not secure website fix with SSL certificate

How to Fix a “Not Secure” Website with an SSL Certificate

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If you’ve ever visited a website and noticed a “Not Secure” warning in the address bar, you might have wondered what it means. But what if that warning is showing up on your own website? For business owners, this can be a significant issue, as it can drive visitors away and undermine trust in your brand. The good news is that there’s a straightforward solution: installing an SSL certificate. In this post, we’ll explain what an SSL certificate is, why it’s important, and how you can fix a “Not Secure” warning on your website with one.

What Is an SSL Certificate?

SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer. An SSL certificate is a digital certificate that proves a website’s identity and enables an encrypted connection between the web server and the user’s browser. This encryption ensures that any data transferred between the two remains private and secure. When a website has an SSL certificate, its URL changes from http:// to https://, and a padlock icon appears in the address bar, indicating that the connection is secure.

Why Is an SSL Certificate Important?

An SSL certificate is crucial for several reasons:

  1. Security. It protects sensitive information like passwords, credit card numbers, and personal data from being intercepted by malicious parties.
  2. Functionality. Without a secure connection some online payment solutions refuse to load or start leaving customers unable to pay.
  3. Trust. Visitors are more likely to trust and stay on your site if they see that it’s secure. The “Not Secure” warning can drive users away, fearing that their data might be compromised.
  4. SEO Benefits. Search engines like Google favour secure websites. Having an SSL certificate can improve your website’s ranking in search results.
  5. Compliance. Many regulations and standards, such as GDPR, require websites to ensure secure connections when handling personal data.
  6. Usability. If a certificate is not present most browsers will not or only partially autofill form fields requiring users to type more.

How to Fix a “Not Secure” Website with an SSL Certificate

If your website is displaying a “Not Secure” warning, here’s how you can fix it by installing an SSL certificate:

  1. Choose the Right SSL Certificate. There are different types of SSL certificates available, such as Domain Validated (DV), Organization Validated (OV), and Extended Validation (EV). DV certificates are the most basic and are usually sufficient for small websites, while OV and EV certificates offer higher levels of validation and are ideal for more prominent businesses.
  2. Purchase or Obtain a Free SSL Certificate. You can purchase an SSL certificate from a trusted certificate authority (CA) like Comodo, DigiCert, or GlobalSign. Alternatively you can get a free SSL certificate through services like Let’s Encrypt.
  3. Install the SSL Certificate. The process of installing an SSL certificate can vary depending on your web hosting provider. Most hosting services have a simple installation process within their control panel, or you can reach out to your hosting provider’s support team for assistance. If your hosting provider integrates with Let’s Encrypt the whole process can be as easy as few clicks.
  4. Update Your Website’s URL. After installing the SSL certificate, make sure all URLs on and pointing to your website use https:// instead of http://. Also don’t forget to set up a 301 redirect, which will ensure that visitors are always directed to the secure version of your site.
  5. Check for Mixed Content. Sometimes, even after installing an SSL certificate, parts of your site might still load over an insecure connection (http). This is known as mixed content and it can cause various issues on your website. Use online tools or your browser’s developer tools to identify and fix any mixed content issues by updating the URLs to “https”.
  6. Test Your Website. Once everything is set up, test your website to ensure that the SSL certificate is working correctly. You can use online tools like SSL Labs to perform a thorough check and confirm that your site is secure.

Conclusion

Fixing a “Not Secure” website by installing an SSL certificate is an essential step in protecting your site and your visitors. It enhances security, builds trust, and can even boost your SEO rankings. Whether you’re running a small blog or a large e-commerce site, ensuring that your website is secure should be a top priority. Don’t wait until it’s too late—secure your site with an SSL certificate today!