In this article, I will explain what SSL is, how to identify a secure site, how SSL works, and why your website needs it.

What Is SSL?

SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer. SSL is a standard security feature for websites that protects sensitive, personal information, such as:

• Login information
• Address
• Phone number
• Social security number
• Credit card data

SSL creates a secure, encrypted link between an Internet user’s browser and the website the browser is connecting to. Encryption means that no one other than those two parties can read the information being sent back and forth.

That way, a hacker or anyone eavesdropping on the exchange of personal information cannot read it.

SSL also uses authentication to make sure your data is sent to the right website.

Lastly, SSL assures you of data integrity, which means that no one can change the information before it gets to the intended party without being detected.

Identifying a Secure Site

You can tell that a site is SSL-secured by looking at the address bar of the website you’re on.

If you see a lock icon next to the website title and URL, the website is SSL-secured. The “s” after HTTP in the URL (https) also means that it is secure.

If the website title is green, it has extended validation SSL security. This means that the website has additional certification beyond basic SSL validation.

Extended validation is a great choice for e-commerce where credit card information is given. This extra layer of certification helps consumers trust the website, driving more conversions.

How SSL Works

To understand how SSL works, you need to know a little about what happens behind-the-scenes when you go to a website.

When you go to a website, your browser communicates with the web server you’re visiting. Your browser needs to make sure that the server is safe before connecting.

Remember what your mom said about not talking to strangers?

Your browser is just as wise. It has built-in safety checks to protect you from unknown and unsecured websites.

When you type in a web address into your browser and hit enter, a hidden conversation between your browser and the server begins. But you’ll never hear it. Here’s what happens, in a nutshell.

1. Your browser initiates an SSL connection to the server in what’s called a “client hello.” This is where the browser asks for the server’s credentials.
2. The server then tells the browser that it’s safe to proceed and gives a “server hello” along with a copy of its SSL certificate.
3. Next, the browser reviews the SSL certificate to see if it is trustworthy. If the SSL certificate has been verified by a Certificate Authority (CA), the browser can trust the website. CAs are controlled by a security organization such as Comodo, Symantec, and GoDaddy. If the site is trustworthy, the browser sends the OK to transmit data.
4. The server then sends their OK back to the browser, establishing a secure connection.
5. At this point, trust is established, and they can exchange information.

Who Needs an SSL Certificate?

So, now that we know how SSL works, how do you know if you need it?

Let’s discuss when SSL certification is required, and when it’s highly recommended.

1. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard requires all e-commerce sites to have SSL. This includes email, banks, and social networks. This regulation is called PCI Compliance.

2. If your website requires login information with a username and password, you should have an SSL certificate. This ensures that your users’ private information is safe.

3. If users submit personal identifiable information (PII) on your website, you should have SSL encryption. PII includes phone numbers, addresses, and social security numbers. SSL keeps your user’s information secure.

If your website has fields asking for these three types of confidential information, you should have SSL protection. This ensures that site visitors will see the green lock icon next to your URL, so they know they can trust your site.

Web sites running on Firefox (version 51) will not have the green lock icon if they ask for sensitive information without SSL protection. Instead, they will have a gray lock with a red slash through it. Similarly, Chrome browsers (version 56) will have gray text that says “Not Secure.”

These warnings can erode your visitors’ trust.

Will I Need SSL?

Now, let’s say your website doesn’t ask for any sensitive information. Should you still get SSL protection?

Yes. This is because in future Chrome updates, all websites that lack SSL certification (ones that say HTTP rather than HTTPS) will be labeled “Not Secure” with a red triangle that has an exclamation point (!) in it. Even sites without fields for sensitive information will warn the user that the site is not safe.

This could drive visitors away from your site. Even though you may not need SSL encryption on your site, many visitors will feel unsafe, and they may leave your page.

For this reason, it’s wise to get SSL protection if you don’t already have it, even if your site is benign. Plus, you’ll get a search ranking boost from Google for having it.

If you want SSL certification, but you’re turned off by the price, you might consider a company like Let’s Encrypt. They offer free certification.

Summary

To sum up, SSL is a standard certification that provides encryption, data integrity, and authentication for business websites. It protects your customers’ PPI and your reputation.

You can tell that a site has SSL protection by looking for the “https” in its URL and the lock icon. Extended validation sites have green in the address bar.

