The Importance Of Securing Your Website

A cyber attack happens every 40 seconds. Of those attacks, 43% target small businesses.
To protect your website from this type of malicious hack, you should take one important precaution: Secure Your Site.

In the past, SSLs have only been deemed necessary for eCommerce websites or sites that request personal information such as a phone number, address, or email address. Today, this is not the case. Every website should be secure, for a myriad of reasons.

The first and most important benefit of having an SSL on your site is that it protects your site visitors' information by encrypting data that is transmitted from your site so that it can only be interpreted by the recipient, where it is decrypted. This helps to deter a type of cyber attack called eavesdropping. It is also necessary to have an SSL on a site that collects credit card information in order to be PCI compliant.

Additionally, having an SSL helps to protect from scams such as phishing, where a fraudulent website will try to pose as your business. Having an SSL on your site is a method of verification, letting customers know what site is valid.

By securing your site, you prevent a warning from displaying on your site letting your visitors know that the site is not secure. Having that alert pop up leaves a negative impression about your website. Google places great importance on “customer experience”. To enforce this, starting in 2018, they started identifying websites that are not secure by putting a red alert in the address bar where the SSL padlock should be. In some cases, it will even present a warning screen that tells the site visitor that the site is not secure and asks if they are sure they want to proceed. A considerable amount of traffic could be lost in this exchange. Site security is also a factor in Google ranking, so not having an SSL could negatively affect your site's search engine performance.

Even if you don’t request any private information on your site, security is now the norm. It is expected of sites to be secure because that translates to trust. It lets your visitors know that their privacy and security are important to you. In short, it just looks better to have an SSL than to not. At this point, it is a matter of perception as much as it is actually necessary. However, public perception is important when you are trying to drive traffic to your website.

The only con that people typically tout when discussing whether or not to get an SSL is the cost associated and the time it takes to apply it. Well, lucky for you, Homestead offers a free and automatic SSL when you build a site with Website Builder, our newest building platform.

Get started today!

Account: Create a New Site | Homestead Community

Responses

tdjconsultants6042

2 Messages

•

174 Points

5 years ago

I have built a site with Website Builder and when people visit this is what they see:

Image httpsd2r1vs3d9006apcloudfrontnets3_images1812202RackMultipart20191028-1933-176nb3r-image_inlinepng1572288294

so this shows that I didn't get a "free and automatic SSL"

ken7517

7 Messages

•

462 Points

5 years ago

back in 2018, homestead offered a free ssl through cloudfare & I did this, however, I must not have done it right because I never got the https on my homestead website. I now see that homestead is offering free ssl via your newest builder? I really am not that tech savvy & need to be able to do this easily. do you recommend my getting a free ssl via your newest builder?

michelle_c

7.6K Messages

•

106.7K Points

Hello,

Since you have already went through some of the process to set up the cloud flare SSL I would recommend use it , just make sure last steps are complete. I see you have already changed your name serves so start at step 12 in this article to complete it https://community.homestead.com/homestead/topics/can-i-secure-my-homestead-website-with-https

In order to use the auto ssl on the new builder you will need to add a new site and rebuild your site with the new soft ware. You can do this without interfering with your current site if you would like to check out the new builder, WebsiteBuilder.

5 years ago

ken7517

7 Messages

•

462 Points

I find the process of getting the ssl too complicated via cloudfare. that's why I am stumped where I am at now without getting the https. if I understand you correctly, I can abandon cloudfare & leave it where it's at it at the moment & I have the option to get the ssl via the newest builder? is that right?

5 years ago

michelle_c

7.6K Messages

•

106.7K Points

That is correct. If you need help you can always call in to get walked through the process, it only takes about 10 minutes.

5 years ago

ken7517

7 Messages

•

462 Points

ok thanks

5 years ago

george0083

8 Messages

•

336 Points

One of my sites is secure. The other one is not. Whatup?

5 years ago

philip0404

10 Messages

•

430 Points

4 years ago

Hi, I have the same problem. I have three website written in Site Builder - two are secure but the third www.juniorchurch.com is not secure. Are you able to help? Thanks.

michelle_c

7.6K Messages

•

106.7K Points

Hello Philip,

This domain is connected to a WebsiteBuilder site. I have completed the steps to secure the site and it will show secured shortly. Here are the instructions for future reference. https://community.homestead.com/homestead/topics/websitebuilder-ssl-cnvdqnt2aqgpr

4 years ago

lilette7874

1 Message

•

60 Points

4 years ago

Hi Michelle,

I have the same issue. Utahland.org was built using WebsiteBuilder but is now showing as Not secure. Can you assist us?

