The https has been talked about a lot since 2016, but why? Why is it becoming so important? Google, concerned about Internet users, wishes and sanctions sites that have not installed the https protocol. 1.50% of sites are secure in 2017. In 2022, many sites have adopted the SSL certificate which makes it possible to secure their site in https, but some have still not taken the tangent. In 2007 on our blog, it was indicated that 180 million https pages were indexed on Google. Today, we are at around 372 million, only twice as many in 10 years!
To know everything about https, it’s here!
The https protocol for dummies
The https (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure or secure hypertext transfer protocol) is a protocol that secures the confidentiality of your data during an exchange of information between the Internet user and the site via your computer. It is the secure and encrypted version of the http. It allows you to pay securely on an e-commerce site, to have the authentication that you are giving your information to the right site and that your transmitted data will not be stolen.
The https will limit the risks for the user who visits your site. Whether it is an e-commerce site, with payment processes, or a showcase site, with contact forms, data that is transmitted when sending. For a site that does not include any form or method of payment, it gives the Internet user a feeling of confidence. Google warns the user that the site is not secure which can cause a loss of traffic for the most suspicious visitors.
The pretty green padlock in front of your domain name therefore becomes essential for all site owners and on all pages!
Why switch to https?
For those who have a minimum of knowledge of SEO for Logistics referencing, we know that Google’s main interest is the comfort of the Internet user. The fact of browsing in a secure environment proves that the owner of the site thinks of the benefits of his Internet user and his security from his first page! The https becomes a web referencing factor and grants a small reward to your website. A small reward does not mean that your ranking will jump up either! The qualitative aspect of the site remains essential for referencing.
We obviously advise you to switch to https if you haven’t already! The impact can be more or less low depending on several elements such as the competition, the sector of activity, the nature of the website, the choice of your keywords, etc. Depending on your SEO strategy and the size and function of your site, it will be a priority or not to migrate to https. There are many disadvantages to this passage and in particular for the redirection which causes a loss on your natural referencing.
Good reasons to switch to https
GAIN THE TRUST OF INTERNET USERS
Indeed, the small padlock establishes an aura of trust between the Internet user and you and also legitimizes your site. Information fraud is still a topical issue, so it is important to have a healthy environment for your site, but also for your e-reputation! An e-commerce site will necessarily have to protect its payment page and indicate it on its site as a trust factor.
EARN THE TRUST OF GOOGLE
Being the owner of a website pushes us to pay attention to Google and its Internet users as a priority. Google is careful to favor sites that optimize the user experience with fast and smooth navigation and approved secure and protected data.
Since 2013, Google has moved all of its requests to https. He encourages us to do the same, but this is not easy for all sites!
A large e-commerce site can lose ranking if the migration is poorly carried out and if all the links are not redirected correctly. Migration requires technical SEO services knowledge, for redirection, the choice of the right SSL certificate (Secure Socket Layer or electronic/digital certificate) and the skills to implement it without damaging Google referencing. Think about it. On the other hand, if you are in the process of creating a website or a fairly large web project, install the appropriate SSL certificate directly before indexing your site. Your web host (OVH, 1&1) may offer you free SSL certificates, but we do not guarantee the effectiveness of the service.
How to switch your site to https?
If you already have a website or a blog, it is possible to easily switch to https. For more complex and e-commerce sites, trust a professional for this task.
CHOOSE YOUR SSL CERTIFICATE
Depending on your site or the level of security you want to expect, you can choose your SSL certificate: single, multi-domain or generic. It can range from protecting only your domain name, for your sites and subdomains, to protecting the entire structure of your site. Next, you will need to configure your web server. Be careful, this step remains complex and technical.
SET UP YOUR REDIRECTS
Depending on the number of URLs you have on your site, URLs indexed or not by Google, you will need to set up 301 redirects to force the switch to https. Extensions within WordPress or other CMS can take care of redirects.
NOTIFY GOOGLE OF THE MIGRATION
Inform GWT (Google Webmaster tools) of declaring a new site in https as well as Google Analytics.
LINKS UPDATE
Depending on your CMS, you will find the most efficient way to update your links from http to https. It will be necessary to track the URLs to modify them and avoid 404 errors, which will impact your natural referencing
Loss of Google positions after switching to https? Do not hesitate to consult our article!
If you have a large site, do not hesitate to trust the teams of our SEO agency! We specialize in carrying out audits on various CMS as well as their SEO optimization.