Does your website already have a secure HTTPS address?

Check if your website is already properly secured

Check the security of your own website. In your browser's address bar, look at your URL. Do you see an icon with an exclamation mark in front of your URL or is a lock icon displayed? In the latter case, don't worry. Your site is perfectly secure. However, if there is an exclamation mark in front of it, it is wise to take action soon. Test your website here.

Not an HTTPS website yet? Move quickly to ensure proper security.

If your web address displays an exclamation mark, then you have an HTTP URL. This means that your website is not optimally protected against malicious parties who try to intercept personal data. So if you want to make your visitors feel safe and show them that you are a trustworthy party, get yourself an SSL certificate as soon as possible.

What does HTTPS stand for?

HTTPS is the abbreviation for "HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure. Secure is thus the addition to the obsolete HTTP address. HTTPS ensures that data from traffic, i.e. visitors, is encrypted. This way, your visitors run much less risk that their personal data will be intercepted by parties who want to abuse it. This data can consist of names and e-mail addresses, for example. But certainly sensitive information such as credit card data, passwords or very personal information should be well protected.

Obtaining the SSL certificate

To obtain HTTPS status, it is necessary for website owners to obtain the SSL certificate (Secure Socket Layer). Not only is this required by Dutch law for e-commerce entrepreneurs, but you also want the data you manage to be protected. With an HTTPS URL, you show your customers and website visitors that you value security and that you safeguard their data.

The effect of SSL on your ranking in Google

The data protection and trust of your visitors and customers is hugely important, but there is another consequence that an unsecured site can have, which is your ranking, or your place in Google's search results. Google values websites based on relevance as well as security. Google's algorithm states that secure HTTPS sites are valued slightly higher in the ranking. So by correctly implementing an SSL certificate, you can gain a small advantage in terms of your position in search results.

SSL certificate and the AVG law

The new law General Data Protection Regulation, which will take effect from May 25, 2018, names, among other things, the duty to report (possible) data breaches. It is wise to have a protocol ready for this, but of course you hope never to have to apply it. By securing your website, you significantly reduce the chance of data leaks.

How do you get a reliable SSL certificate?

When you request the SSL certificate from a legitimate provider, he will be able to provide a server certificate along with it. This means that the server on which your visitors' data is stored is reliable. In turn, your customers will be able to see that as well, which means you will be considered a transparent and trustworthy organization.