When you open any website and look at its URL, there’s a good chance it starts with the letters http or https. If the URL starts with https, you can assume you’re on a well-secured website. The added "s" stands for "secure." You can recognize an HTTPS website not only by the URL itself, but also by the padlock icon displayed to the left of the URL.
In practice, that extra “s” means that only the sender and the recipient have access to the information. What exactly are the benefits of an HTTPS website? You can read about that in the next paragraph. After that, we’ll delve deeper into how a switch to HTTPS is possible and what that entails.
Why is HTTPS important?
Compared to an HTTP website, an HTTPS site has the following advantages:
- The biggest advantage, of course, lies in security. On an HTTPS website, both the website administrator and the visitor are protected against unwanted interference from third parties. Such a website is virtually impossible for a cybercriminal to hack. The data is encrypted, so privacy is also guaranteed. This is in contrast to an HTTP site; unfortunately, on such a site, important data can be stolen relatively easily—for example, via your Wi-Fi connection.
- Many consumers are aware of the security differences between HTTP and HTTPS. If you have an HTTP website, this can have negative consequences for your customer base and your revenue.
- Well-secured websites are rewarded by Google and other online search engines with a higher ranking in search results.
Switching to HTTPS
If you want to switch from an HTTP to an HTTPS website, you will need an SSL security certificate. You can think of SSL as a connection that allows you to securely send data over the internet. This is important, especially when it comes to login credentials.
When you link the aforementioned SSL certificate to your website, you trigger certain technical processes that are quite complex. Fortunately, you don’t need to fully understand the technology behind it.
HTTPS Roadmap
If you follow these steps, you will undoubtedly ensure a smooth transition to HTTPS:
- Obtain the SSL certificate and install it—or have the certificate installed by an expert.
- Ensure that the remaining HTTP version of your site redirects to the HTTPS version.
- Update all internal links and redirects on your website.
- Update the URLs in tools such as Google Analytics and Google Search Console.
- Create a new XML sitemap so that Google is fully aware of the changes to your website.
- Check your link profile and try to change all backlinks pointing to your HTTP site to HTTPS.
- Update your URL everywhere else. This includes company pages, your social media profiles, and your emails, as well as website mentions on stationery and promotional materials.
