There is a tiny icon in your browser address bar that holds the fate of your online business in its hands: the padlock.
In the past, SSL certificates (which create that padlock) were only necessary for banks or e-commerce stores. Today, the rules have changed. If your website does not load over a secure HTTPS connection, Google Chrome will actively label your site as "Not Secure" in bright red text.
For a visitor, that warning is a digital "Do Not Enter" sign. At Custom Coded Websites, we ensure that every site we build is secured with enterprise-grade encryption from the very first byte. Here is why SSL is the absolute baseline for business credibility.
1. What is SSL/HTTPS? ( The Secure Tunnel)
When a user visits a standard HTTP website, the data travels between their phone and your server in "plain text." Any hacker sitting in a coffee shop on the same Wi-Fi network can intercept that data and read it.
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) creates an encrypted tunnel. It scrambles the data so that even if it is intercepted, it looks like nonsense code.
- HTTP: Unsecure. Open postcard.
- HTTPS: Secure. Locked armored truck.
2. Trust is Your Currency
Imagine walking into a high-street shop and seeing a sign on the door that says, "This shop is not safe." You would turn around immediately.
That is exactly what the "Not Secure" browser warning does. It kills conversion rates instantly. Whether you are collecting credit card details, or just a simple contact form with a name and email, users demand privacy. If they don't see the padlock, they assume you are amateurish or, worse, compromised.
3. Google Rankings (SEO)
Google wants a safe internet. Since 2014, they have used HTTPS as a Ranking Signal.
If you and a competitor have similar content, but they have SSL and you don't, Google will rank them higher. In 2025, it is virtually impossible to rank on Page 1 without HTTPS. It is not just a security feature; it is an SEO prerequisite.
4. The "Mixed Content" Trap
Installing an SSL certificate is not always as simple as clicking a button. A common issue we fix for clients is "Mixed Content."
This happens when the page loads securely (HTTPS), but an image or script on the page is loading insecurely (HTTP). The padlock disappears, and the browser blocks the content. The Fix: We perform a full codebase audit. We rewrite hard-coded links in your database and templates to ensure every single asset is served through the secure tunnel, guaranteeing a "Fully Secure" status.
5. Automated Renewals (Let's Encrypt)
Old-school SSL certificates had to be bought annually. If you forgot to renew on the specific date, your site would crash with a scary security error.
We implement Automated SSL Management using strict protocols like Let's Encrypt.
- The certificate renews itself automatically every 90 days.
- There is zero downtime.
- There is no manual admin required.
We also configure HSTS (HTTP Strict Transport Security), a technical header that forces browsers to only ever load the secure version of your site, preventing "downgrade attacks."
Conclusion: Security is Standard
You wouldn't open a shop without a lock on the front door. Don't launch a website without HTTPS.
It protects your customers, it pleases Google, and it protects your brand reputation.
Get a Security Audit. If your site is showing "Not Secure," contact us immediately.