6 Reasons Why You Should Switch from HTTP to HTTPS Today

HTTPS (Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol) represents the secure version of HTTP, the protocol over which data is sent between your browser and the website that you are connected to. While HTTPS has been around for years, it became a critical web standard post-2014 when Google started using it as a ranking signal. If you're still running your website on HTTP, here are six compelling reasons to switch to HTTPS.

1. Improved Search Engine Ranking

Google has confirmed that HTTPS is used as a ranking factor in its search algorithms. Websites using HTTPS are generally perceived as trustworthy by search engines, leading to potentially higher rankings compared to non-secure sites. Transitioning to HTTPS is not only about security but also about maximizing your SEO efforts to gain visibility in organic search results.

2. Enhanced Security with Triple Layer Protection

HTTPS provides a robust three-layer security for your website: Encryption: Ensuring that the data exchanged between visitors and your site is secure and cannot be intercepted. Data Integrity: Data cannot be altered or corrupted during transfer, intentionally or otherwise, without being detected. Authentication: Proves that your users communicate with the intended website which protects against man-in-the-middle attacks.

3. Avoid Negative Security

Warnings Modern browsers like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox alert users when they access non-HTTPS websites, often labeling them as ‘Not Secure’. This can significantly deter visitors, reducing traffic and impacting the credibility of your site. Switching to HTTPS helps avoid these warnings, thus maintaining user trust and site visits.

4. Secure Referral Data and Enhanced Link Building

HTTPS sites secure the referrer data that is passed along to other sites. This secure data transmission ensures that direct traffic sources are reliably identified, which can improve analytics and SEO strategies. Additionally, other reputable sites are more likely to link to secure sites, aiding in effective link-building efforts.

5. Reduction in Unnecessary Redirects

Using HTTPS can simplify your website’s URL structure by eliminating the need for redirects from HTTP to HTTPS, which is common when both versions are initially available. When a site is available over both HTTP and HTTPS, it typically requires a setup where users trying to access the HTTP version are redirected to the HTTPS version. This redirect process can slow down the page loading time because each redirect requires additional HTTP requests and responses. By fully migrating to HTTPS and enforcing it as the default protocol, you eliminate these initial redirects, streamlining access to your site. This not only speeds up the loading process but also enhances the user experience by reducing wait times and potential redirect loops, thus providing a smoother, more efficient browsing experience.

6. Boost in Page Load Speed

Migrating to HTTPS can also speed up the loading times of your website pages, particularly with HTTP/2. This newer version of the HTTP protocol, which requires HTTPS due to browser support, is optimized for faster data transfer and improved website performance.

Implementing HTTPS: Simplicity and Cost

Switching to HTTPS is relatively straightforward. Most hosting services offer SSL/TLS certificates as part of their packages, often free of charge through partners like Let's Encrypt. The installation process typically involves a simple activation in your hosting control panel. For more complex sites, or if you handle sensitive information, you might consider purchasing a dedicated SSL certificate, which can cost anywhere from $50 to hundreds of dollars per year depending on the level of security required. Websites like SSL Shopper or Digicert offer additional information and the ability to purchase certificates suited to various needs.

Conclusion

With these benefits and the minimal cost of migration, moving to HTTPS is a strategic decision for any website. Professional web developers can seamlessly transition your site to a secure HTTPS protocol, enhancing both user trust and site performance. Today, making this switch is essential not only for security but also for maintaining a competitive edge online.