Generally when you shop on line, you will notice that the web address uses a SSL certificate. You will see a lock before the address that shows something like https://www.shoponline.com. What does this actually do for you and the web site? It protects where you go and what you do on that web site. The main reason for it on eCommerce sites is to protect your credit card and billing information.
Recently, congress has decided to allow vendors to sell your surfing patterns and demographics. This is called “big data” and it is very important information for larger companies. Big data allows business to figure out what you do online and how to sell you products and services and other things by tracking you on the internet. Google has responded to this ruling by making a ruling of their own. As we all know, once Google determined that the majority of people viewing the internet were using smart phones, they then required web sites to be responsive to all size screens in order to be found in their search. Now they have announced that in the next several months that they are going to require web site owners to use a SSL to secure their site to protect their visitors. They said that when the policy goes into effect, if a web site is not secure, they will not show up in the Google search.
This means that when you have the SSL or https added to your web site, the person going to your web site cannot be tracked at all and all cookies are blocked in your site.
This is a major rule change by Google like the responsive web site to make your internet surfing a better and safer experience. The bottom line is, if you own a web site and need to be found in the Google search engine, which represents 75% of all searches, then you going to need a SSL certificate. They can be purchased yearly or up to three years from your hosting company. They vary in price BUT do not settle for a free one. These are not valid. If you have a C name domain, i.e.: shop.mydomain.com as well as a regular site with that domain name then purchase a wild card certificate. It will cover all web sites that use your main domain name.
JIm Mahlmann
COO
NetCetra LLC