Tony

michelle_c

7.6K Messages

•

106.7K Points

Hello Lilette7874,

Yes, I have initiated the SSL for that domain.

4 years ago

butch1385

32 Messages

•

562 Points

4 years ago

Hi my websites is not secured. i am using website builder already. my website toysmanila.com was terminated because i can no longer open it. now my maniladecor.com experiences the same problem. how can i secure my websites ? i read that " Well, lucky for you, Homestead offers a free and automatic SSL when you build a site with Website Builder, our newest building platform. " Pls help

michelle_c

7.6K Messages

•

106.7K Points

Hello,

The WebsiteBuilder sites do include an SSL and it can be activated by following the steps in this article.
https://community.homestead.com/conversations/websitebuilder/websitebuilder-ssl/5f2a9b3158180958845dab29

4 years ago

oldtownpaint0965

3 Messages

•

100 Points

4 years ago

October 29, 2020

I need help securing my website. Please help.

michelle_c

7.6K Messages

•

106.7K Points

Hello,

The site can be secured by following the steps in this article. https://community.homestead.com/conversations/sitebuilder-plus/can-i-secure-my-homestead-website-with-https/5f2a9b1658180958845a60de If you need help with the set up please call in at 1-800-710-1998 and we can assist

4 years ago

robert6718

1 Message

•

60 Points

4 years ago

My site globalministrysupply.org needs SSL added. How do I do it please?

Thank you

Bob

michelle_c

7.6K Messages

•

106.7K Points

Hello,

Please follow the steps in this article to activate the SSL for the site. https://community.homestead.com/conversations/sitebuilder-plus/can-i-secure-my-homestead-website-with-https/5f2a9b1658180958845a60de

4 years ago

jason3437

4 Messages

•

90 Points

3 years ago

I recently built a new website using websitebuilder (old site was built with sitebuilder). The site is now showing not secure phoenix-arch.com . How can I fix that?

michelle_c

7.6K Messages

•

106.7K Points

Hello,

Please follow the steps in this article to add an SSL and secure the website. https://community.homestead.com/conversations/websitebuilder/websitebuilder-ssl/5f2a9b3158180958845dab29

3 years ago

jason3437

4 Messages

•

90 Points

I received this message and I'm not sure if if I am supposed to confirm or not

A Records

@.phoenix-arch.com will point to 66.235.200.22

www.phoenix-arch.com will point to 66.235.200.22

Changing your 'www' A Record will make your Homestead website or store inaccessible! Please verify that this action is desired before confirming.

3 years ago

michelle_c

7.6K Messages

•

106.7K Points

You can confirm this change the IP still points to homestead for your site it will be fine.

3 years ago

jason3437

4 Messages

•

90 Points

I followed all the steps outlined. It has been a week and the site still shows Not Secure.

3 years ago

michelle_c

7.6K Messages

•

106.7K Points

Hello,

The last step may have been messed. However, I have provisioned the SSL again and you can see it working and showing secure at https://www.phoenix-arch.com/. Please allow a little time for this to automatically override the not secure URL.

3 years ago

barb9183

1 Message

•

60 Points

3 years ago

I have an existing site in Sitebuilder that I'd like to update with SSL certificate. I thought I'd done the Cloudflare correctly, but it never updated and still indicates "Not Secure". Can I redo the site in the new builder and leave the old site up until I'm done? Thanks.

-1

michelle_c

7.6K Messages

•

106.7K Points

Hello,

Yes, this can be done by first adding a new site to the account. https://community.homestead.com/conversations/websitebuilder/account-create-a-new-site/5f2a9ae7581809588454a628

This will allow the current site to remain up and running. When you are done building the new site, the domain name can be attached to it by changing the site association. https://community.homestead.com/conversations/account-billing/account-change-site-association/5f2a9a84581809588449007a

3 years ago

jean0219

4 Messages

•

170 Points

3 years ago

I am pretty much a novice. I buiIt my website years ago with Homestead. I need an SSL for www.briarwoodestatescommunity.com. Could you please walk me through how to do this? I have read the help that has been given to others in this thread, and I have tried the suggestion of putting my domain name in the link you provided to others. I am getting a "domain doesn't exist" message.

