TLS/SSL Certificates

What are TLS/SSL Certificates?

TLS (Transport Layer Security) also known more commonly as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a security technology that encrypts the data transmitted between a web server and the visitor's browser. This means that any information that a visitor enters into your website (such as an enquiry form) will be encrypted and kept private between the visitor's browser and the web server. It is the same technology that banks use to keep your information private when using their Internet banking services.

To make this work, two things are required: Your hosting server needs to be able to make a TLS connection; and you also need a TLS/SSL certificate. A TLS/SSL certificate is provided by a third party and there are a few different options available. Once you have these two things in place, the connections between your website and a visitor's browser will be secure.

http://   +   TLS   =   https://

Build Up Trust with Potential Customers

Having a TLS/SSL certificate installed on your website will not only make it more secure, but it will also make your company or organisation appear more trustworthy and help to instill confidence in your potential customers to use your website and your company. Trust is important, especially for new customers that do not know you yet.

Increase Your Search Rankings

With Google and other search engines giving a ranking increase to websites that are secure and penalising those that are not, you will benefit from having your website secured with a TLS/SSL certificate and you should see an increase in not only your search ranking, but also in the number of visitors to your website.