If you’re Internet savvy, you’ve probably encountered HTTP one time too many and you’ve become very familiar with it. If we add an “s” in the end and it becomes HTTPS, that’s when all the questions come flooding in. Those who have been doing bank transactions have already seen this and are probably wondering, what on earth it stands for. Now before we go deep into the discussion, let’s start by talking about website security.

The Importance of Website Security

Your website is not just some space on the world wide web that you can use to display photos, videos, and content about your business. It also serves as your storefront and your immediate or first contact with the customers. This is also where business relationships are formed and they can be compromised when the websites are not secure or safe. A website is faced with different types of threats each day, ranging from a malware that can infect not just the website but also the visitors, hackers who can steal the private information that customers upload on the website (names, email addresses, bank account details), hijacking the site, and a whole lot more. With all these threats, it is important that the owners of the website amp up the security not just for their safety, but also for their customers.

What is HTTPS?

Now let’s go back to HTTPS. We all know that HTTP means Hypertext Transfer Protocol and that it is the foundation or core of all data communication inside the world wide web. The “s” actually means “SSL” which stands for Secure Sockets Layer – a technology that protects your connection to websites through a process called encryption. It’s this additional “s” that makes it very difficult for hackers to access your private information.

The Importance of HTTPS

Intruders from different parts of the world are always on the hunt for websites they can manipulate or steal from. HTTPS solves this problem by keeping the intruders at bay and preventing them from doing any changes on the interaction that happens between the business owner and customers in the site. Customers will no longer fall victim to fake ads that ask them to install malware or give up confidential information. Third parties will also fail to add advertisements that will only compromise the site security and ruin the user’s experience.

Five Important Reasons to Have a Secure Website Using HTTPS

It boosts your search result rankings

Google’s algorithm changes every single second and the website needs to be prepared to stay at the top of the search rankings. You’re literally looking at two websites on the battlefield, trying to beat each other to claim first place. If they finish at the same time, the one thing that will push one website farther to the top is the HTTPS.

It’s All About User Experience

As mentioned earlier, SSL prevents hacking or man-in-the-middle attacks where someone eavesdrops in the exchange of information between users. An unauthorized party keeps a close eye on this exchange and compromises the security of the website and the users. HTTPS is even more important for websites that have login functionalities or those that accept credit card payments. Customers these days are extra cautious when it comes to giving away these details and it gives them peace when they see that your website has HTTPS. Simply put, user privacy is important and HTTPS gives your users the privacy they deserve. Need we say more?

A Requirement for Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP)

SEO experts predict that AMP will play a major role in the months to come, which means that if you want your website to be at the top of the search rankings, it has to be AMP ready. Of course, in line with this optimization, your website has to meet the AMP requirements and that includes the SSL. Learn more about Accelerated Mobile Pages through our blogs in the AMP Category.

Google Will Soon Be Indexing Mobile

Speaking of AMP, Google will soon be changing its algorithms and base the rankings of a site’s mobile version. However, Google will only index a mobile site that has HTTPS to ensure security for all parties involved.

It All Boils Down to Security

If the website does not have HTTPS, Google Chrome will display “not secure” on the browser bar especially when it asks for the credit card and login information of the users. According to research, only a small number of consumers will enter their private information on websites that don’t value their safety and security.