SSL certificates came up, I had no real idea if one was worth getting. What’s more, my website host at the time was offering different types of SSL certs – adding even more confusion to the mix.
WHAT ACTUALLY IS AN SSL?
An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is an extra security measure for websites. It works by being installed on a web server, helping to establish a secure connection between the server and an internet browser.
DOES SSL IMPROVE SEO?
The first thing you need to understand about search engines, especially Google, is that they are constantly developing their algorithms.
With that being said, as it currently stands, SSL-certified web pages are viewed as more favourable in the eyes of Google.
Therefore, if you are looking to improve your rankings and don’t currently have an SSL, you’d be at a disadvantage when compared with SSL-friendly sites.
ARE THEY HARD TO IMPLEMENT?
The best thing about adding an SSL certificate to your site is that it’s extremely easy (the majority of the time).
This is because your host should automatically add one to your website. And if there was any reason why it wasn’t added, the provider should be able to provide the certificate rapidly (typically within a day).
FINISHING THOUGHTS
Hopefully, this has helped clear up any confusion when discussing whether or not SSL improves SEO.
In a lot of cases, your website host will provide you with a free SSL with your hosting package. So, what have you got to lose?
Oh, and if you have any other SEO-related question, our team are more than happy to help – Contact us here.