The short answer
SSL is the familiar name for the certificate and secure connection used by an HTTPS website. It helps protect information as it travels between a visitor's browser and the website.
How it works
The current security technology is called TLS, but people still often say SSL. An address beginning with https:// uses this type of protected connection. Browsers may show a padlock, a settings symbol or a connection message beside the address.
For a small business website, this matters when someone sends an enquiry or looks through your pages. The certificate needs to be valid for your domain. If it expires or is set up incorrectly, visitors may see a warning instead of your website.
A padlock does not prove that a company is honest. It also does not guarantee that every part of a website is secure. It describes the connection, so visitors should still check who they are dealing with.
Our Care Plan page explains the current hosting and certificate cover. If you arrange your own hosting, check that your provider supplies and renews a suitable certificate. We check the connection when we launch your website.
You do not need to buy a certificate before sending your brief. Tell us if your current website shows a security warning, so we can look at the cause with you.
Your next step
What we need from you
Send us your website address if you see a security warning. A screenshot of the warning can help.