For sure, you have repeatedly paid attention that some websites begin with “http://” and others begin with “https://” with neighboring green padlock. Thus, you have seen the end result of the SSL certificate. 

So, what is HTTPS over SSL and why it's so important? Let us get all this straightened out.


HTTP vs. HTTPS 

No matter whether you're website user or running/launching your own website — online experience is to involve a trusted third party and secure encryption.   

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) and HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) are both protocols for passing information between users's browser and your web server. The principal difference is that HTTPS is a secure connection, whilst HTTP is not.

Standard not secured HTTP connection enables unauthorized third-parties to snoop on traffic of all kinds passing between your web server and your visitor’s browser. Needless to say, this is a serious issue if your visitor is passing sensitive information (credit card numbers, etc).

HTTPS is an internet communication protocol that protects the integrity and confidentiality of data between the user's computer and the site.  HTTPS is usually used to make e-commerce transactions secure, such as online banking and shopping. When a visitor connects to a website with HTTPS, the site encrypts the session with SSL Certificate.  

Generally speaking, SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) sets up an encrypted link between visitor’s web browser and your web server. As a result, all data passing between the two remain secure and private.

In short: In every sense, HTTPS is almost the very same HTTP, but it's the secure version. HTTP is unsecure connection, and user should never provide sensitive information to such website. HTTPS is becoming the major web standard currently.

Users reckon a private and secure online experience while using a website, therefore Google is taking measures to ensure users are getting such an experience and thus penalizes HTTP connections.

Formerly, the only eCommerce webmasters had to worry about SSL. But the tables have turned in late 2014 with Google officially announced a call for HTTPS to be used by every website on the web and SSL became a ranking signal. 

Sure enough, sites with SSL certificates get a boost in the SERPs. Probably, it wouldn't be a significant boost, but nevertheless, every boost in search ranking matters.

But Google is going further. Since January 2017, Google has begun displaying the security of the connection in the address bar of Chrome version 56 . This was the beginning of a long-term plan to mark all HTTP pages non-secure. 

Some critical changes coming from Google could impact on your website in a negative way unless you act just now.  

If you haven’t added SSL to your website yet, you should hurry up, cause an important deadline is coming up. Starting in October, Google Chrome (new version 62) will show “Not secure” caution sign both when a visitor enters text in a form on an HTTP page or when checks any non-HTTPS page in Incognito mode. 

    Image source: Chromium Blog


What is going to kill your conversion rate is Google placing a “Not Secure” caution sign in your address bar. And not only Google, but other browsers are also accepting similar policies on encryption and insecure websites.

To turn up the pressure, Google will bury websites without SSL certificates in search results.

It’s time to add SSL if your website has no forms on it. It’s that simple, if Google says to do it, then let’s do it. Cause waiting until the last moment when Google flags your website is dancing on a volcano.


Is SSL Certificate Expensive? How to Get a Free One?

There is a number of various SSL certificates to choose from. Each offering different levels of trust.

Let’s Encrypt is service you can get free SSL certificate from. Yup, all of the advantages of SSL, none of the costs! With this certificate, you'll benefit of SSL without paying a single penny.

In addition to above benefits: Most of leading hosting providers are cooperating with Let’s Encrypt in order to make SSL certificate installing process easy and totally painless.

You can check a list of web hosters offering direct support for Let’s Encrypt.  If your hoster doesn’t support Let’s Encrypt, you may still be able to get a free SSL certificate with the aid of a website called SSL For Free.

This site will help to configure Let’s Encrypt certificates. You will need access to your site’s FTP details and probably support from your hoster.

If at all possible, you are recommended to find a hoster that offers direct Let’s Encrypt support cause it simplifies the process by far.


Takeaway

Currently, HTTPS is the leading standard for secure sites. HTTPS is a lot more secure system for your website to operate, which also gives SEO benefits.

Consequently, since you can get free SSL certificate, there is no reason to put off securing users’ connections and in the meantime boosting your SERPs.

If you haven't switched to HTTPS yet - it's better to act proactively now, than react later when you've fallen behind the competitors. If you need help or specialist’s advice, pls get in touch with us today!

Have you lately moved your website to HTTPS? Have you seen any results? 
It would be really neat to hear about your experience. Pls, leave your comments in the section below.