News post / 20 Sep 2016 - by blueshark
HTTP vs HTTPS
HTTPS has many Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) benefits, but before we start talking about them, we should probably talk about what HTTPS and HTTP is.
So what’s the difference between HTTP and HTTPS?
HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) is a set of standards that allow users to exchange information found on web pages. HTTPS is a secure version of HTTP as the ‘S’ stands for secure, this means that all communications between your browser and the website are encrypted.
Why should you change to HTTPS?
One of the main benefits of HTTPS is the security and privacy that can be gained, as HTTPS encrypts all communications, this means it can protect things like your browsing history and credit/debit card numbers. HTTPS prevents tampering by 3rd parties, making sure that your site is secure for your visitors, it does this by verifying that the website is the one the server is supposed to be talking to.
HTTPS has other benefits than just security, as it can help possibly boost rankings in search engines, visitors can also verify that you are a registered business and that you own the domain, and are more likely to trust your website and make purchases from you.
Are there any disadvantages?
As with most things there are disadvantages, as mistakes can happen when changing from HTTP to HTTPS, it is rare that these can happen, but if they do they are easily fixed. HTTPS also has the potential to slow down your website, and also comes at a cost, which could be a hard expenditure for small companies.
As you can see even though there are disadvantages to HTTPS, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Changing to HTTPS could potentially help your company’s website grow, and have more customers who trust your website enough to purchase products.