When a browser tries to connect to a server, it initiates an SSL conversation to make sure the site is trustworthy. If a Certificate Authority has verified the site, it passes the security check. The parties can then safely exchange personal information.

All business websites should have SSL certification. If your website sells items, requests login information, or asks for personal information, you need SSL certification. This helps your customers trust your brand, and it boosts your placement on Google Search.

If your site only has content, such as a blog, it’s still wise to get certified. That way your site isn’t flagged as “Not Secure” by future versions of Chrome.

I hope this post has helped you understand how SSL works and why your website needs it. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to post a comment below.

Until next time……

The post How SSL Works and Why You Need it appeared first on Selma Mariudottir.

If you’re unfamiliar with the platform, you’re in luck. I’m offering an informative guide to what it is and why you need it.

What Is an Autoresponder?

Autoresponder is a software program used to send messages of all kinds to your subscribers, when triggered by a series of events you determine.

For instance, if a customer books a room on a hotel website,  he/she will receive a personalized confirmation email.  An additional example would be alerting about new products or to greet new subscribers.

Which Is the Best Autoresponder?

More than 3 million worldwide customers use GetResponse, because it’s one of the best autoresponder.

One thing that ensures it stands out from the crowd is its user-friendly features.

For instance, you can use it for:

• High-quality email newsletters
• Follow-up email campaigns
• Video emails
• Building a targeted subscriber list

Nurture Your Leads

Did you know companies that send automated emails are 133% more likely to send relevant messages that correspond with the customer’s purchase cycle?

GetResponse is one of the best autoresponder tool, as it sends the right email at the right time.

An automated email will allow you to build a relationship with the customer right away.

You can do this by sending valuable information straight into their inbox. Aim to provide an insight into the industry and teach them how to make better buying decisions.

So, a customer will have an opportunity to read your best content that’s relevant to their needs.

Click here to read the top 5 strategies for effective content creation.

A Beautiful Design

A professional-looking email will reflect a professional brand and service.

GetResponse allows you to create stunning email marketing designs that complement your business.

You can choose from more than 500 pre-designed email templates.

High-quality images are essential for any marketing campaign. For this reason, you will be happy to learn you can also use more than 1,000 free iStock photos.

There’s also a drag-and-drop HTML code editor, as well as a mobile preview.

Does all this sound a little daunting? Don’t worry. It doesn’t matter if you’re a graphic designer or a beginner, you can learn how to create beautiful designs.

Convert Leads into Customers

You might not realize it, but email marketing has the highest conversion rate of 66%. This is in comparison to direct mail, social media and more.

So, if you have many leads but few sales, email marketing could be the way forward for your company.

GetResponse email marketing will allow you to build brand awareness, so you can encourage trust and loyalty.

You can also create email marketing campaigns that aren’t too salesy.

An insight email might be enough to convince a customer that you’re the best business for their needs.

You could even use the email marketing tool to build anticipation ahead of a product launch. So, a customer will become more excited about the product and may choose to buy it once available.

Conclusion

It’s not hard to see why GetResponse has become one of the best autoresponder platform. After all, it offers personalized marketing emails, many templates and various email options to choose from.

So, if you want to grow your business into the future, you should embark on an email marketing campaign. It can help turn leads into sales.

Until next time……

The post GetResponse Autoresponder Tool: What It Is and Why You Need It appeared first on Selma Mariudottir.

We live in a day and age where we perform most of our personal and professional work and communication online, but we sometimes take our technology for granted.  

Just Ask Dennis Cooper

Like many artists and aspiring online entrepreneurs, artist Dennis Cooper launched a free Blogger website back in 2002. While many have abandoned this early blogging platform, Dennis still achieved much success with his blog. In fact, he found that his blog was such a convenient platform to work within, that he performed and saved all of his work within his blog. He also used the linked email to conduct all of his personal and professional communication.

But then Google removed his blog without notice, and all of his work and contacts were lost! Years’ worth of work!

Back Up Today So This Doesn’t Happen To You Too!

While Dennis’s case is a bit unique because he was using a free blogging platform, your paid blog or website could still suffer similar loss. While you may not wake up one day to find that your website has been removed, you could wake up to find that:

• Your website has been hacked
• Your data has been compromised
• Essential work has been lost
• That your content or overall design is lost during an update
• That your theme has gone haywire

Backing Up Your Website Is Easy

Not only should you back up your website or blog, but you should automate your back ups – so that you can rest assured that the potential for loss is minimal. The good news is, that backing up is easy!

