Are you aware that your practice’s site is going to see changes as soon as this next month? Google has started a new initiative around SSL and TLS technology, that protects users from unsecured websites.
This means that unless you see a “lock” symbol next to your domain name in the browser bar, your practice may be losing a lot of potential patients . . .
First, what are SSL and TLS?
Simply, these are two different security protocols that encrypt the connection between your browser and the website you’re visiting. This way, people are unable to intercept your personal data, as long as you’re on a secured website.
An example of the “secured” icon indicating SSL or TLS on the filmMED.com website.
An example of how a site that isn’t secure shows up.
Online security is an ever-growing concern, and it is at the point now where the subject is a staple in mainstream media.
From the alleged 2016 election tampering to the recent Facebook data breach, cyber attacks and data leaks are becoming the norm. It is one of the main reasons why money-safe technologies, such as cryptocurrencies, have picked up so much steam in recent years.
People just want to be safe online.
And being safe when they visit their doctors or potential doctors website is no exception. Besides the risk of your own personal information being stolen, there are two reasons why online security affects your practice in a big, big way.
An Unsafe Site Hurts Your SEO
That’s right. Google, in a concerted effort to keep the Internet safe, has already begun to down-rank sites that aren’t secured via SSL and/or TLS technology.
If you have any aspirations of your practice’s site ranking in search engines, know that your chances of doing so without a secure site that uses SSL or TLS are zero.
Customers Don’t Trust Unsecured Sites. Soon Browsers Won’t Either.
Don’t think that neglecting to secure your site is only going to only result in poor SEO.
Customers are more cautious than ever; and if there is any risk of their information being stolen – whether personal, financial, or otherwise – your practice is bound to lose business. Worse yet, your practice could damage its reputation or get involved in unnecessary legal trouble.
In fact, this is such a hot topic that Google has announced new security changes in it’s upcoming July release of the Google Chrome web browser. Chrome is currently the most popular web browser among Internet users. This means that the chances of a potential or current patient visiting your site while using Chrome are extremely high.
When the July update is released, Google Chrome will notify users every time they visit a website without an SSL certificate, letting them know it is unsafe and to use extreme caution or to just flat stop using that page!
This means that your practice’s site could take a massive hit in visitor traffic as early as this next month!
Of course, you want your site to rank high on Google, and you also want your customers to trust you.
How to Secure Your Site and Protect Your Patients
So, what’s the obvious solution? Well, invest in website security and work with a team that understands it.
At filmMED, security is one of our biggest priorities when developing sites for our clients. Particularly if you do or want to provide online payment methods, site security is of the highest importance – and we know that.
That’s why every single website we build is secured at every stage of development, even before we launch it in our testing phase, to prevent any breaches of privacy or data.
Are you afraid that your site might not be fully secure? Are you wary of the possibility that your patients’ information could be compromised? Maybe you’re reading this after the July date and you’ve received warnings when visiting your site.
Contact us today, and we will ensure that your practice’s site is completely safe and secure moving forward.
Online security is not an area to be neglected. Don’t wait – take action today!
