What is an SSL Certificate, and why does my website need one?

Encrypting traffic between a customer's browser and your server protects you both. And boosts SEO.

Every small business wants a secure website. No matter what information you exchange between you and your customer, it needs to be protected. Customers and vendors should be able to trust that your site is safe to work with.

There are plenty of risks to consider when it comes to securing your website. Protect against some of them by having a valid SSL Certificate.

What is an SSL Certificate?

SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer, and it provides an encrypted link between a server and a web browser. The visitor requests a link to a website, the website server provides a secure SSL certificate with a one-time use encryption key to encrypt the data the user sends back. The server decrypts the information and secures the session.

In plain english, it’s a way to establish a secure, coded way to send information between a website and a visitor. It encrypts the data so only people with the right certificate can access it.

When is an SSL Certificate used?

They’re most commonly used on pages where visitors need to put in sensitive information.

Credit Card Forms

When you buy something online, you expect your payment information to be secure. An SSL certificate ensures that credit card information stays between a web form and a user. The last thing anyone wants is a 3rd party to creep on their financial information.

Password Logins

It makes sense, but you always want passwords login forms to be secure. If a hacker can masquerade on your site as a valid user, they can compromise all that user’s data and get access to sections of your site they should not get access to.

Also, (as we talk about in our Ultimate Guide To Securing Your Business Website,) people tend to re-use the same password across multiple services and platforms. While that isn’t particularly smart, it means that if a hacker can get access to one valid username/password combination, they may get access to even more of that user’s sensitive information.

Sensitive Information

Any time you expect a user to fill out personal information, that page should be secured with an SSL certificate. Whether it’s contact information, social security numbers, legal or medical records, or even a date of birth- all of these are sensitive pieces of information that a visitor is entrusting you with, so be sure to keep them safe and sound.

Does My Site Really Need One?

Well, let’s put it this way: yes.

Seriously, if you’re accepting any sort of customer information whatsoever, you need to make sure that it’s secured. If you don’t, you’re betraying the trust of your customers who expect that you’re protecting their sensitive info. So from the perspective of building trust in your company and brand, make sure that you’re using SSL Certificates.

Even if you don’t take any customer info at all on your site, you won’t be able to get away without SSL certificates. Starting in 2017, Google began flagging all non-secure websites. If you use chrome, check out the top left corner of your navigation bar. See where it says “Secure” in happy green letters? That will also inform your customers if your site is not secure. In less happy green terms. So keep your customers happy and keep their info safe!

Need some SSL love for your site? SuperWebPros makes sure that all of our clients’ sites are secured, and that includes SSL certificates. Check our our web maintenance plans that start at just $99/mo!

Duke Kimball

Duke writes words, good. When he's not crafting content for The Pros, he's crafting stories, enjoying craft beer, or gourmet coffee. He is Portlandia.

Also from the Pros...

What is a citation and why it matters in SEO

If you’re trying to increase the visibility of your business online, especially locally, you’ve probably come across the term “citation.” But what exactly is an SEO citation, and why is it important? Let’s break it down simply. What Exactly Is an SEO Citation? In SEO (Search Engine Optimization), a citation refers to any online mention...

How to Make Your Website Show Up in ChatGPT

Ever wondered why your website isn't mentioned by ChatGPT? Unlike traditional search engines, ChatGPT references websites differently—through training data or Bing-powered browsing. Here’s your complete guide to optimizing your website for better visibility in ChatGPT results.

How Google Search AI Overview Works

If you’ve been using Google, you will notice that a lot of times, you don’t need to click open websites because there’s a summarized answer just below the Google search bar. These are called “Generative AI Snapshots” or Search Generative Experience (SGE). Instead of just listing webpages, Google provides a concise, AI-generated summary at the...

How Will Websites Look in an AI-Dominated Era?

As AI technology becomes more accessible, websites are poised for a radical shift—less scrolling through static pages and more interactive, real-time conversations. In this article, we’ll explore how these AI-driven sites work, why knowledge bases and chatbots are essential, and how your business can thrive in an AI-dominated era. If you’re aiming to offer a next-level online experience, read on to see what the web could look like in just five years—and why starting now might give you a serious competitive edge.

Chatbots On Websites Have Always Been Around, What’s Different Now in 2025?

Chatbots have long been the trusty pop-up helpers on business websites, but in 2025, powerful AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) are taking them to a whole new level. Gone are the days of rigid, pre-scripted answers—modern chatbots adapt to your customers’ needs, learn from interactions, and deliver genuinely helpful conversations. If you’re a business owner looking to stand out online, here’s why it’s time to consider upgrading your site’s chatbot.

5 Critical Stages of Business AI Transformation: From Customer Experience to Operational Excellence

“We need to implement AI” has become a common refrain in business meetings. But between chatbots, automation tools, and countless AI platforms, where do you actually start? Here’s the good news: successful AI transformation doesn’t require turning your entire business upside down overnight. Our experience has shown that starting with customer experience improvements creates a...

How to Transform Your Business for AI: A Practical Guide for 2025

The promise of AI transformation is everywhere. ChatGPT hit 100 million users in just two months, and suddenly every business owner is wondering: “How do I make AI work for my company?” But here’s the reality: Most businesses aren’t ready for AI transformation. Not because they can’t be, but because they’re trying to build AI...

7 Smart Steps to Start Your Business AI Transformation (Without Getting Overwhelmed)

“We need to implement AI.” If you’re a business owner or leader, you’ve probably heard (or said) this phrase recently. But where do you start? With vendors promising AI solutions for everything from customer service to operations, the path forward can feel overwhelming. The good news? You don’t need to transform everything at once. Our...