The Importance of Website Security for SEO

If you’ve been diligently following our “SEO for Beginners” series, you know that each ranking factor is crucial for climbing up the Google search results.

Last time, we dove deep into the concept of Site Authority. Today, we’re exploring SEO factor number seven of the 10 most important ranking factors: security.

An Essential SEO Factor

When it comes to SEO, security isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Google takes the security of websites very seriously and requires websites to implement SSL certificates to ensure the safety of data. The reason is simple: Google wants to ensure that its users are guided to secure sites where their data is protected from breaches.

Does Google Require an SSL Certificate?

The short answer? Yes. Google is encouraging web owners to adopt SSL certificates by giving a rank push to HTTPS sites. The ultimate goal for Google is to be the trusted search engine that directs users solely to secure websites. Any site without proper encryption risks losing visibility on Google’s results pages.

Easily Check if Your Site is Secure

Wondering if your site has the necessary security provisions? It’s simple to check:

Look in the URL bar where your website address is located.

Depending on the web browser you’re using, you should see either an “HTTPS” preceding your web address or a little security icon that looks like a lock in browsers like Chrome.

If you don’t see these indicators, your site isn’t secure, and it’s time to take action.

Implementing An SSL Certificate

Think securing your website sounds complicated? Think again. You can make your site secure with an SSL certificate. Here’s how:

Choose a Free Option:

Organizations like Let’s Encrypt offer free SSL certificates that are easy to install on your website.

Ask Your Webmaster or Web Host:

If you’re not sure how to install an SSL certificate, talk to your webmaster or the company that hosts your site. They can often take care of the installation for you.

Switch to WP Engine:

We use WP Engine for our website hosting because they offer a free SSL certificate, making the process seamless.

Don’t Let Your SSL Certificate Expire

Once your SSL certificate is in place, don’t forget to keep it active. Letting it expire can result in browsers flagging your site with an error message, effectively blocking users from accessing your content. Here are some tips to keep your SSL certificate current:

Renew Promptly:

As soon as you receive your renewal notice, take action.

Set Up Auto-Renewal:

For a hassle-free approach, put your SSL certificate on auto renewal.

Consider Long-Term Purchases:

Buy an SSL certificate for multiple years to reduce the frequency of renewals.

Integrating a robust SSL certificate into your website’s framework not only protects your data but also gives Google the confidence to rank you higher in search results. As we continue to demystify SEO in our series, remember that security is just one piece of smart marketing strategy.

But SEO is just one part of your comprehensive marketing plan. Do you know how your overall strategy measures up?

Find out by taking the SMART Marketing quiz. Get customized results on how to get smarter with your marketing. Learn exactly what your business should focus on, get personalized recommendations on how to maximize your marketing budget, and unleash your business’s true potential. It’s like having a personal marketing coach by your side!

And remember, you don’t need crazy tech skills, buckets of cash, or a dedicated staff to market your business. You don’t even need a lot of time.

What you need is to be smart, and securing your website with an SSL certificate is smart for your business.

If you're ready to grow your business with smart marketing you can:

1. Sign up for weekly FREE Business Bytes with CEO, Torie Mathis

2. Get a SMART Funnel and begin to automate your marketing

3. Learn Digital Marketing with a Smart Marketing Course

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: TORIE MATHIS

Torie Mathis helps entrepreneurs grow their business with Smart Marketing.  She is a best-selling author, Army veteran, international speaker + trainer, and the CEO + Creative Director at Lake Shark Media. She also teaches entrepreneurs how to get smart with digital marketing at toriemathis.com