What Technical SEO Issues Can You Resolve With An SSL Certificate?
July 18, 2023
Rudra Kumar
Today’s digital landscape requires websites to not only provide a secure online experience for visitors but also optimize it for better search engine rankings. One powerful tool that addresses both security and technical SEO concerns is an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate.
An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate ensures a website is secure. When a web server and browser create a secure connection, SSL certificates encrypt important information and confirm the website’s legitimacy. However, SSL certificates provide advantages beyond security.
Importance of SSL Certificates in SEO
SSL contributes significantly to technical SEO [one of the main types of search engine optimization techniques], which focuses on improving the functionality,usability, and even search engine rankings of websites. Secure websites with HTTPS are preferred by search engines like Google. So it’s safe to say that it can be considered an SEO ranking signal.
Simply put, an SSL certificate amplifies SEO efforts in addition to protecting your website and user data. You can gain access to a number of advantages by embracing SSL certificates, such as enhanced security, more user confidence, and even higher search engine rankings.
Technical Issues Resolved by SSL Certificates
Security Risks –
An SSL certificate encrypts the data transferred between the web server and the browser, thereby reducing security threats. This increases the overall security of your website by safeguarding important data from black hats and giving visitors a secure web experience.
Browser Warnings –
When users try to access unsafe websites, browsers frequently show obtrusive warnings. Such obstructions may lead to users abandoning the site. This can even harm the trustworthiness your website has built. However, these warnings vanish when an SSL certificate is installed, enhancing user experience and lowering bounce rates.
Limited Functionality –
On non-secure HTTP connections, it’s possible that some website functions, including using particular APIs or getting the device’s location, will be restricted. For some JavaScript APIs and other contemporary web features and technologies to work effectively, such as HTTP/2, SSL is also necessary. Without an SSL certificate, you might be unable to take advantage of these developments.
Integrating an SSL certificate unlocks these features, improving user experience and allowing the use of sophisticated SEO strategies. By adopting SSL, you ensure that your website is fully compliant with the most recent web standards and can take advantage of cutting-edge technologies, thereby increasing your website’s performance and SEO potential.
Compliance Issues –
Regulations about security and privacy must be upheld in particular sectors of the economy. By creating a secure connection, securing user data, and avoiding potential legal and financial repercussions, an SSL certificate helps assure compliance.
Missing Ranking Advantages –
Websites that place a high priority on security are rewarded by search engines, which use HTTPS as a positive ranking indication [source – Google]. Higher search engine ranks for websites with SSL certificates are associated with greater visibility, organic traffic, and possible business growth. Neglecting an SSL certificate could cost you important ranking benefits.
Best Practices To Implement SSL Certificates
1. Steps and recommendations for implementing SSL certificates on a website:
- Depending on your website, select the appropriate SSL certificate type (extended validation, organization validation, or domain validation).
- Choose a trustworthy Certificate Authority (CA) or SSL certificate provider.
- Your web server should provide a Certificate Signing Request (CSR).
- Finish the validation procedure by giving the CA the required records.
- On your web server, install the SSL certificate.
- Check and validate the installation of the SSL certificate.
2. Tips for selecting the right SSL certificate type and provider:
- Analyze the specifications for your website’s warranty protection, validation level, and encryption strength.
- Consider the SSL certificate providers’ standing, responsiveness to queries, and compatibility.
- Examine pricing alternatives because prices can change depending on the type and duration of the certificate.
3. Guidance on ensuring a smooth migration to HTTPS without SEO drawbacks:
- Update internal citations and links to HTTPS rather than HTTP.
- Implement 301 redirects for all pages to move them from HTTP to HTTPS.
- To reflect the new HTTPS URLs, update the canonical tags, XML sitemaps, and robots.txt files.
- Incorporate HTTPS versions of your website into external links.
- After the migration, keep an eye on your website’s performance, crawlability, and indexation to spot any potential SEO problems and fix them.
Your website is susceptible to security hazards, trust problems, and lost chances for cutting-edge functionality if it lacks an SSL certificate. In addition, neglecting it might hurt visibility and organic traffic because search engines prioritize secure websites.
If you’d like to secure your website, book a consultation with Techmagnate’s Technical SEO experts.