When you visit a website, do you see a padlock icon on the browser's address bar? That’s one of the first signs that a website is safe to visit. That padlock is a security feature that authenticates websites and ensures that the data that users submit to that site is protected.

Most modern businesses build and maintain their own website to reach more customers. It’s good to have an online presence, but know that your competitors are also doing their best to optimize their websites for better brand awareness and profitability.