It’s no secret that Google is making a herculean effort to ensure that populated websites are secure for visitors. Specifically, Google has influenced websites to migrate to HTTPS to promote widespread online security among Internet users. Initially, Google made it an option for websites to switch from HTTP to HTTPS.
IMPORTANT! Google will mandate all webmasters switch to HTTPS, effective July 2018. For webmasters and website owners, this edict from the Internet giant is a serious requirement that could have severe implications for those who choose to ignore it.
Google will mark any website that doesn’t migrate to HTTPS as unsecured in the upcoming release of Chrome 68. This marking will become visible to any Internet user trying to gain access to your website, which can ultimately give your business an unprofessional vibe. Understandably, no one wants their website to be black-listed by Google.
However, securing your website with an HTTPS label can be extensive. To familiarize you with the concept, I have for you here how you can secure your website before Google announces your vulnerabilities to the public.
Why is This Happening?
Google has been trying to entice web admins to switch to HTTPS for years. It appears that Google has gotten serious in this pursuit, but there is a reason for this. In July, Google will make some considerable improvements to Chrome 68. It has been announced that Google will incentivize websites with higher rankings to have faster page speeds.
Accordingly, Google has also taken the time to fix a concurrent search engine issue. That problem happens to be unsecured websites. The immense threat that an unsecured website can harbor is the high probability that transmitted and stored personal information can be leaked and stolen. HTTPS websites utilize SSL, which stands for Secure Socket Layer. This safety technology ensures your data is encrypted between the web server and a browser.
In previous years, Google warned Internet users who tried to access an HTTP website. To promote Internet safety and accountability, Google now requires all websites to switch to HTTPS. The threat of hackers who steal the sensitive data of Internet users is far too significant for Google to ignore. Therefore, switching to HTTPS is an ideal move for your business to optimize your search engine optimization, build credibility with your website visitors, and establish a professional online. Fortunately, doing so isn’t that difficult and only requires in-depth knowledge of the subject.
How to Check for HTTPS
On Google Chrome, you can quickly identify websites with an HTTPS label by checking the search engine bar at the top of the Chrome application.
In the previous Google Chrome versions, you needed help distinguishing between secure and unsecured websites. With the newest Google Chrome update, this is now possible.
With Google’s new HTTPS mandate, website visitors will easily be able to detect if your website is secure or not. Therefore, switching to HTTPS before July makes sense, mainly because Google will expose your business to website visitors as dangerous.
How to Switch Your Website to HTTPS
To switch your website to HTTPS, you will first have to purchase an SSL certificate. This certificate will flag your website as secure for visitors. Your SSL certificate will encrypt any important data being transferred over a server, protecting sensitive information such as credit card information, passwords, and even social security numbers.
You can purchase SSL certificates from several big-name providers, such as Comodo, or from third-party providers, such as Namecheap or DigiCert.
DO NOT PURCHASE a Symantec or GeoTrust SSL. Google plans to DISTRUST both of these.
PX Media has a longstanding relationship with COMODO SSL Certificates, the top-of-the-line SSLs.
PX Media Hosting supplies an SSL to all clients. You don’t need to worry.
Have it purchased and installed by a Security Support Professional at PX Media. If done correctly, you might retain access to your site, or it may go down completely.
Regardless of where you purchase your SSL certificate, do not obtain a “free certificate” or create one yourself. Doing so could cause a website error whenever a visitor attempts to access your website.
If you purchase a legitimate SSL certificate, simply install it on your website host’s account. Once this is done, you can change your links from HTTP to HTTPS and set up 301 redirects to HTTPS to ensure that visitors will always access your secured website.
If you have a WordPress site, you will need to install an SSL plugin. Your host may have problems with this or may not even allow you to install it. Quality hosting is a must, so contact PX Media, and we will help protect your site.
What Are the Benefits of SSL
SSL Certification may now be mandatory. However, this doesn’t mean that the safety feature doesn’t have its perks. Years ago, Google implied that secure websites could boost rankings slightly. Rightfully so, having an SSL certificate installed will allow visitors to trust your website and your services.
By not having an SSL certificate, you could be exposing your visitors to hackers who diligently steal personal information from websites. Do you genuinely want to put your visitors at this type of risk? If Google requires users to switch from HTTP to HTTPS, your website’s ranking could substantially increase and replace unsecured websites.
Overall, the requirement of HTTPS is a win-win situation for both websites and visitors. While your website protects your visitors, your ranking will increase over your competitors, who may need more security.
In light of Google’s new HTTPS requirement, web admins will now have to prioritize the online safety of their visitors. While many people may see this regulation as an inconvenience, the sudden topic of data breaches among popular internet services is starting to influence websites to concentrate on boosting the security and privacy of their visitors.
Nonetheless, obtaining an SSL certificate and securing your website will keep you by Google’s upcoming mandate and have some positive benefits that can impact your website ranking.
