Sure, it looks like a lot of hassle launching an HTTPS website, but in terms of SEO, positive perception, and above all security, the cost and effort is more than worth it in the end. Why?
Due to the simple reason that it will make your online visitors less prone to cyber attacks.
Web sites that that are on HTTP are vulnerable to cyber attacks. There is an increased likelihood that the confidential information that users enter into their browser can get stolen by the cyber criminals.
But, what is HTTP and HTTPS anyway?
The two terms HTTP and HTTPS specify a procedure for transfer of information between the client and the server. The client refers to the online user that visits the site using a website browser and an internet connected device, while the server is the PC on which is hosted the website.
HTTP is an acronym for HyperText Transfer Protocol, while the HTTPS stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure.
The website that uses HTTPS are more secure because the computers that talk to each other must agree on a specific code before the transfer process begins between them. Afterward, the message is encoded or scrambled using a particular encoding code. This prevents any third party from accessing the information that is transferred between the client and the server.
In simple words, having your site on HTTPS makes confidential information of the users inaccessible by the hackers. The online encryption provides many perks such as protection against identity theft, greater integrity, and improved online reputation.
A Case of Trust – HTTP Vs. HTTPS
The website that uses HTTPS protocol greatly reduces the chance of online threats. Client’s information remains protected from hackers who may steal the information to conduct identity fraud. The cyber criminals also cannot access credit card information of the users that helps in ensuring the integrity and increasing customer trust and reputation.
Fundamentally, HTTPS ensures the protection of identity and privacy of confidential data. A site that uses the secure transfer protocol can be identified by a lock icon on the browser. The lock icon can either be beside the website address (as in Chrome and Firefox) or indicated in the status bar at the bottom (in Internet Explorer).
Win Approval of Google
What’s even more surprising is that Google endorses rather recommends having the site on HTTPS. They reward websites that use HTTPS by improving their search engine rank. So, switching your site to HTTPS can also help gain the trust of the search engine giant, which will help funnel a large number of online traffic towards your site. That said, you must not forget to focus on other rank signals such as optimized keywords, link building and other SEO tactics.
On a final note, HTTPS can make a big impact in terms of increasing the security of the website. If you want to gain the trust of the online users, as well as the search engines, you must convert your site to HTTPS!
Team CometChat
