Technical factors are extremely important in Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) since they affect a website’s visibility and ranking in search engine results. One important technical SEO issue that can be effectively addressed with an SSL certificate is related to website security and encryption. In this blog, we will explore what technical SEO issue you can solve with an SSL certificate and how to solve them.
What Technical SEO Issue You Can Solve With an SSL Certificate?
An SSL certificate can solve the technical SEO issue of having a non-secure website, specifically related to the use of HTTP instead of HTTPS. Here’s an overview of how an SSL certificate can address this problem.
Problems Solved by SSL Certificate
HTTPS Protocol
A website’s ability to use HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is enabled by SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates. The URL of the website switches from HTTP status code to HTTPS after installing an SSL certificate, signifying a secure connection between the user’s browser and the website server.
Data Encryption
SSL certificates facilitate data encryption between the user’s browser and the website. Any information sent, including personal information, login passwords, and payment information, is safeguarded from potential eavesdropping or interception by malicious parties thanks to this encryption.
Trust and Security
Search engines, including Google, prioritize website security as a ranking factor. Using HTTPS increases a website’s credibility and security, which favours how well it ranks in search engines. Having an SSL certificate helps build trust with both users and search engines, potentially improving your website’s visibility in search results.
Avoiding Security Warnings
Modern web browsers display warnings to users when they attempt to access non-secure websites. These warnings can deter visitors from accessing your site, resulting in a higher bounce rate and potentially negatively impacting your SEO efforts. Installing an SSL certificate eliminates these warnings and provides a smooth and secure browsing experience for your users.
Referral Data Integrity
The referral data, or the source of the traffic, is kept when a website with HTTPS receives traffic from another website. This is not the case when traffic is directed from an HTTPS site to an HTTP site. By securing your website with an SSL certificate, you ensure that the referral data remains intact, allowing you to track and analyze your website traffic sources accurately.
By resolving the issue of a non-secure website through the implementation of an SSL certificate, you enhance your website’s security, improve user trust, and potentially gain SEO benefits by signalling to search engines that your site is secure and deserving of higher rankings.
Understanding SSL Certificates
Digital certificates, known as Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificates, create an encrypted connection between a user’s browser and a web server. They make sure the data is secure and shielded from unauthorized access while being sent between the two endpoints. The padlock icon and the “https” prefix in the website URL are indicators that a website has an SSL certificate installed.
Enhancing Website Security
The capacity of an SSL certificate to improve website security is one of its main benefits. With cyber threats on the rise, search engines have increasingly prioritized secure websites in their algorithms. Sensitive data, including login credentials, payment information, and personal information, are safeguarded from hackers and data breaches by encryption provided by an SSL certificate.
Search engines like Google are more likely to favour websites prioritizing user security. By implementing an SSL certificate, website owners protect their users and gain a competitive advantage in search engine indexing and rankings.
Resolving the “Not Secure” Warning
Without an SSL certificate, websites are marked as “Not Secure” by popular web browsers like Chrome. This warning can create a negative perception among users, leading to a higher bounce rate and lower engagement. By securing a website with an SSL certificate, the “Not Secure” warning is replaced by the reassuring padlock icon and the “https” protocol, instilling trust in visitors and encouraging them to stay and explore the website further.
Improving Search Engine Ranking
Search engines continuously refine their algorithms to provide users with the most relevant and secure browsing experience. In 2014, Google officially announced that HTTPS (secure websites) would be a ranking signal, albeit a lightweight one at the time. Since then, the significance of SSL certificates in SEO has grown, with Google giving more weight to secure websites in search engine ranking positions (SERPs).
Applying an SSL certificate to your website can provide it with a competitive edge, especially in sectors where security is crucial, like e-commerce or finance. While an SSL certificate alone may not guarantee a top ranking, it is an essential factor that contributes to a website’s overall SEO performance.
Enhancing User Trust and Engagement
Trust is a crucial element for any successful website. When visitors see the padlock icon and the “https” protocol, they feel confident that their interactions with the website are secure and their personal information is protected. Users are more likely to interact with the website as a result of their heightened sense of trust, which results in longer session times, more page views, and higher conversion rates.
Conclusion
Implementing an SSL certificate is beneficial for website security and significantly improves technical SEO aspects. Resolving technical SEO issues related to security, trust, and search engine rankings, an SSL certificate helps to create a secure and trustworthy online environment. By investing in an SSL certificate, website owners can enhance their SEO performance, build user trust, and improve the overall user experience on their website.
