Website Security: What Small Business Owners Need to Know

Website security isn’t sexy, but ignoring it can destroy your business overnight.

In the last year, 43% of cyber attacks targeted small businesses. The average cost of a data breach for a small business? $200,000. Most never recover.

You don’t need to be a technical expert to protect your website. You just need to handle the basics:

1. Use HTTPS
   This encrypts data between your site and visitors. In 2024, having a site without HTTPS is like having a store without locks.
2. Keep software updated
   Outdated WordPress, plugins, or themes are the most common entry points for hackers.
3. Use strong passwords
   “password123” isn’t cutting it. Use a password manager to create and store complex passwords.
4. Implement two-factor authentication
   This additional layer of security makes breaches much harder.
5. Back up your site regularly
   If the worst happens, you can restore quickly instead of starting from scratch.

Most small business owners think, “Hackers won’t target me—I’m too small.” This is dangerously wrong. Hackers use automated tools that scan for vulnerable sites regardless of size.

Website security isn’t just about preventing hackers. It’s about maintaining customer trust. Once that’s lost, it’s nearly impossible to regain.

Don’t wait for a breach to take security seriously. The cheapest security is the kind you implement before there’s a problem.