HTTPS! Make the Internet Great Again
The time to secure your site is now. You may have heard you should convert your website to HTTPS, but you cannot wait any longer. Safety measures have recently become more rigorous, demanding companies increase their site security. Do not allow your brand to fall behind. Join the HTTPS revolution!
Sites that are not secure will fall to the bottom of the search results page…
Google just changed the game
Let’s talk about Google’s latest web browser update and release of Chrome 68. Beginning this past July of 2018, Google will clearly notify visitors when they have landed on a website that is not secure. With this update, Google aims to create a safer online environment and remain on top of their game, evolving with the demands and challenges of today’s digital landscape.
For the past several years, Google has moved towards a more secure web, advocating that sites use HTTPS encryption as opposed to not secure HTTP. The security measures your company takes reflects upon your brand. Taking the necessary steps toward protecting your customer’s valuable information helps shape and define who you are as a business and ultimately portrays the right image to the customer.
Reap the benefits of a secure site and build brand power
A green padlock in the corner of your page indicates you have encrypted your data and installed an SSL Certificate. It allows the site visitor to feel safe, bringing them positive feelings about your brand. It serves as a clear, visual cue that your website is protected and secure. The goal is to take responsibility and show your customers that you understand that they have entrusted you with vital personal information.
This is an opportunity to build brand power, prove authentication and establish trust with your audience. Consumers form an image and opinion of your brand based on many different factors. Your reputation is more than what you sell or the services you provide. It’s more than your customer service ranking or how fast you reply on twitter. Your company’s image is how well you value and appreciate not only your customer’s business, but also their well-being and privacy.
As a result of this boost in brand perception, customers are more likely to purchase from you, sign up for your weekly newsletter and become repeat customers who feel good about your business practices.
What exactly is an SSL Certificate?
I know what you’re thinking. Is this certificate worthwhile or is it all for show?
Let’s start with defining what an SSL Certificate is. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is the standard security technology for establishing an encrypted link between a web server and a browser. A web server is what a business connects with to present their website online and a web browser is what customers use to connect with web pages on both their phones and computers.
A web server and web browser work together to connect the customer’s computer to the company’s website. An SSL Certificate acts as a protective barrier, making it more difficult for entities to meddle with the information that passes to and from the browser and server.
A secure site will instill a feeling of confidence in your customers.
Encryption is your obligation
When it comes to safeguarding customer information, it is simply not enough anymore to avoid knowingly giving it out to other parties. You are obligated to protect this information from cyber criminals and data hackers.
Having a secure website is both important and necessary to your online business. Customers feel confident that their personal information is safely delivered and any data they receive from the website is not manipulated or tainted in any way.
Give your brand a boost and make Google happy
In addition to the functionality the certificate provides, Google is taking it a step further using HTTPS as a ranking factor. Sites that are not secure will fall to the bottom of the search results page, which may impact your number of site visits. The good news, Google is rewarding those who choose to encrypt their data by ranking it higher, bringing you more traffic and potential revenue.
Originally used only as a tiebreaker when all other variables were equal, it will now grant site owners a small boost in ranking. After running tests on using secure, encrypted connections as a signal in their search algorithms, Google wrote in their Webmaster Central Blog, “We’ve seen positive results, so we’re starting to use HTTPS as a ranking signal.”
In 2014 Google informed readers the signal was very lightweight, but warned, “over time we may decide to strengthen it, because we’d like to encourage all website owners to switch from HTTP to HTTPS to keep everyone safe on the web.”
Encryption helps keep the web safe and secure for all of us
All in all, encryption is important! Without an SSL Certificate encrypting the data passing between your business and your customers, both parties are at risk. A secure site will instill a feeling of confidence in your customers that you as a business, are doing everything you can to protect any personal information, resulting in a more loyal customer base and favorable standing.
Investing in cyber security is worthwhile. Regularly review and evaluate both your privacy policies and IT strategic plan and adapt them as necessary to meet the data security demands of today. Staying on top of these trends proves your company trustworthy and proactive.