Modern websites tend to be SSL secured (HTTPS) as it provides an extra security layer.
Google now warns visitors to a website that it may not be secure which is a disincentive for potential visitors to click through to a website – which results in lost business.
In 2014, Google announced that an HTTPS (vs HTTP) website would receive an extra SEO boost in their ranking.
Switching website to HTTPS
When switching to HTTPS, make sure your site remains optimised and see to it that your website will still run quickly. Speed is a also a ranking factor so it is important that changing your website over does not slow it down.
Best Practices for moving website to HTTPS
- Use a Professional issuer to purchase your SSL certificate
- Redirect all of your HTTP pages to the HTTPS equivalent pages of your website
- Use HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) in your headers
- Until recently, renewing your SSL certificate every year, before it expires, was considered best practice. It is now recommended that SSL certificates are registered for shorter periods and more frequently – offering tighter security.
- Make sure that all of your content (CSS, etc.) is linked to HTTPS
- Update your XML sitemap to ensure the URLs include HTTPS and update the robots.txt file to reference this version.
- Register the HTTPS website in Google & Bing Search Console/Webmaster Tools
- Use the HTTPS version of your website in all links to your website (e,g, Social Media)
If you have any questions regarding your website, SSL Certificates and website security do not hesitate to get in touch.