Cybersecurity is becoming more essential as reliance on the Internet increases. One common update is the adoption of Hypertext Protocol Secure (HTTPS), a more secure version of HTTP that protects users by encrypting communication with the web server.
HTTPS relies on an interplay with SSL and SEO. You must acquire, install, and activate an SSL certificate to update to HTTPS. Adopting the technology will help with SEO.
Read on to learn what HTTPS encryption is and how to integrate it into your technology.
Understanding HTTPS and Its Importance
Let’s begin by comparing HTTP and HTTPS. Unlike HTTP, HTTPS encrypts communications between the user and the server. It differs from HTTP, which sends this information in plain text, making it vulnerable to malicious actors.
To upgrade to HTTPS, you must obtain, install, and activate your SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate. An SSL/TLS certificate safeguards your data and provides the encryption needed to make your website secure.
HTTPS is essential in protecting websites and user data. It will make customers feel more confident using your website as well as protect you from threats that can cause reputational damage and a loss of business.
HTTPS as a Ranking Factor in SEO
SEO and HTTPS have an important relationship. Secure websites often rank better than non-secure websites in search engine rankings. Google has publicly stated that it now recognizes HTTPS as a ranking signal.
HTTPS and SEO Google work well together. The search engine algorithm will prioritize encrypted sites in indexing and crawling practices. As a result, these sites are more likely to be discovered on search engine pages.
Link Assistant provides a case study for SEO based on their HTTPS migration. The company prepared for HTTPS adaption by updating its content to fix issues such as broken links and lack of keywords. They also added tags and keywords.
Once the transformation was complete, they found that organic traffic increased slightly while keyword searches were volatile, with mostly improved results.
SSL and HTTPS as a Ranking Factor in SEO
There is also a strong relationship between Google SEO and SSL. An SSL certificate is necessary for HTTPS encryption, and it is key to increasing search engine rankings and making users feel more secure.
You can get a free SSL certificate from your website host and other third-party services. You must install the certificate on your website server and activate it. The process will vary depending on your host, but it’s fairly straightforward.
The User Trust Factor
HTTPS encryption offers several user benefits. It shields personal information such as credit card information, social security numbers, and passwords. It also prevents unauthorized access to browsing activities like pages visited and search queries.
When users see a page load with ‘HTTPS’ in front of it, they feel more confident using that page. They will trust your company over competitors with HTTP and will be more likely to engage with and purchase from your company.
Best practices for HTTPS adoption include fixing issues like content errors, incorrect redirects, and slow page load times. This will improve the user experience.
Ready to get started with HTTPS and SSL?
HTTPS and SSL improve the digital landscape by making users feel more secure using your website, boosting trust and conversion. They improve search engine rankings to increase online visibility.
Adapting to HTTPS can be challenging. It requires a review of your existing website to ensure an effective transformation and technical knowledge. The professionals at Brillity Digital are ready to help.
Brillity Digital is a trusted provider of digital marketing services. We can assist with HTTPS transformation, email marketing, SEO, PPC, conversion rate optimization, web design and development, and social media. We will help you maximize your marketing efforts.
Contact us to schedule a consultation today.
