Why Google Might Be Penalizing Your Website

When a noun becomes a verb, you know you’re dealing with a force to be reckoned with. That’s exactly what’s happened with Google. With over 70% of the search engine share, they are unquestionably the most popular search engine. So when Google says jump, it’s best to get out the pogo stick.

SSL Certificates make Google happy

SSL Certificates and Google

If your site doesn’t have an SSL certificate, you’re getting penalized by Google. Without one, your site will come back lower in search results. It’s as simple as that. Not to mention the big “Not Secure” warning that flashes across the screen is sure to have visitors question the trustworthiness of your site.

Sites that don't have an SSL certificate are penalized by Google and shake the trust of viewers.

So What is a SSL Certificate?

Secure Sockets Layer, or SSL, is a technology that creates an encrypted link between a web server and a browser. When a website is viewed, the information passes through different networks and servers. If that connection isn’t secure, that leaves that information open to being highjacked along the way.

Having an SSL certificate on your site helps keep information safe.

How Do You Know When a Site Has an SSL Certificate?

Easy! Just look at the URL of the website. If it begins with HTTPS the site has an SSL certificate on it. If it has HTTP, it does not.

HTTP vs HTTPs image

I’m Not Selling Anything on My Site? Do I Still Need an SSL?

When your site has an SSL certificate on it, it assures that any info shared is protected. That means not only credit card numbers but birthdays, email addresses, passwords and all that other personal info that you share.

Still Not Convinced?

In case you still need more convincing, adding an SSL certificate to your website will improve your page load time. According to the page loading speed test, pages with SSL certificates load up to 334% faster than those without. And yes, Google penalizes for slow loading web pages as well so getting that SSL certificate will make Google happy times two!

Foerstel specializes in putting SSL certificates on your website

How Do I Get an SSL Certificate?

Finally convinced? Great! If you are web-savvy, there are lots of tutorials (including this one) online to help walk you through the steps. Otherwise, take the stress out of making the switch and let us do the work for you! Email Daryl to get started!

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Tom Foerstel : Founder & President

Tom Foerstel

Founder & President

Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area in the 60’s, Tom developed a strong desire to create positive change for people and planet.

 

He went on to pursue his passion for art and design at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, and worked for design firms in Southern California before moving to Boise, Idaho in the early 80’s. Foerstel Design opened its doors in 1985. Since its inception, the firm has cultivated a bold, happy, forward-looking team focussed on creating distinct and effective work on behalf of their clients.

 

An integral part of Tom’s philosophy is giving back to the community in which he lives — a company cornerstone that drives Foerstel’s long history of providing pro-bono services to local non-profit humanitarian and arts programs.

 

One of Tom’s proudest personal achievements is his ability to say Supercalifragilisticexpyalidocious backwards.