Why Your Website Needs An SSL Certificate

What is SSL

An SSL Certificate is a form of data encryption that maintains the privacy and security of information sent to and from a website. It helps ensure malicious parties will not end up with any of a user’s personal information that is not openly shared, such as passwords, credit card information, social security numbers, and home addresses.

Why Does a Dental Laboratory Site Need SSL?

Maintaining the security of site visitors should always be a number one priority. A common misconception, that is presently being rectified, is the belief that SSL certificates are only necessary for eCommerce websites, or any other site that uses highly personal information (e.g., SSN or credit card info). This is not true, because all data should be encrypted if you respect your clients’ privacy and do not want to leave them vulnerable to potential malicious activity. Due to the wide spread adoption of SSL, Google Chrome announced earlier this year they would be placing a “Not Secure” warning on every website that does not have an SSL certificate. Similar browsers, such as Firefox and Edge have already taken this step, although they have done so in a subtler way. Approximately 81% of global internet users browse with either Chrome, Edge, or Firefox, meaning many of the visitors to your site will receive a warning if you do not have an SSL Certificate.

It might not seem as though your website needs an SSL Certificate, but with this new change, investing in an SSL Certificate is essentially required if you plan on accepting any information whatsoever even if it is just your client’s practice name. The dental industry is continually growing, and in the future, your site could expand into allowing your clients to submit their Rx forms online or even having eCommerce capabilities. If your website accepts any data that is patient-related, you need data encryption to ensure none of your cases violate HIPAA requirements.

What Are the Benefits?

Proves Authenticity of Website

A strategy of many hackers is to replicate a website to steal valuable information input from visitors who believe they are at the original site. It is challenging for malicious hackers to convincingly portray a duplicate site as authentic when the original site already has an SSL certificate. There are multiple tiers of SSL Certificate. The lowest level of SSL simply validates that the website they are visiting is connected to the correct server they were trying to reach. The higher the level of certification the more in-depth the validation process becomes, including verification by actual people instead of an algorithm.

Increases SEO and Ranking

Recent trends show a secure website will be viewed more favorably by Google. When you invest in an SSL certificate, Google will likely boost your ranking and place you higher in search listings, because it shows you care about visitor’s safety.

Builds Trust

Consumers put their privacy and security as a #1 priority. If a client visits your website and sees a Not Secure warning in their browser, they may begin viewing you and your lab as untrustworthy. Do not let a browser warning be the difference between a new client and a lost prospect.

Protects Against Cybercriminals

By encrypting data, an SSL Certificate will ensure any personal information sent to your website will remain secure and private. That type of encryption is necessary If your site utilizes passwords or accepts any personal information.