Why Your Site Needs HTTPS: Better Safe Than Sorry

If you are wondering why your site needs HTTPS, you’ve come to the right place. Here, you’ll learn why you need to use it and how you can get started. Having been in the web business for almost 20 years, I can confidently say that HTTPS is the gold standard in online security.

HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is a protocol used to secure communication over the internet. It is an extension of the HTTP protocol, which is the primary protocol used for transferring data on the World Wide Web.

Why is HTTPS important?

There are several reasons why HTTPS is important:

1. Security: HTTPS uses encryption to secure the communication between your computer and the website you are visiting. This helps protect against attacks that could intercept or alter the data being transmitted, such as man-in-the-middle attacks or packet sniffing.
2. Privacy: HTTPS helps protect your privacy by encrypting the data being transmitted, so that it cannot be easily intercepted or accessed by third parties.
3. Trust: Websites that use HTTPS provide a higher level of trust, as it shows that they are taking steps to secure their site and protect their users’ data.
4. Google ranking: Google has indicated that HTTPS is a ranking signal, which means that using HTTPS may help improve a website’s search engine ranking.

Overall, HTTPS is important because it helps protect the security and privacy of your online communication and can help build trust with users and improve a website’s search engine ranking.

HTTPS is a network protocol used in the World Wide Web. It is responsible for encrypting data between the user’s browser and the website they are visiting. It also protects sensitive information, such as credit card numbers and banking details.

Using HTTPS is important for businesses, especially those that handle personal information. Not only does it keep customers’ information safe, it prevents attackers from stealing it. For example, if your website handles credit card auto-fills, using HTTPS is critical.

In addition to protecting users’ information, it also improves search engine rankings. Search engines will give you a slight boost if you have a secure site.

Google, in particular, has prioritized security for some time. It is also pushing websites to use HTTPS for better security. This is because Google wants to make sure that its users are not exchanging personally identifiable information (PII) with unsecured channels.

When a customer visits a website that does not use HTTPS, they are at risk of experiencing a poor user experience. This can lead to them leaving the page. It can also hurt your brand image.

To ensure that your site uses HTTPS, use a certificate. You can get a free certificate from Let’s Encrypt, a non-profit certificate authority. You can also use a web browser extension, such as HTTPS Everywhere, that creates an encrypted connection between your website and your users’ browsers.

All premium website builders and the best web hosting companies offer SSL certificates along with their services.

SEO

Google has indicated that HTTPS is a ranking signal, which means that using HTTPS may help improve a website’s search engine ranking. This is because HTTPS helps protect the security and privacy of a website’s users, and can build trust with users and search engines.

In general, implementing HTTPS can have a positive impact on a website’s SEO in the following ways:

1. Improved search engine ranking: As mentioned, HTTPS is a ranking signal and can help improve a website’s search engine ranking.
2. Increased website traffic: HTTPS can help increase website traffic by improving the website’s search engine ranking and by making users feel more secure when visiting the site.
3. Enhanced user experience: HTTPS can help improve the user experience by ensuring that the website is secure and private. This can lead to increased engagement and longer sessions on the website.

Overall, while HTTPS is just one of many factors that can affect a website’s SEO, it is an important factor to consider when optimizing a website for search engines.

Customrs Trust

HTTPS helps protect the security and privacy of a website’s users by encrypting the data being transmitted. This can help build trust with customers, as it shows that the website is taking steps to secure their site and protect their users’ data.

In addition to the security benefits of HTTPS, having a secure website can also improve customer trust in other ways. For example, customers may be more likely to enter sensitive information (such as their credit card details) on a website that is secured with HTTPS, as they can trust that their information will be encrypted and protected.

Overall, HTTPS is an important factor in building customer trust, as it helps protect the security and privacy of a website’s users and can improve the overall user experience.

Website builders and HTTPS

It’s important to note, however, that the SSL Certificate may be tied to the specific pricing tier you select. SSL certificates are included at no extra cost with Wix, Squarespace and  Site123.

Check if SSL Certificate is included in the website builder pricing before you make a choice. Also, keep in mind that most website builders and hosting providers use free SSL certificates, which should automatically renew every month.

Most of the time, this happens automatically, but there are rare cases when the certificate renews, and the website can go down. THis is one of the reasons I use uptime monitoring services which notify you immediately in case your website goes down.

Website builders are useful tools to help you build and manage a website. They usually have features that make creating a website a breeze. Some of these features include web hosting, domain names, and the option to create a blog.

When choosing a website builder, consider your specific needs. Some platforms may be more compatible with other platforms, while others offer more robust media capabilities. A website builder should have tools that allow you to easily customize your site and track important metrics. These tools can save you a lot of time.

You may have to invest a little more money to find a website builder that has a lot of feature depth. These platforms can solve a lot of different problems. However, if you don’t need a lot of features, you can usually find a website builder that costs less.

If you need ecommerce functions, you may want to choose a website builder that offers shopping carts and payment processing. These tools can help your online store stay in business.

You can also choose a platform that allows you to create a mobile-friendly website in several languages. If you need more customization, you can hire a professional developer or take advantage of a free trial.

Some website builders include a free SSL certificate. This encrypts sensitive information, making it virtually impossible for hackers to steal it. HTTPS is especially important for ecommerce websites.

Ecommerce platforms and HTTPS

Ecommerce platforms help businesses sell and manage products and services. Whether you are a small business or a large enterprise, it is important to choose the right platform. The best eCommerce platform is flexible, scalable, and responsive.

The eCommerce market is booming. By 2022, it is projected that global e-commerce revenues will have risen to $5.7 trillion, demonstrating the increasing profitability of this channel for companies.. With that much competition, you need to make sure you have a platform that can meet the needs of your customers and help you deliver a great experience.

You should choose an ecommerce platform that can keep up with digital touchpoints, including social media and online marketplaces. You also need to provide users with an easy-to-navigate, responsive website. A well-designed experience will convert browsers into buyers.

You should also choose an eCommerce platform that allows you to customize the user experience. The best platforms have a wide range of features, including product ratings, reviews, and integrated marketing.

Why your site needs HTTPS: Conclusion

Adding HTTPS to your website makes it safer and easier for visitors to interact with you. It also improves SEO.

HTTPS is a secure version of the Hypertext Transfer Protocol that transfers data between a web server and a browser. It protects your users from malicious actors who can intercept your data in transit. And it also builds trust.

HTTPS is like having a highly protected credit card reader. It’s not foolproof, though. Some web pages load over the secure version of HTTP, weakening their security. Thankfully, there are other methods to enable HTTPS on your site.

For the best protection, you should implement a secure web protocol known as SSL/TLS across your entire site. This should include any third-party services your website requires.

If you do not have a site that is secure, you could be exposing your customers to malware and hackers. Additionally, your visitors might disclose confidential information to your employees, such as their health conditions. These breaches can lead to financial loss. And you don’t want that to happen.

If you are considering switching to HTTPS, make sure to do a little research and learn about the process. A professional can help you implement the new protocol and verify its legitimacy. You can even track your migration with tools such as Google Webmaster Tools and other analytics software.

The latest and greatest features of today’s browsers are built on HTTPS. They include new compression techniques, service workers, notifications, and more. You can even install AMP content to provide a better mobile experience for your visitors. And while you’re at it, you can opt to use an AMP-compatible CMS such as WordPress or PrestaShop. AMP content is featured on Google’s search results, which can have an enormous effect on your rankings.