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SSL + Security: Updating your SSL Security

Having a quality website is vitally important for business owners today. If you are an entrepreneur, you probably have performed a thorough evaluation of your site.

Is it easy for visitors to navigate and find what they need? Does it do an effective job of promoting your business and its offerings? Is it updated on a regular basis, both to provide up-to-date information and also capitalize on the current digital marketing trends?

All of these questions can be rendered moot, however, if your site is not secure through an SSL. Short for Secure Sockets Layer, an SSL on your website uses public-key encryption for any session between your server and a client. When established, this SSL link protects all the data of both your business and your customers exchanged during an online transaction.

Not only does an SSL connection keep your customer’s data safe, but Google has made having one a requirement. As of January 2017, sites without an SSL are labeled “unsecured” by Chrome. This can turn away potential customers who may be fearful of entering personal information like credit card numbers.

What’s more, Google now gives a slight ranking boost to sites with a SSL 2048-bit key certificate. An SSL certificate doesn’t get your site the same rankings boost as high quality content, but having one certainly can’t hurt.

To create an SSL connection for your site, you must first buy an SSL Certificate. These certificates are purchased from third-party companies known as certificate authorities, to which you submit a Certificate Signing Request (CSR).

After you provide details verifying your identity, as well as the identity of your company and website, whatever certification authority you choose will issue an SSL Certificate. The certificate can be issued only to a company or an individual who agrees to be legally accountable for the website.

Obtaining an SSL is important, but it is just as crucial to keep your SSL up to date. Updating your SSL security helps guarantee that the encryption protecting your site remains current and strong. Without these updates, your site can become vulnerable to hackers and other potential computer crimes, jeopardizing the data of your consumers, your business and your reputation.

SSL security is one of the most important aspects of your business. Spot Color Marketing can manage any aspect of the process for you — whether you are seeking a new SSL Certificate, need an update, or desire an overall upgrade in SSL security to a 128-bit encryption key.

Spot Marketing is a Google Certified Partner and based in Portland, OR. We’re considered a premier digital marketing agency with clients Nationwide. If you need a new or updated SSL Certificate, contact us by calling (503) 477-4355 or email us at spot@spotcolormarketing.com.

Spot Color also offers comprehensive branding, marketing and technological services. See our portfolio at www.spotcolormarketing.com.