Step by step guide on how to install an SSL Certificate

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Although you might not know what an SSL certificate is, you probably see one every day. An SSL certificate is used to show that the site that you’re using is secure, ensuring that your credit card transactions, data transfers and logins all remain protected. You can tell if the website you’re using is securely encrypted if there is ‘https://’ in the first part of the webpage’s link, meaning you can share your details with the site safe in the knowledge that your information is properly protected. 

Having a SSL certificate is therefore of paramount importance for your online business. Not only does it show that people can trust you, but it also ranks you higher on Google’s search engine, as it tells Google that your website won’t put users at risk. 

What type of SSL certificate to get

There are multiple types of SSL certificates to choose from, and thus it is important that you choose the right certificate for you. 

Domain Validation SSL (DV) certificates are the most basic type of SSL certificates. They are simple and easy to get – all you need to do is show the Certificate Authority (CA) that you’re the owner of the domain that was applied for. It is a quick process – the certificate can be issued only minutes after purchase, and installed shortly after. This is a fantastic option if you need to secure a personal website, blogs or small online store, as it is a quick and easy way to secure your site.

Organisation Validation SSL (OV) certificates require slightly more graft: your company must meet several requirements to pass the test. However, once validated your website is able to show that it is fully secure as, like the DV SSL,  the green HTTPS and padlock in the address bar will show users that your site is legal and has been approved by a trusted 3rd party.

– The highest level of SSL certificate that you can have is an Extended Validation (EV) certificate or, in other words, the Green Address Bar SSL. This inspires the highest level of trust amongst your customers by triggering the globally understood green address bar. As this is recognised worldwide, anyone around the world can see that your site is very safe. Although this process takes a few days, it can be sped up by ensuring all your organisation’s records are up to date. 

Check out TechRadar’s post on Best SSL certificate services to buy from in 2020 to get the cheapest price!

How do I know what SSL certificate is right for me?

A DV SSL is the cheapest and fastest way to secure your website, as all you need to do is prove that you own the domain. The process is generally automated and doesn’t require you to fish out extra documents to verify your business, so you could be protected in just a few minutes. However, they are not as secure as other SSL certificates. Although Google won’t rank your website lower if you have a DV SSL, some visitors may not trust your site as much as if it had a more secure certificate. This is more likely to become an issue if your online business depends on ecommerce, as potential buyers may not feel comfortable inputting their payment details into a site with a DV SSL. 

An OV SSL shows not only that you own the domain, but also that you own the company that it is linked to. It may take a little longer, but it could mean that visitors to your site think that you are more legitimate and make it more likely for them to make a purchase. 

The EV SSL proves that you own the domain and the business linked to it, but also shows that you have legally registered your company as a business. This high-level SSL takes longer to get and requires more paperwork, but it is the most secure. However, it is unlikely that you need the EV SSL unless you have a large and well-established business that manages large numbers of online payments. 

Renewing your SSL certificate 

Before your SSL certificate is due to run out, you should receive an email alerting you to this. It is vital that you renew your SSL certificate before it runs out: even if you go a day without being certified, Google could push you to the bottom of the search engine. It could also block others from visiting your site. This means that all the hard work that you’ve done to push your ranking up will be lost – Google won’t recommend a site which they believe to be untrustworthy.

Is there an easier way?

Although this might seem all a bit complicated, Go Sitebuilder offers a completely free SSL certificate. This means you don’t have to pay for your certificate, and you also don’t need to go through the laborious process of obtaining one. Our easy to use website comes with a ready-to-go SSL-protected web domain, meaning you can get your online business up and running from day one.

If you’re still uncertain, then our 14-day free trial gives you time to see just how easy it can be to run a secure website – try it today!

How to make sure your legal business’s website is secure online

How to make sure your legal business's website is secure online

Every website owner will endeavour to have a secure site, but if you operate in a legal capacity, keeping confidential or sensitive client data completely safe online will be a top priority. Here’s how to make sure your legal business’s website is secure:

Keep it simple

When designing your legal website, keep it simple and uncomplicated so that you don’t inadvertently introduce any security flaws into your site. Cut down on the number of third party integrations you include, for instance.

Update your site

A legal website can become vulnerable to attack from a virus or hacker if it isn’t kept up to date. This means ensuring your site has the latest security patches, plug-ins and software updates that help to protect it at any given point of time. Keep on top of your website security, and if you haven’t got time to organise this yourself, make use of expert assistance, or use Go Suitebuilder – where we take care of this for you! It’s also a good idea to know what to look out for if your website’s security is compromised in any way so that you can take immediate action to minimise any negative impacts.

Get an SSL certificate

In order to safeguard any sensitive data that may be communicated online between a lawyer and their client, you need to get an SSL certificate for your website. If you use Go Suitebuilder, you’ll get one for free. Otherwise, you’ll need to purchase this certificate, but this is a small price to pay for the peace of mind you get. An SSL certificate enables your website to be hosted on HTTPS as opposed to HTTP. An HTTPS server is much more secure than an HTTP one, giving you and your clients the reassurance that your site is optimally protected. To find out more about SSL certificates and why your business needs one, head over to our SSL blog.

Secure passwords

If you need to use passwords to access data on your legal website, create ones that are hard to guess, unique and consist of a variety of letters, numbers and symbols to offer maximum levels of security. Be careful about who has access to your data, too. For example, make sure to delete passwords used by ex-colleagues or other people who no longer access your site.

Avoid users uploading files

There’s no doubt that in the legal profession, obtaining relevant paperwork and documentation are key aspects of the job. If you operate a legal website, you might think that allowing clients to upload files to your site could save time and money in gaining the necessary paperwork, but proceed with caution. If you let clients upload files to your site, these files might contain scripts that leave your site vulnerable to security attacks. You can reduce this risk by limiting the forms that allow uploads and ensuring documents only support one type of file extension. Alternatively, get users to email files to your email address instead and save their address in your contacts list.

Go Sitebuilder is a simple and easy to use website builder, giving you the ability to create one of the best online businesses in your field of work. Our 14-day free trial gives you all the freedom to craft your own professional website without the upfront financial commitment.