Google have announced changes to the Google search engine and Chrome web browser that have massive implications for your website.

1) Google's search engine is starting to rank sites that are not SSL encrypted below sites that are SSL encrypted.

2) Google's Chrome web browser is starting to display a warning message to users if a website is not SSL encrypted.

Until now it has not been necessary to have a Secure Socket Layer (SSL) Certificate allocated to your domain to show that your website is safe and secure, but these changes make it essential that your website now does.

An SSL Certificate is used to establish a secure, encrypted connection between your domain and a user’s browser, preventing unauthorised parties from accessing or interfering with your data.

Instead of starting with HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol), your website address will start with HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure). Using HTTPS, the computers agree on a "code" between them, and then they scramble the messages using that "code" so that no one in between can read them. This keeps your information safer from hackers or other unauthorized users.

This is particularly important when entering personal information from people completing online forms, entering passwords or providing credit card details in online forms. Sites secured by an SSL Certificate show a green padlock or “Secure” message next to the URL in Google Chrome (and other browsers), which reassures users that the site is fully secured and that they are safe to access the site or to enter their personal details.

In simple terms, if your domain has an SSL Certificate and starts with HTTPS, it shows that it is safe and secure and builds customer confidence. If it doesn't, you'll get fewer people visiting your website as your site will be ranked lower in Google, and visitors/customers will be put off accessing a website that displays a warning message. You'll also probably start to get messages from people seeking reassurance that it is safe to access your website.

We have three low cost, easy to implement options that will get your website SSL encrypted within 48 hours:

1) Universal Shared SSL
This option means your SSL certificate is shared with other businesses. This is aimed at personal websites, or very small businesses. There is an annual payment of £35 plus VAT for your shared SSL Certificate, plus a one-off payment of £75 plus VAT to set it up and to make the necessary amends to your domain and DNS settings.

2) Dedicated SSL Certificate (THIS IS WHAT MOST CUSTOMERS NEED!)
This option means you have your own dedicated SSL Certificate protecting your main website address (ie www.yourdomain.com and *yourdomain.com). This is what the majority of businesses need. There is an annual payment of £85 plus VAT for your dedicated SSL Certificate, plus a one-off payment of £75 plus VAT to set it up and make the necessary amends to your domain and DNS settings.

3) Dedicated SSL Certificate with Custom Hostnames
This option means you have your own dedicated SSL Certificate protecting your main website address (ie www.yourdomain.com and *yourdomain.com) and up to 50 more hostnames or wildcards of your choosing. This is for larger businesses who have different sub domains attached to their website. There is an annual payment of £170 plus VAT for your SSL Certificate, plus a one-off payment to set up and make the necessary amends to your domain and sub domain settings. The cost is normally £75 plus VAT, but ultimately depends on how many hostnames and wildcards need to be set up.

NB: There may also be an additional charge to upgrade your website hosting to integrate with SSL depending on your current web hosting service.

Of course, none of the above are mandatory. You can continue without an SSL Certificate but we must advise you that there are serious implications for your website in not doing so.

Simply confirm which option you require (normally Option 2 Dedicated SSL Certificate) - or contact us if you require more information about this or the other two options.

If we are responsible for renewing and managing your domain, you don't need to do anything else. If you renew and manage your own domain's DNS (ie at GODADDY, Network Solutions etc), you will need to login to your account and amend your nameservers. We will send you instructions when we set your SSL Certificate up. Alternatively you can supply your login details and will make the necessary changes for you.

We'll send you an invoice for payment by return and will set up your SSL certificate within 48 hours.