Why migrate from http to https? Four Compelling Reasons.
In today’s climate of hackers and web security breaches, PLUS Google pushing sites to be more secure, it’s more important than ever to make your WordPress website HTTPS.
Starting October 2017, Google Chrome is showing a “Not Secure” warning when users enter text in a form on an HTTP page? Is your website ready?
Before we jump into the main reasons why you should migrate from http to https, you might be wondering what is HTTPS.
What is HTTPS?
HTTPS stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure. It is a protocol used for secure communications over the internet. Communication over HTTPS is encrypted between the client and the server so no one can tamper with the data, and your website data isn’t forged.
When you access most websites, the URL usually begins with HTTP. All of these sites are unsecured and it’s a major problem.
Believe it or not, there are people out there making replicas of websites and diverting traffic in an effort to steal from you. It’s important that you don’t allow this to happen to you and your followers!
Check for the GREEN LOCK.
An HTTPS secure website shows a Green Lock in their browser. You (and everyone else on the internet) need to be checking for the Green Lock in their browser before entering personal information into the website.
Four Reasons Why You Should Move Your WordPress Website to HTTPS
- SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
Google has been pushing sites to be more secure and now they’re saying it’s past time to move your sites over to HTTPS. If your site is HTTPS, Google is giving an SEO ranking boost to secure sites. So— all those other websites, your competitors, competing for position on search engine results pages that aren’t HTTPS, you can start ranking higher than them. Double bonus!
Simply put, you’ll rank better in SEO being HTTPS!
- Security
SSL (which stands for Secure Sockets Layer) protects your site data and visitors. It is a protocol which creates a secure connection between a client and the server over which to send information.
In a nut shell, it encrypts data transferred over the web like form submissions and credit card transactions.
- Ecommerce
If you’re taking any kind of payments on your website (think ecommerce and membership sites), you have to have SSL!
- Affordable
SSL certificates used to be quite expensive, but today switching to SSL is affordable and most hosting providers (like Bluehost) now offer this additional service.
What’s the process of changing your WordPress site from HTTP to HTTPS?
At Your Marketing BFF, we are prepared to help our clients and readers make this transition as easy as possible with little to no interruption to your website.
Keep in mind that while the domain of your website is not changing, the address to get there is. There are a lot of minor but important details in moving sites from HTTP to HTTPS, so I wouldn’t suggest this as a DIY.
Also, if you want to grow and make money from your site, this isn’t a decision about if you should make the switch, but when. And I’d suggest contacting us sooner rather than later so you can stay ahead of the competition!
