As of October 2017, Google, through their Chrome web browser, implemented a new policy alerting visitors of websites that do not use a SSL certificate on their site.

A SSL certificate is an encryption technology that allows data to be transmitted securely.  This is particularly important in cases where sensitive data is transmitted on your site, like forms requesting personal information or anything involving ecommerce payments such as memberships or shopping carts.

Even if your website does not process any sensitive data, Google will notify the site visitor that the site is not using a SSL, and this could negatively affect the reputation of your website if users are scared away from using your it.

The goal of a SSL certification is to:

  • authenticate the owner of the website,
  • ensures that the integrity of the data has not been compromised,
  • and to encrypt any communications received or transmitted by the website visitors.

SiteWyze offers SSL Packages for all our client websites, which renew annually, making sure that your website maintains its secure status with Google and other browsers.

Additionally, all of our SSL websites are provided a dedicated server IP (internet protocol) address.

There are a lot of companies that do not require that you have – or even have the ability to provide you with – a dedicated IP address. At SiteWyze, we understand the overall importance of ensuring that your site and domain (your www address) maintain the best reputation possible.

Here is why we also include a dedicated IP address with every SSL package:

  • Your email reputation. If you share an IP address with other websites via a shared IP (which is very common), and any of those other websites spam via email, your email will also be blacklisted.
  • Search engine optimization. A dedicated IP address helps speed up your site and is good for SEO.
  • Custom website applications. A dedicated IP address may be required for certain website applications and forms, including online stores, memberships, booking engines, custom newsletter programs, etc.
  • Cross-browser compatibility. A dedicated IP address is less likely to experience issues than a site with a shared IP.
  • Maximum support. Ideal for backend access to each website for the host provider when providing domain level support.
  • Protect your site against hacking. When using a shared IP address, if another account using the same IP is hacked (usually for lack of email address password strength), your domain is also susceptible. When you have a dedicated IP address, you do not have to worry about what happens to other sites, or their vulnerability.

It is important to note that adding an SSL and dedicated IP address for your website is not a mandatory step to take, however, we strongly encourage our clients to consider taking this little step that can have a big effect on your overall site and email setup.

If you have questions, or would like to know more about adding this security feature to your website, please contact us at 1-866-344-0533 and we will be happy to help.