What is HTTPS?
HTTPS is a protocol for secure communication on the internet. HTTPS signals a browser to use an added encryption layer to protect the traffic on a website.
In basic terms, it encrypts any data which you input into a website to protect your identity and information.
In the past HTTPS has been primarily used for any financial transactions on the web.
How do I know if a Website uses HTTPS?
In your browser, the website address bar will start with HTTPS and/or be in green writing and there is a little locked padlock symbol at the beginning,
see the below screenshot
Does HTTPS help SEO?
In August 2014, Google announced that HTTPS is now a minor
ranking factor. Google would like all websites to adopt HTTPS to try and make the internet safer. Although the SEO impact of having HTTPS
was minor (about other factors for example good quality content) when Google rolled out their first algorithm update,
they indicated that the impact will increase in the future and it may become a more important ranking factor.
Currently, in Google Analytics traffic which passes from HTTPS to HTTP gets 'dumped' into direct traffic, this means that your referring data doesn't capture
all referrals. However, if you receive a referral from an HTTPS site and your site is HTTPS the referrer details are retained.
So, in a nutshell, yes HTTPS will help your SEO.
Does HTTPS help your customers and conversions?
In Great Britain alone the internet is accessed by 39.3 million adults per day, with 96% accessing the internet from mobile devices. 76% of adults bought
goods or services online and 61% of adults use Social Media. 86% of all GB households have access to the internet (source: https://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/dcp171778_412758.pdf)
As internet usage grows so has awareness of your internet security. Customers need to trust your brand, and a good way to show trust is by showing
you are taking their security seriously. If a customer doesn't trust your website/brand you lose them and they will not return.
I believe that the in future internet users will be more aware of their security and will not input data unless the website is secure. I for one already
adopted that process.
Should you change your website to HTTPS?
HTTPS is good for Google and good for customers, so the obvious answer is yes.
However, there are reasons why everyone hasn't adopted HTTPS yet. Some technologies aren't ready for HTTPS, so it could mean websites need to be built
on a new platform. HTTPS could potentially slow down your site, so you need to have a fast site, as speed is a ranking factor. You need to have an
HTTPS migration strategy to ensure that all rankings and SEO history are preserved. The cost involved could also put off some potential small companies
from leaping.
It's not something to be taken lightly, it is worth discussing with your SEO team and working out all the pros and cons. It could be that the best time
to do it would be when you have a new website built. Alternatively, with a strong strategy, you could do it straight away.
