What is SSL and HTTPS? Why does your website need them?

Have you ever seen the warning "This connection is not private" in your browser or a green or red padlock before the web address? That has to do with SSL and HTTPS. Nowadays, having a website without HTTPS is like serving customers in a store with a broken door: it generates immediate distrust and can cost you sales.

What is SSL?

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer, although today TLS - Transport Layer Security is technically used) is a security protocol that encrypts the communication between the visitor's browser and the server where your website is hosted. In simple terms: it makes the data travel in encrypted form, so that no one in the middle can intercept or modify it.

What is HTTPS?

HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) is the secure version of the HTTP protocol. When your website uses HTTPS, it means that it has an active SSL certificate and that all communication is encrypted. You can easily recognize it because the URL starts with https:// and the browser shows a closed padlock.

Why is it so important for your business?

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  Credibility and trust: Chrome and Firefox browsers display "Not Secure" for sites without HTTPS. Seeing that immediately scares away potential clients.

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  Data protection: If your website has contact forms, a payment form or even a login, without HTTPS that data travels exposed and can be intercepted.

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  SEO Positioning: Google confirmed that HTTPS is a ranking factor. Sites with HTTP are at a disadvantage compared to their competitors with HTTPS.

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  Compatibility with modern technologies: Many modern web features (geolocation, push notifications, service workers) only work over HTTPS.

"More than 95% of Chrome traffic is browsed with HTTPS. If your website doesn't have it, you're in the minority and it shows."

How to obtain an SSL certificate?

The good news: today there are free SSL certificates that work perfectly for most sites. The most common options are:

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  Let's Encrypt- The world's most popular free SSL certificate. Most hosting providers install it automatically.

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  Cloudflare SSL- If your domain goes through Cloudflare (which we recommend for the added performance and security), SSL is automatically enabled.

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  SSL payments (OV/EV): for e-commerce sites or financial institutions that need extended validation certificates with a higher level of trust.

My website has HTTPS, is it enough?

HTTPS is necessary, but not sufficient. In addition to the SSL certificate, a secure website must have: regular updates (especially if you use a CMS like WordPress), protection against brute force attacks during login, forms protected against spam and scripts, and regular backups. Web security is a layer of measures, not a single solution.