Is your website secure?

Your website security isn’t just a ‘nice to have’ – it’s a fundamental part of running your business. Read on for our 6 simple steps to keep your website as safe as possible.

Did you know that?5.7 billion people ?browse the internet every single day? Add in the fact that a?new website is built every 3 seconds ?(hey look – another one’s been built in the time you read that sentence!) and it’s safe to say that there’s a hell of a lot of information moving around the online-sphere on a continuous basis.

As website owners, it’s therefore vital that we ensure the safety of both our users and our business. An unsafe website can quickly jeopardise visitor safety by funnelling out malware, spam, stealing information and much, much more.

The ripple effect on your business can be detrimental. And since website security is something that users are becoming increasingly savvy to, here’s your reminder to analyse your own site safety and make sure that everything is up to the highest standards.

Why does website safety matter?

The negative impact of a cyber breach is enormous; no matter the size of your business. Financially, it was found that between 2021 – 2022 losses to fraud and cybercrime in the UK?totaled over ￡3 billion . In addition, there’s the loss of potential income from customers or clients who may avoid your offering entirely due to a lack of security on your website.?

The impact spreads wide. An unsafe site can:

• Negatively impact your SEO. Since 2018, website security has been a ranking factor in search engines like Google.
• Put customer information at risk.
• Put your own assets at risk.
• Cost a LOT of money to fix.
• Lead to a serious drop in your business reputation.

*Gulp* It really is something that should be avoided at all costs! And, worryingly, it’s more common than you might think: it’s been said that?there is an attack every 39 seconds (on average).

So, let’s put both yours and your customer’s minds at rest – let’s kick your website security into shape.

How can you show that your website is secure?

1. Make sure you’ve got an up to date SSL certificate

An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is a digital certificate that authenticates your website identity, protects your customer information and stops sensitive data from being exchanged; it does this by encrypting all website data.

You can recognise a site with SSL by the green padlock at the start of the website URL. We see it as an online ID card, keeping everything you have built into both your website and business safe and protected. As small business owners – and especially now, in a forever changing climate – enlisting tools like this that keep your business as resilient as possible matters.

In 2018, Google started to mark any websites without an SSL certificate as “not secure”. So, if you want Google to pay your site the right kind of attention, get your SSL certificate sorted – immediately!

RELATED: WHAT IS AN SSL CERTIFICATE AND DOES MY SMALL BUSINESS NEED ONE?

2. Use a modern, safe theme

The theme that you choose for your website has a big role to play in your website security. Themes – alongside everything which comes together to build your website – are made with code. As time passes, some of the settings formed through the code can become outdated, leading to the website becoming vulnerable to attack.

This is why?custom websites ?from an expert professional are worth their weight in gold, as is keeping on top of all the latest and necessary?updates ?that your website (including any plugins that you use) needs.

Oh, and you know that super cheap WordPress theme that you saw advertised to you through Instagram? Be cautious. There are a lot of pirated themes out there, and while they may seem identical to the original, uploading one to your site will open yourself up to security threats.?

3. Check your privacy policy

First thing’s first – does your website have a privacy policy on it? No? Get to it!

Your website privacy policy will tell customers how their data is collected, used and protected on the website. It’s a requirement for many large companies, but – really – it’s best practice for all.

If you’re collecting data, show people that you’re taking their data (and its protection) seriously. If not, you may find that your omission of a privacy policy acts as a red flag for potential leads.?

4. Keep contact details updated (and live!)

As a general rule of thumb, a website with contact information immediately appears more trustworthy than one without. It’s proof that a business is legitimate, and a way for customers to look you up and check that you’re the real deal.

This doesn’t have to be anything extravagant: a contact number, email address and – if you have it – a physical address. If you use social media to market your business, it’s also worth putting those there as well. This information can go both in your footer and a dedicated contact page.

While including your contact information won’t save you from a cyber attack, it will show visitors that you’re genuine (and give them a way to reach you directly if they need any further support).

5. Add reviews

Online reviews are SO important for businesses and their customers. They build trust through providing social proof, increasing brand trust, validating expertise, confirming authority and even increasing your reach (when using something like Google Reviews, for example).

Research found that 76% of consumers “regularly” read online reviews when browsing for local businesses. Clearly, reviews have a major influence on consumer behaviour – if someone can see that your business is respected and your products or services are well received, they’re going to be more likely to trust you and make their own commitment.

6. Upload your trust seals

Trust seals are verifications from third party sources; for example, Mcafee, Google, Paypal and Norton. You’ll often find these seals placed on homepages, login pages and checkout pages. They provide visitors with the reassurance that the website they’re on is super safe and that all of their details will remain secure.

It’s worth noting that the seal should redirect out to the website of the company it’s been issued by, or to a page that offers out more information. A seal with no further information is pretty redundant and can appear unauthentic. It’s been known for businesses to use fake stamps (which are images that don’t provide any of those additional details).

Trust seals won’t be appropriate for all businesses, but – especially for eCommerce – they can be a great way to show visitors that security is at the top of your agenda.

Final tips: keeping your website safe

While it’s critical that you nail your website security when you first set up a site, it’s just as important to keep on top of it. What’s safe for your site now will change in a year’s time. Software needs updating, requirements change – and yes, it can become a bit of a firefight without consistent maintenance!

Which is why we’ve created The Technical Support Plan. This is our monthly maintenance package to ensure your website continues to run in a safe and secure way. You will get a set number of support hours and services every month to utilise, keeping your website in tip top shape.

To find out more, check out our?package page ?or?book in a call ?to tell us about your specific needs.