6 Reasons Why You Should Have an SSL Certificate on Your Website

Imagine you're visiting a website to buy your dream gadget. You find the perfect product, add it to the cart, and when you proceed to checkout... a warning pops up: "This site is not secure." What do you do? Most likely, you'll close the tab and search for another store.

This is exactly what the lack of an SSL certificate can discourage potential customers, lower trust, and put user data at risk. In today's world, securing a website is not just a choice – it's a necessity. An SSL certificate is the fundamental tool that protects sensitive information and ensures users feel safe while browsing your site. Why is it worth having? Here are 7 key reasons.

What is an SSL certificate?

An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is a technology that encrypts the connection between the user's browser and the server where the website operates. Thanks to this, data transmitted between them – such as logins, passwords, or payment information – is protected from being intercepted by cybercriminals.

How SSL Encrypts Data and Ensures Protection

When a user visits a website secured with SSL, their browser and the server establish a so-called "secure connection". Cryptographic keys are used to encode the data in such a way that only the server with the appropriate key can decrypt it. In practice, this means that even if a hacker intercepts the data transmission, they won't be able to decrypt it.

How to Recognize If a Website Has an SSL Certificate?

Websites with an SSL certificate can be recognized by the "https://" prefix in the address and the distinct padlock icon in the browser's address bar.

Thus, an SSL certificate is a simple yet effective way to enhance the security and credibility of a website.

6 Reasons Why You Should Have an SSL Certificate

Increased User Data Security

The main goal of an SSL certificate is to protect sensitive data transmitted between the user and the website. Without SSL, all information – usernames, passwords, payment card details – can be intercepted. The encryption provided by SSL ensures that even if data is intercepted, it remains unreadable to third parties.

According to a Kaspersky report, the number of data interception attacks has been rising year after year. In 2023, over 709 MILLION phishing attempts were recorded, where criminals exploited unsecured websites. In the CERT POLSKA 2023 annual report published in April 2024, it states: "In 2023, we received 95,696 phishing reports from Polish networks, involving 51,374 URLs from 49,039 domains resolving to 3,097 IP addresses."

Therefore, by having an SSL certificate, you effectively reduce the risk of such attacks and ensure your users' security.

Improved Search Engine Visibility (SEO)

Google, since 2014, has officially treated having an SSL certificate as a ranking factor. Websites running on the HTTPS protocol are more likely to rank higher in search results compared to their non-SSL counterparts.

Additionally, research shows that about 46% of users will not complete a transaction or trust a website without a secured page (John Cabot). If the browser warns about the lack of security, many users will leave the site without clicking through to other pages, which negatively impacts bounce rates. If you care about better visibility on Google and a higher CTR, implementing SSL is a step you cannot skip.

Interestingly, despite the growing awareness of cybersecurity, 21% of sites in the Alexa Top 100,000 still do not use the HTTPS protocol. This means over 20,000 popular websites still send data in an unsecured form, exposing users to potential risks (according to the Internet Security Report, WatchGuard).

Increased Customer Trust and Professional Image

SSL affects not only security and SEO but also brand perception. The lack of a certificate may give the impression that the site is outdated, unprofessional, or does not care about user security. Have you ever noticed the green padlock next to the website address? That's a sign that the site is secure and trustworthy. An SSL certificate builds your site's credibility and makes users feel more confident when providing their data or making online transactions.

If you want your business to be associated with professionalism, security, and a modern approach, an SSL certificate is an absolute must. Customers are much more likely to make purchases from online stores that have an SSL certificate because they are confident their data will not fall into the wrong hands.

Avoid Browser Warnings and Traffic Loss

Modern browsers, such as Google Chrome, Opera, and Mozilla Firefox, are increasingly strict about websites without an SSL certificate. If your site does not use HTTPS, users will likely see a warning about potential risks, and in some cases, the browser may even block access to the site.

Such a message effectively deters visitors – few people will continue using a website if their browser warns them they may be at risk of data theft. As a result, the lack of SSL can lead to reduced traffic, higher bounce rates, and the loss of potential customers.

What's more, websites without HTTPS appear less professional and may raise suspicions, even if they are not a threat. If you want to avoid this effect and ensure users have seamless access to content, an SSL certificate is an essential element of your site.

