What is SSL? Why Every Website Needs an SSL Certificate

Posted by

On August 19, 2022

What Is SSL? A Simple Guide to Website Security

If you’ve ever noticed the letter “s” in a website URL—like https://yourbrand.ir —that small addition means big security. This “s” stands for SSL , short for Secure Sockets Layer , which ensures that all data exchanged between a user and a website remains private and secure .

At ITUNIFY , we implement SSL across all our websites—not just for security, but also for:

User trust (displaying the green padlock icon).
Google rankings (HTTPS is a known ranking factor).
e-Namad certification compliance (required for Iranian e-commerce stores).

Let’s break down what SSL is and why it matters for your business.

Cooperation Request

What Does SSL Mean?

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a security protocol that creates an encrypted connection between a web server and a browser. This encryption ensures that sensitive information like:

Credit card details
Passwords
Personal data
Order forms

…is transferred securely and cannot be intercepted by hackers . Without SSL, this data can be vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks , where third parties snoop or alter communications without users knowing.

Why SSL Matters for Your Website

Security for Online Transactions
- If your site accepts payments via ZarinPal, Mellat, or any other gateway, SSL is non-negotiable.
- Example: An automotive parts store must protect customer payment info when selling brake pads online.
Trust & Credibility
- Users avoid unsecured sites. The green padlock and “This site is secure” badge reassure visitors they’re safe to proceed.
  Fact : 70% of users leave sites without HTTPS (Baymard Institute).
Better Google Rankings
- Google ranks secure sites higher. It treats SSL as a trust signal , giving preference to HTTPS-enabled URLs in search results.
Compliance with E-Namad Certification
- To get the E-Namad seal from Iran’s Center for Electronic Commerce Development, you must have a valid SSL certificate.
Faster Performance (via HTTPS/2)
- Contrary to popular belief, SSL doesn’t slow down your site. In fact, modern SSL implementations (especially those using HTTP/2) often increase load speed compared to insecure sites.

How SSL Works – Explained Simply

When you visit a site with SSL:

Your browser checks the site’s SSL certificate (issued by a trusted authority).
It establishes an encrypted link with the server.
All communication—whether typing login credentials or entering credit card info—is scrambled so only the intended recipient can read it.

Without SSL:

Hackers can intercept your data.
User confidence drops.
Google marks your site as “Not Secure” .

How to Tell if a Site Has SSL

Look for these indicators in the address bar:

🔒 A padlock icon next to the domain name.
“https://” instead of “http://” at the beginning of the URL.
Optional: Green address bar (for Extended Validation certificates—less common today).

You can also use tools like SSL Labs’ SSL Test or WhoIsSSL.com to verify certificate validity and type.

Types of SSL Certificates We Recommend

Certificate Type	Best For
DV (Domain Validated)	Small businesses, blogs, landing pages. Fast setup, basic trust.
OV (Organization Validated)	Medium-sized companies needing identity verification.
EV (Extended Validation)	E-commerce stores, financial services, government portals. Green bar + high credibility.

We recommend Cloudflare Free SSL for local Iranian businesses, or paid EV/OV certificates for commercial platforms handling sensitive data.

Example: Automotive Parts Store in Sabzevar

Scenario : A car parts store wants to build trust and rank better on Google.
Implementation :

Install a DV SSL certificate via Cloudflare.
Enforce HTTPS across all pages.
Display ZarinPal trust badges and e-Namad logo on checkout page.

Result :

30% fewer cart abandonments due to increased trust.
Higher visibility for keywords like “buy genuine brake pads Iran” .

Why ITUNIFY Recommends SSL for Every Business

With 5 years of experience and 400+ successful projects , ITUNIFY ensures your SSL implementation:

Meets all Iranian e-Namad requirements .
Integrates smoothly with WordPress , WooCommerce , and custom-built platforms .
Improves SEO performance and reduces bounce rate.
Protects both you and your customers from cyber threats.

We help clients choose the right SSL provider (Let’s Encrypt, Comodo, DigiCert) and ensure their site is always secure and up-to-date.

Get Started with ITUNIFY Today

Ready to secure your website and boost conversions?
✅ Request a free consultation
✅ Explore our portfolio
✅ Get a custom quote

Contact Us :
📧 info@itunify.ir
📱 WhatsApp: +98 912 4905798
📍 Asman Building, Mottahari St., Sabzevar, Iran

Blog