Help please?

michelle_c

7.6K Messages

•

106.7K Points

Hello,

The instructions you are referring to are for sites built in WebsiteBuilder. For sites built in Sitebuilder plus Cloudflare can be used to secure the site. Here are the instructions to do so, https://community.homestead.com/conversations/sitebuilder-plus/can-i-secure-my-homestead-website-with-https/5f2a9b1658180958845a60de if you need assistance with the process support can help at 1-800-710-1998.

3 years ago

trina2149

5 Messages

•

172 Points

3 years ago

I have had my website since 2007. I never had any problems in the past and did not change anything on the site builder. I was recently made aware my website is no longer secure. Why is this? I’ve been paying monthly for years to have this website domain. It used to be secure. I know nothing about theses settings. This is very frustrating that these changes were made. I’m not sure how long my site has not been secure. Can someone fix this for me. www.staycleancleaning.net

elyzabethv

10.8K Messages

•

143.2K Points

Hello,

This site has never been secure. Sitebuilder Plus sites cannot be secure unless you take the steps to secure it through the 3rd party SSL we offer, through Cloudflare. Looking at your domain history, it has been pointing to our nameservers for the past 13 years, so it was never pointed to Cloudflare to secure it. You can definitely take the steps to do so now:

Can I Secure My Homestead Website With HTTPS? | Homestead Community

3 years ago

suzanne4571

2 Messages

•

70 Points

3 years ago

I don't understand. If I build a new website, what will happen to the one I have/

elyzabethv

10.8K Messages

•

143.2K Points

Once you switch over to the new website, you can decide whether to keep that old website (it would just be using the .homestead.com site name instead of the domain) or delete it.

3 years ago

suzanne4571

2 Messages

•

70 Points

Thank you, elyzabethv, for taking time to answer my question.

3 years ago

russ9136

11 Messages

•

252 Points

2 years ago

Can you please help me with my best options to make my site secure. My website is www.radonrus.com ? I am also wandering if someone would be able to help me redesign my site at no cost. I am looking at having all the information from my 3 tabs to be on the first page instead of 3 separate pages. Then they can just click on the tab at the top to go to that area.

Thank you in advance.

elyzabethv

10.8K Messages

•

143.2K Points

Please follow these instructions to secure your site:

Can I Secure My Homestead Website With HTTPS? | Homestead Community

Unfortunately, design services do cost money, but you can definitely work to make those changes on your website on your end.

2 years ago

russ9136

11 Messages

•

252 Points

@elyzabethv Thank you! My fingers are crossed I did it right :)

2 years ago

elyzabethv

10.8K Messages

•

143.2K Points

Looks like it! Your site is working if you type https:// before the address. Looks like you just need to do steps 12 and 13 and you'll be good to go!

2 years ago

russ9136

11 Messages

•

252 Points

@elyzabethv Thank you. Can you tell me how to find the page for Step 12. I see the instructions but how do I get that page?

2 years ago

russ9136

11 Messages

•

252 Points

@elyzabethv Thank you :) I see the instructions for step 12 and 13 but how do I find that page?

2 years ago

brian3440

1 Message

•

60 Points

2 years ago

I have a SSL from another company. How do I get the CSR from Homestead?

todd_h

1K Messages

•

30K Points

There is not a way for Homestead to provide this. The recommended options to SSL the websites with Homestead is Cloudflare if you are using Sitebuilder Plus, or to utilize the built in SSL that is offered through WebsiteBuilder.

2 years ago

john5471_e3db59

8 Messages

•

190 Points

2 years ago

I created RMPO.org in WebSiteBuilder and upgraded privacy last month but the site still indicates it is not secure.

How long does it take for the upgrade to take effect?

elyzabethv

10.8K Messages

•

143.2K Points

Hello,

I was able to provision the SSL on your website and it is working on my end.

2 years ago

homestead_faq

The Importance Of Securing Your Website

tdjconsultants6042

ken7517

michelle_c

ken7517

michelle_c

ken7517

george0083

philip0404

michelle_c

lilette7874

michelle_c

butch1385

michelle_c

oldtownpaint0965

michelle_c

robert6718

michelle_c

jason3437

michelle_c

jason3437

michelle_c

jason3437

michelle_c

barb9183

michelle_c

jean0219

michelle_c

trina2149

elyzabethv

suzanne4571

elyzabethv

suzanne4571

russ9136

elyzabethv

russ9136

elyzabethv

russ9136

russ9136

brian3440

todd_h

john5471_e3db59

elyzabethv

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