Google – who rules the online world – is posting warnings on sites that require login or passwords, to say that the sites need to be SSL secure.
Back starting in 2017, visitors using the Chrome browser started seeing warning messages on HTTP pages that collected passwords or credit card information, if the website didn't have SSL technology.
Now Google is saying that it wants every website to be secure. So, it's adding warnings to websites that may only have a regular contact form, versus ecommerce or private ares.
The warnings show up in the URL line before the domain name and look like this: Not Secure | http://domainname.com
What is SSL?
SSL (Secure Socket Layer) is a technology that encrypts the data transmitted between your website and the browser used by your visitors. You can tell a website has SSL by the little green lock next to the website address in your browser. Plus, the domain of a website with SSL reads as https:// instead of http://.
Having an SSL secure website lets your clients and prospects know that their sensitive information will be safe with you.
Google is now starting to add the term 'NOT SECURE' before the URL on websites that do not have SSL.
Are there other benefits to having SSL on a regular website?
Yes. Business owners that have SSL on their websites typically experience higher Google Search Engine Rankings – simply because Google wants every website to be SSL protected..
On the flip side, seeing the 'NOT SECURE' message when visiting a website could discourage people from staying on the website... and trusting the business.
So, SSL is no longer just for eCommerce websites.
Even if your business is not selling products online, installing SSL is worth it for the added Search Engine Optimization (SEO) points you will get from Google. This can be a key strategy in ranking higher in the long run.