Legal Obligation in Some Cases (GDPR, PSD2)

In some industries, having an SSL certificate is not only a matter of security but also a legal requirement. For example, GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) imposes on website owners the obligation to properly secure user data. The lack of SSL when processing personal data may be treated as a violation of regulations and result in hefty fines.

Similarly, PSD2 (Payment Services Directive) requires the use of advanced encryption methods in the e-commerce and financial sectors. If your site handles online payments, an SSL certificate is absolutely necessary to meet regulatory requirements.

Improved Conversion and Sales Rates

Security has a direct impact on sales performance. Customers are more likely to make purchases on websites that inspire trust. If your site does not have an SSL certificate, potential customers may hesitate to provide their information and complete their purchase.

Moreover, SSL improves the overall UX (User Experience) by eliminating annoying browser warnings and enhancing user comfort. As a result, conversion rates in an online store can significantly increase, leading to higher profits.

Free vs Paid SSL Certificates

Range of SSL Certificate Features and Trust Level

Free SSL certificates, such as those offered by Let's Encrypt, provide basic encryption. On the other hand, paid certificates issued by commercial Certificate Authorities (CAs) like Sectigo or DigiCert offer additional features:

• Organization Validation (OV) and Extended Validation (EV): Paid certificates may include company information, which enhances user trust.
• Financial Guarantees: In case of security breaches, some paid certificates offer compensation.
• Technical Support: Users of paid certificates can expect quick assistance from the provider, which is not available with free solutions.

How Does SSL Encryption Work and Can It Be Cracked?

An SSL certificate works based on asymmetric encryption, which relies on the mathematical difficulty of factoring large prime numbers (simply put, SSL encryption is based on very complex mathematical calculations using large prime numbers). The public key encrypts the data, and only the private key can decrypt it. Current SSL certificates use 2048-bit encryption or higher, which means even the fastest supercomputers would need millions of years to crack it.

So far, there has been no recorded instance of SSL encryption being broken. Attacks on SSL primarily involve implementation errors (e.g., poorly configured servers) or social engineering, not the actual breaking of encryption algorithms.

Is a Free SSL Certificate Safe?

Let's Encrypt is one of the most trusted Certificate Authorities in the world and follows rigorous procedures for issuing certificates. The encryption offered by Let's Encrypt is no different from paid DV (Domain Validation) certificates – both provide the same level of protection for data in transit.

However, free certificates do not offer company validation (OV, EV), meaning some institutions and users may have less trust in the site. Additionally, cybercriminals can obtain a free certificate for a malicious site, which can sometimes lead to phishing using HTTPS. However, this issue affects both free and paid DV certificates.

When Is It Worth Investing in a Paid SSL Certificate?

In some industries, paid SSL certificates are required not only to increase trust but also due to legal regulations:

• GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) – organizations processing personal data should implement appropriate protection measures, and OV/EV certificates can provide additional security.
• PSD2 (in banking and online payments) – requires strong authentication mechanisms, often including EV certificates.
• E-commerce and fintech companies – a paid EV certificate helps build customer trust and may be required by certain online payment systems.
• Large corporations and government institutions – often use OV/EV certificates as a standard solution for their websites.

MGHost – Free SSL with Every Hosting Plan

At MGHost, we prioritize the security of every website. That's why all our hosting plans include a free SSL certificate from Let's Encrypt, which automatically renews every 90 days. It's a simple and effective solution for any business, blog, or e-commerce store that ensures data encryption without additional costs.

Why is an SSL Certificate Essential Today?

Having an SSL certificate is absolutely essential for any website that wants to ensure user security and build trust. While free SSL certificates, like Let's Encrypt, offer basic security, equal to paid certificates, paid certificates provide additional benefits such as organization validation, financial guarantees, and higher levels of technical support.

Thanks to SSL encryption, your data is secure during transmission between the user and the website, and the technology itself is practically unbreakable (for now!). However, it is important to remember that in certain cases, such as banking or e-commerce, investing in a paid certificate may be crucial to provide an even higher level of trust.

Investing in an SSL certificate is a step towards better securing your site, building your reputation, and ensuring the privacy and safety of your users.