SSL certificates are designed to help users feel secure while using the internet. As internet security and user privacy have become a daunting concern, huge internet companies like Google have been pushing the initiative to encourage the adoption of SSL certificates on all websites. 

What is SSL 

SSL or Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate acts as a website’s security blanket by protecting the information of users and visitors. It secures data as it is being transferred from a server to a browser. This fixed nuts and bolts reassures you that what you can see or access is kept privately intact.

In other words, an SSL certificate works as an electronic password that is intended to protect user’s credentials once they visit and do business on your website. 

An SSL certificate is issued by a Certificate Authority that authenticates the website’s identity. It contains the certificate holder’s name, expiration date, serial number, and a copy of the certificate holder’s public key. The certificate enables your users to have data security from hackers and maintain their confidentiality.

For example, if a hacker tries to force their way into your website to get confidential information, the hacker won’t be able to access it because of strong encryption from the SSL certificate. On the other hand, an HTTP site without an SSL certificate, is non-encrypted and is more prone to attacks. 

Benefits of SSL 

Improved Security

A study done by the University of Maryland reports that a cyber-attack occurs for every 39 seconds and 43% of those attacks are aimed at small businesses. Clearly, there is a reason why Google is gently pushing for HTTPS and penalising HTTP sites. Because it helps facilitate a safer, more secure internet. 

Security should be a priority and for a giant internet authority like Google, it’s appropriate to encourage website owners to strengthen their website’s security. 

Updated Browser Labels

Since the SSL certificate is found within the browsers, there are instances that the browsers will warn a visitor that the page they wanted to look at is not encrypted or is not using HTTP. Browsers like Chrome, Mozilla, Safari and Opera are marking sites without SSL certificates (HTTPs). 

When a site doesn’t have an SSL certificate, the “Not Secure” warning will be displayed by Google all over your site to discourage users not to go further on your website. It also means that Google will ostracise your website from your competitors, which will definitely affect your search rankings. 

Increased Conversion Rates

Users trust secure websites more. GlobalSign reported in 2016 that 84% of users immediately abandon a purchase if the data was transmitted to an insecure connection. With all the data breaches that have been happening, they feel confident when a transaction safely takes place. Your potential customers do not want to compromise their private information such as IDs, bank details or card details on a website that doesn’t have proper security measures to store their data. 

And as the traffic on your website decreases, it will result in fewer conversions which thus affect your bottom line. Having a trusted SSL certificate would let your customers know that their safety is important to you. 

Increased Customer Confidence

Lastly, a layer of security on your website can show that your website is trustworthy. As customers see that padlock icon and the “secure” label in their browser, it gives them confidence about your website. In the long run, earning customers’ trust means attracting more loyal customers. SSL certificate is a social proof you will provide to your customers for your organic long-term growth. 

The post How SSL Certificates Impact Website Rankings appeared first on Creativ Digital.

But how can you tell which platform is right for your business? Here’s a look at the difference between these types of hosting and how to find out which one is for you.

Fully Hosted

In a fully hosted platform, all hosting including the software is handled by the platform. Good examples of this type of hosting include: Shopify, Volution and Big Commerce. These types of platforms utilize drag and drop web builders so people who don’t have experience will be able to create a website easily. They also have an easy-to-use shopping cart so you can accept payments.

Fully hosted platforms require less maintenance compared to self-hosted. This can be a good feature if you don’t have time to perform updates. They also take care of security patches and install latest version of updates which is great because it reduces your site’s downtime and ensures that your site is always up.

This type of hosting is also a great option for those who have limited coding knowledge. You will also have access to their customer service and technical support should you need help.

Best of all fully hosted platforms usually have a flat fee so your hosting expenses won’t fluctuate and all files are saved in the cloud.

Self-Hosted

Self-Hosting on the other hand requires you to install the software on your server. You can think of it as performing a WordPress installation but it will be an eCommerce platform instead. This means that all files are saved in your server. Popular self-hosted ecommerce platforms include Magento and WooCommerce.

