Have you ever seen this in the URL bar while browsing the web, or even on your own website?
Like the notification states, it means that the website you are viewing is not secure. So any data, such as contact forms, or even credit card information that is transmitted from your computer back to the other site’s servers could potentially be intercepted.
In a world where cyber crimes and hacking are on the rise, you need to let your visitors know that they are securely browsing the web when they are on your website.
If you need another reason to secure your website, there is also a bit of a ranking benefit in Google Search for secure sites.
#1 SSL Certificate
So how do you go about securing your website you might ask?
The answer is by installing an SSL Certificate on your site.
There are too many companies that provide SSL Certificates for me to recommend just one, but I would say that generally, it is easiest to go through whoever you use as your hosting company.
I use Bluehost (referral link), and they offer a free SSL Certificate that is a one-click install for WordPress sites making for a super easy transition to a secure site. So the first step would be to see what your hosting company provides for SSL Certificates and then go from there.
#2 SSL Server Tester Tool
If you already have an SSL Certificate on your site then good job to you! But just because you have that little green padlock doesn’t mean that you are all done.
I have two tools that you should run on your site to make sure everything is working properly and your site is secure.
SSL Server Tester Tool: This tool will grade you on your SSL Certificate. You need to be an A student and if you get anything other than that look through the report that it gives you and correct any of the errors.
SSL Redirect Mapper: This tool checks all your top-level redirects to make sure that only one site is serving to your site visitors. In the 4 different redirects it checks, you want three of them to say 1 redirect and one to have no redirect like the photo below.
Bonus Tip: Make sure that you add the secure https version of your site to Google Search Console, and change your Google Analytics Property Settings to the https version as well.
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