Today, website security & trustworthiness are a key part of the overall search engine rankings. In fact, Google itself has made HTTPS a vital ranking signal, ensuring businesses and site owners must consider the switch. But what is HTTPS, and why is it important to SEO?
In this guide, we’ll cover the significance of HTTPS and how it improves your website’s security, performance, and rankings.
HTTP: Hypertext Transfer Protocol is the inception for transferring data over the web. HTTPS: Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure is an encrypted version of HTTP. It encrypts the data transfer over SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security) between a website and its visitors. HTTPS also helps protect your sensitive information, like login credentials, payment information, and personal correspondence from cybercriminals.
Key Features of HTTPS:
✔ Encryption: Data is encrypted, so it cannot be intercepted by a hacker.
✔ Data Integrity: Ensures that data cannot be modified while in transit.
✔ Authentication: Verifies the legitimacy and ownership of the website
Now, Google has stated explicitly that HTTPS is a ranking factor. Here’s how HTTPS affects SEO:
2.1 Improved Search Rankings
✔ Google ranks HTTPS sites above non-secure sites.
✔ Better visibility & higher CTR for Secure sites.
2.2 Enhanced User Trust and Credibility
✔ People tend to linger on a secure site.
✔ Non-HTTPS sites are warned in browsers like Chrome, impacting user trust.
2.3 Improved Website Speed
✔ HTTPS website can use HTTP/2 which is optimizes loading times.
✔ Another ranking factor that HTTPS improves upon is page speed.
2.4 Preventing Cyber Security Attacks
✔ HTTPS protects websites from data breaches and phishing attacks.
✔ Customer data cannot be exposed, improving overall user experience.
Making the transition to HTTPS is a process that involves certain fundamental things to consider to make the change seamlessly, without the risk of altering positions on search engines.
3.1 Buy the SSL Certificate
✔ What is an SSL certificate? What is its purpose?
✔ For basic needs, use free options like Let’s Encrypt.
3.2 Installation of the SSL certificate
✔ Set up the certificate on your website hosting server.
✔ Verify the SSL installation to ensure encryption is secure.
3.3 Update Website URL
✔ Update all internal links from HTTP to HTTPS.
✔ Where applicable, update external links to reflect HTTPS.
✔ Use HTTPS for media files (determine if they are preloaded by server).
3.4 Set Up 301 Redirects
✔ Redirect any page without HTTPS to its HTTPS version, to avoid duplicate content issues.
✔ Update sitemap and robots. txt to reflect HTTPS URLs.
3.5 Check and Update Google Search Console & Analytics
✔ Include your HTTPS site in Google Search Console.
✔ Adjust Google Analytics settings to reflect HTTPS traffic
✔ Re-submit your changed sitemap for indexation.
Common HTTPS Implementation Mistakes to Avoid
✔ Failing to redirect HTTP URLs to HTTPS.
✔ Most common cryptography misconfigurations in use.
✔ Not updating internal and external links.
✔ Not watching out for mixed content (loading both joss, cuss files http and https).
✔ Forgetting to resubmit sitemaps to Google Search Console.
Does having HTTPS mean better rankings?
Although HTTPS is a ranking factor, it only makes sense to implement one of many other SEO tactics surrounding quality content, fast loading speed, and mobile optimization.
How to move to HTTPS without losing rankings?
Yes, ranking fluctuations can be minimized by implementing 301 redirects appropriately and updating all URLs accordingly.
Do all websites need an SSL certificate?
Yes, if your site collects user data, processes payments or needs logins.
What is HTTPS and how to check if my website has HTTPS?
Search for a padlock symbol in the browser’s address bar, or look for “https://” in your Website URL.
Will the Traffic Stop if I don’t Migrate to HTTPS?
Your website may show security alerts and reduce trust down, ranking and traffic.
Transitioning to HTTPS makes your site secure, and this is no longer an option but a must to maintain ranking, trust, and secure your site. Applying HTTPS properly, and avoiding common pitfalls, will serve to make your site perform better and keep visitor data safe. Switch over now to keep yourself ahead in the global environment!