Since you will be handling the installation, you will also have more responsibility. For example, you need to have a good grasp of security and fraud. You also won’t have access to technical support and customer service because you will be responsible for this area as well. There are many communities that can help you with troubleshooting issues but most of the time you will be left on your own devices to figure this out.

The good news is that you can really personalize your site with self-hosted platforms. You have access to open source code and tweak all elements of your website to your heart’s content. You also have more control over your files. You do need to perform everything yourself but you also have the option of handing over operations to a skilled programmer who can do changes and handle maintenance in your stead.

Which One To Pick?

Small to medium businesses really fare well with fully hosted ecommerce platforms. With this option you can have your website running in hours. You also enjoy perks like security and maintenance which can be a godsend if you don’t have time to perform these tasks. Most fully hosted platforms are paid monthly and have affordable prices so you won’t need a big startup capital to get up and running.

If you have your own IT team or want more control of your website, self-hosting is a better option. You will need to invest a significant amount of money to get started. You also need to deal with all website issues on your own but self-hosting gives you more control not only over files but over personalization too.

It all boils down to what your business needs. All businesses are different so you need to figure out what your business needs to help you decide the type of ecommerce platform to succeed.

Did you know about the different types of hosting? Which hosting type do you think is best suited for your business? Tell us by leaving your comments below.

The post Fully Hosted vs Self-Hosted eCommerce. Which Is Right for You? appeared first on Creativ Digital.

Before you dive in headfirst into the world of web design, you may first want to take note of these factors that you should consider in building an effective and functioning site.

Mobile Responsiveness

Did you know that mobile web browsing has already overtaken desktop browsing since late 2016? Mobile-friendly sites aren’t just an afterthought anymore. These days, it has become an even bigger priority than your traditional desktop site given the volume of users who do most of their browsing and shopping on their smartphones.

It’s important to create the same seamless user experience for desktop and mobile sites, from the navigation to page layout and everything in between. Not only will this further engage your target market, but it will surely result into higher sales and revenue opportunities as well. And in case you’re not aware of it, Google also rewards sites that are mobile responsive through higher search rankings.

SEO

Optimising your site isn’t just about using keywords and inserting them into your blog post or web content as many times as possible anymore. SEO has become so much more strategic than before that you’ll most likely need the help of a certified SEO agency if you want your business website to rank and be known to your target market.

Also take note that optimisation happens both on-site and off-site and requires a continuous process and progression. This means that even with the best SEO practices put into effect, it may still take some time to see actual results. Just make sure to be on the good side and follow legitimate white hat SEO practices to avoid getting penalized by Google.

Imagery & Graphics

Let’s face it, most people online are attracted towards visual content than text. And while optimised web content is important for your site, it’s also just as necessary to invest in beautiful imagery and graphics to appeal more to your audience.

Balance out the text with high resolution photos and videos, and make sure to strategically position them throughout the site! Also experiment with combining text and graphics by creating infographics that could lead to higher click-throughs and conversation rates.

Call To Action

You’ll definitely want your website to be effective in pulling in your target market and converting them into paying customers. One effective way of doing so is by having different forms of call to actions found on your site.

CTAs can be a click-through button or image, it can be a text telling your customers to order now or inquire about your products/services, or it can even be a main header on your homepage informing visitors of what your business is all about and why they should make the purchase. CTAs can vary for different types of businesses–the key is to do proper research, then test out and check which ones are the most effective for you.

Design

While it’s true that design is very subjective, there’s still a viable standard of what makes a nicely designed website. And these days, it’s not enough to simply put in the images and text from your business’ marketing materials and call it a day. You’ll have to invest in a professionally designed and coded site in order to appeal to customers and provide them with a seamless user experience.

Building a website for your business does seem like such a daunting task at first. But while it may seem such a tedious and overwhelming project to take on, just remember that all it takes is proper planning, a solid vision for your business, and a reliable team of web designers and developers to help turn your vision into reality.

The post What To Consider In Building A Website appeared first on Creativ Digital.