http vs https
As an entrepreneur, it is normal to devote most of your resources to running your business. But you should not neglect your additional tools such as your website. It is an ally too often overlooked, and yet allows you to acquire new prospects.
CONTEXT
The generalization of the HTTPS protocol is inevitable, Google wants it and has the means to impose it. Between a search engine that captures 94% of the volume of searches and its Chrome browser which occupies a leading position, Google has all the levers to gradually push all site publishers to adopt the HTTPS protocol.
HTTP and HTTPS : What is that ?
HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is a client-server communication protocol. It allows the server on which your site is hosted to communicate with browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Explorer, or Safari. Simply put, HTTP allows people to view your website and send data to your server. However, data passing through HTTP is not encrypted. This can allow a malicious person to easily recover information that may be confidential (login identifiers, contact details).
HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) is the secure version of HTTP. It is the result of a combination of HTTP with an SSL-type encryption layer (Secure Sockets Layer). Concretely, it allows the Internet user to verify the identity of your website thanks to an authentication certificate. The latter is materialized by a green padlock next to the URL of the site. This certificate guarantees the confidentiality and integrity of the data sent by the user and received by the server. HTTPS is used in particular for online financial transactions (e-commerce) but it is also used for consulting private data such as e-mails.
WHY and what is it for?
Strengthen the company-client relationship
In the business-customer relationship, simple concepts such as “trust” and “security” are indispensable. You've probably seen it before, but some browsers now show a green message next to the URL of a secure site. Inevitably, it is the kind of small detail that will reassure the Internet user browsing your site. On the web, your ability to provide your visitors with the assurance of secure browsing (when placing an order or sharing personal information, for example), strengthens the trust of your customers and also that of search engines.
Ensuring the safety of Internet users
The security of Internet users being one of the concerns of Google, the most used search engine in the world, favors HTTPS certified websites. Beyond Google's wishes, SSL certificates offer many advantages in terms of security. The direct consequence of securing the web will be a drastic reduction in data theft. This is ultimately the primary purpose of the HTTPS protocol and the main motivation for securing a website.
Improve your natural referencing
Search engines will also highlight sites that they consider “secure” and “trustworthy” more easily. The argument in favor of HTTPS is that it is a positive signal taken into account by Google in its ranking algorithm. Google explicitly indicates that it grants a slight advantage to HTTPS sites. Be careful, you will not gain in positions just by switching your site to HTTPS. On the other hand, associated with other optimizations, it is a little extra that can make the difference.
But beware, the migration to the HTTPS protocol requires a little organization if you do not want to see all your SEO efforts collapse. For example, you will have to think about redirecting all your HTTP URLs to HTTPS. This is our job.
In summary
Meet Chrome (and Firefox) requirements.
Since the arrival of Chrome 56 on January 27, 2017, the mention "Not Secure" appears next to the URL of the login page if the domain is not secured by an SSL certificate. Using the secure HTTPS protocol allows you to integrate the Google Shopping feed.
Securing the data of your sites.
Installed on a server, SSL certificates protect the exchange of data between the web server and the browser. The theft of information and identifiers when consulting private spaces has become impossible. It is this certificate that activates the green padlock and displays the "HTTPS" protocol at the URL of your website.
Reassure Internet users, your visitors.
The green padlock next to the URL of a website is a confidence index for 63% of users.
Improve your natural referencing (SEO).
Google will more easily display HTTPS secure sites in search results, as these are considered more secure and therefore "safe" for visitors.
In conclusion
To conclude, HTTPS offers data security for your website via an SSL certificate. By using this protocol, your site acquires the trust of Internet users but also that of search engines. Your site is, therefore, more likely to appear in the first results of Google. HTTPS also ensures that your website users have their personal information encrypted.
The last point, it is better to anticipate the installation of an SSL certificate on your site to avoid an emergency migration.
For more information on migrating your website from HTTP to HTTPS, feel free to
