What is it?
Whenever you see a website’s URL that starts with HTTPS, it means the website is secured by an SSL encryption/certificate and it’s safe to transfer sensitive information (e.g. credit card number, bank information, etc.) using the website.
By installing an SSL certificate on your website, you show visitors that your website is verified and data sent across the site uses a secure connection to, for example, prevent hackers from intercepting it.
Up until this point, there has never been a need for websites to install an SSL if they don’t exchange sensitive information (e.g. blogs and business websites, where no transaction is made).
Typically, you would only see an SSL certificate among online stores, banks, and other websites where sensitive data is transferred, but now Google has officially listed SSL as a ranking factor… what does it mean for businesses?
Your website’s Google ranking
Google let us know they’d be introducing the change back in 2014 to make the internet ‘safer’.
“We’d like to encourage all website owners to switch from HTTP to HTTPS to keep everyone safe on the web…so we’re starting to use HTTPS as a ranking signal.”
Check out the article for tips and tools that Google has provided – it helps webmasters avoid common mistakes and makes adoption easier.
Installing a SSL certificate will improve the search rankings of your website and signals to your customers that your website is secure and trustworthy to use.
Not sure where to start? Start a conversation with SMP today.