I use UpdraftPlus to back up each of my websites – even this one! UpdraftPlus allows me to automate my back ups, so that I never forget, and provides me with ample Amazon S2 Storage. It is also intuitive, and secure – so that I never worry about my hard work being compromised.

Even if you save all of your written content in Word docs or other files, backing up your website is the only way to ensue swift recovery if your website is compromised.

Learn more about UpdraftPlus today!

Until next time……

The post WordPress Backup: Make sure you don’t loose your work appeared first on Selma Mariudottir.

The post Products [Page] appeared first on Selma Mariudottir.

There is a lot here for you to explore, and that is designed to fulfill a wide-range of your interests.

I thought I would take a few minutes to share a bit with you about my background so that you know who is on the other end of this connection.

As The Story Goes – It’s Not What You Have, It’s What You Do With It!

I was born in Iceland, the Land of Fire and Ice.

The two volcano photos are from Norðurflug’s website (www.heli.is),
and the others are from a tour I booked with Norðurflug 2015.

At a young age I was placed in foster care. By the time I was 16 years old I had lived with 3 different families, one of which both of my parents were alcoholics.

The ups and downs of my childhood led to severe depression, but then everything changed!

Music – The Soundtrack Of Our Life

At age of 7, I discovered my love for the art of music and started playing piano and accordion by ear.  Around the age of 11, I learned my first guitar chords and at age of 13 I began formal piano lessons. At age of 17  I wrote my first songs and lyrics – and by the age of 19 I had launched my own music business, which later turned into the field of web design. By 20 I had released my first record, and to this day I continue to write and produce music in my leisure time.

There Is Always More To Learn

While my love of music will never die, I continued to explore my creative aspirations by venturing into computer programming, website design, writing, and poetry. At age 27 I graduated as electronics technician and based on that I also studied computer programming and systems theory.

After spending years in the technology industry, working alongside firms such as Nyherji as an IBM Desktop Technician, I shifted gears a bit, and began to hone my skills for web design. My move to web design led to the great pleasure of working as the webmaster for The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service (RUV).

The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service (RUV).

In 2004, I decided to take advantage of the freedom and flexibility offered by the Internet, and began working for myself full time. Since then, my professional focus has been centered around building my online company, creative writing, and further exploring my love of music.

Creative Writing And Children‘s Books

I am a member of The Writers’ Union of Iceland and STEF (The Performing Right Society of Iceland).  To date I have published 6 children’s book in the Perky Pranksters series and one app, have designed hundreds of websites, and continue to write and produce music.

The Perky Pranksters project has been awarded grants from recognised sources, e.g. The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture’s Fund for the Development of Educational Material.

How Publishing Improved My Online Success

I have gained much insight by pursuing my passions, both personally and professionally. My commitment to ongoing learning left me wanting to create a faster and easier way for others to achieve the same goals, that for me required many years of obtaining expensive specialty degrees and certifications. This is why I decided to create and publish my own information products.

Information products are written guides, audio recordings, or digital video recordings that detail how to achieve specific goals. They eliminate the need for courses that cover an array of topics, when all you need is to learn something specific. Information products not only save you time, but are more cost-effective than signing up for a class or seminar.

I launched my first information product in June of 2015, called The Traffic Blueprint, and I currently have dozens of other projects in progress.

The Freedom In Bringing Your Ideas To Life

Yes, it is wonderful when inspiration strikes, but it is even more fulfilling to bring that same idea to life! In fact, I have found that this is often the missing piece of the puzzle for those searching for true happiness. At least it was for me.

Yes, we all have obligations to work, family, and friends – and sometimes this leaves us putting ourselves on the back burner. By launching my own business, I have found a meaningful way to support myself by doing what I love. I also have full creative freedom, and the flexibility to prioritize my schedule and design my life around what matters most to me – which for me is my family.

Don’t Allow Uncountable Circumstances Define Your Life

While the circumstances I was born into were out of my control, I found my passion for art – and more importantly my passion for life. I am now a happily married mother of 5, and my family brings unsurmountable joy to my life!

The Internet allows me to share my passion for art, self-improvement, and all of my other entrepreneurial aspirations with the world. I live in Iceland, and look forward to hearing from website visitors near and far. Please let me know if you have any questions about anything you find on my website. I add new blog posts and information each and every week.

Whether you found your way to my website in a random web search, or are a returning visitor – I welcome you to my website!

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