In today's world, websites are more than just virtual storefronts. They are an essential tool for businesses to reach out to their target audiences and generate leads. With their increasing dependence on the internet, users have become more concerned about their privacy and security. As a result, SSL certificates have become a critical aspect of website development and SEO strategy. 

In this article, we will discuss how SSL certificates may influence website ranking, why they matter to SEO, and how to check if a website has an SSL certificate.

What is an SSL certificate? 

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a security protocol that establishes a secure, encrypted connection between a website and a user's browser. This encryption helps to prevent unauthorized access and ensure that any data exchanged between the website and the user remains private and secure. SSL certificates are issued by trusted third-party organizations known as Certificate Authorities (CA), and they serve as an assurance to users that the website is legitimate and secure.

How Do SSL Certificates Affect Website Ranking?

Search engines, including Google, consider SSL certificates as a one of the factors to determine websites ranking in search results. SSL certificates provide additional security and trust to users, which makes them more likely to engage with the website. 

In 2014, Google announced that they would give a slight ranking boost to websites that have SSL certificates. This means that websites with SSL certificates may rank higher in search results than those without SSL certificates.

Why SSL Certificates Matter to SEO 

As mentioned above, SSL certificates are a ranking factor for search engines, and they can influence website ranking. Websites with SSL certificates may rank higher in search results, which can lead to more traffic and, in turn, generate more leads. Additionally, SSL certificates provide an added layer of security to a website, which can improve the user experience and reduce the likelihood of security breaches.

Furthermore, SSL certificates can also help with local SEO. Google’s “Local Pack” results, which appear for location-based queries, tend to favor websites that have an SSL certificate. Therefore, if you have a local business, it’s crucial to have an SSL certificate to ensure that you are visible to potential customers in your area.

How to Check if a Website Has an SSL Certificate 

If you want to check whether a website has an SSL certificate, you can just look at the URL bar in your browser. If the website has an SSL certificate, the URL will start with https instead of http.

You may also see a padlock icon in the URL bar, indicating that the website is secure. If you want to check if a website's SSL certificate is valid, you can click on the padlock icon or Secure text in the URL bar. This will provide you with more information about the SSL certificate, including the Certificate Authority that issued the certificate and the validity period.

In conclusion, SSL certificates are an essential aspect of website development that can influence website ranking and user experience. SSL certificates provide an added layer of security, which can help to build trust with users and improve website ranking. As a website owner, it is crucial to ensure that your website has an SSL certificate to benefit from these advantages. Finally, always ensure that the SSL certificate is valid and issued by a trusted certificate authority.

If you want to install an SSL certificate as one of the SEO strategies on your website, you can use a professional SEO agency in Indonesia. Tomato Digital Indonesia provides various digital marketing services that can support your business on the Internet. Get the opportunity to consult for free with us here.