Print, Design & Websites
Posted: January 10, 2017 • Posted in: Website Design
As part of its desire for a more secure web, Google is supporting and encouraging the use of HTTPS (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure) with the introduction of more benefits for sites that have this security feature.
SSL (or Secure Socket Layer to give it its full title) is basically a security protocol which creates an encrypted connection between your website and your visitors’ browser, allowing private information to be transferred securely. By using this encrypted connection, other computers cannot understand the code, so personal information cannot be stolen if the communication is intercepted.
As well as the obvious security benefits, there is another major reason to change in 2017.
From January onwards, Google Chrome – the world’s most popular web browser – will display a ‘Not Secure’ tag on any eCommerce site or website that requires a login or a password which does not have an SSL certificate.
It’s likely other browsers will soon follow this lead.
Conversely, sites such as ours, which do have SSL certification are authenticated with a green padlock symbol and the word ‘Secure’ – basically endorsing the site as one that can be trusted.
Also, as has been known for a little while, Google uses SSL certificates as one of their ranking factors, so having a secure site may also give you the edge over your competitors on search engine results pages (SERPs).
Big sites such as Facebook, Wikipedia and Amazon have already switched, and it’s suggested that as more do, Google’s emphasis on HTTPS sites will continue to increase, meaning now might be the ideal time to change.
In the interest of objectivity, it’s only fair to point out that there are some disadvantages to switching.
By changing, any social media sharing counts may be lost, as these will have been achieved on the original version of the website.
It’s also worth noting that sites that do not have SSL will not be penalised by Google. However you would be missing out on the advantages of having a SSL certificate and may not rank as highly as some of your competitors.
There is a small annual cost to purchasing a SSL certificate but we feel the benefits outweigh the cost.
No it doesn’t, it protects your users data when they use your website. There are software solutions available which can help reduce the risk of hacking and we can advise you on the options available if this is a concern to you.
After considering the arguments above, we have taken the decision to advise our clients to switch to HTTPS. We feel it’s inevitable that all sites will have SSL encryption in a few years, especially with Google supporting this move. With an increased push for greater security and encryption expected in 2017, and Chrome’s changes to the way it displays unsecured sites, we believe now is the right time to move to a more secure platform.
** On a related note, we would also like to take this opportunity to remind all our customers to check a site is secure before providing any credit card details to it. As a rule of thumb, if there’s no padlock, don’t provide your personal information. **
At Kall Kwik we have a range of SSL certificate options available, which will provide your website with this extra protection, and are always on hand to offer advice on what the benefits would be to you, and which package would be best for your business.
If you would like to secure your website, why not contact us today to find out more.
