Time is running out to migrate your website from HTTP to HTTPS
Over the past few years, Google has single-handedly ushered in the era of a secure web through a steady drum-beat of recommendations that website operators publish secure (HTTPS as opposed to HTTP) websites. The search giant has also dangled the incentive of a rankings boost for secure sites that use HTTPS to help motivate this change.
In just a few short weeks, Google takes its most definitive step with the release of a new Chrome web browser that will identify non-HTTPS sites as being “Not Secure.” This prominent security warning will be displayed in the browser’s URL bar. If your website is not secure, this messaging could damage the first impression that customers have of your website and business. It would also most certainly have an impact on your site traffic given that a security warning would undoubtedly introduce hesitation and uncertainty with your site visitors.
My website is not secure. What do I do now?
The first step is to purchase a SSL certificate. These are generally sold by webhosting providers and domain registrars, but there are also a number of third-party SSL certificate vendors. Once a SSL certificate is installed on your server, a secure connection between your visitors’ browsers and your web server can be established.
Following the SSL certificate install, the most challenging taks will be the migration of your site from HTTP to HTTPS. Depending on the complexity of your website and the type of content management system your site is built upon, migrating to HTTPS could be a substantial undertaking as outlined in Search Engine Land’s, HTTP to HTTPS: An SEO’s guide to securing a website.
If you don’t have the in-house capability to handle a migration to HTTPS, Crescent Leaf Technologies can assist you. Contact us today.
In conclusion…
Given that Google is the largest search engine, in addition to Google’s Chrome being the most widely used browser, Google is calling the shots. A migration to a secure (HTTPS) website is now an absolute necessity – even if your site does not have eCommerce functionality. Insecure websites will experience lower traffic flow and may also suffer from a negative impact in search engine rankings. To avoid this scenario, it’s imperative that you act immediately to secure your website.