Let’s take a short rollercoaster before jumping into what HTTPS is and what its benefits are.

When the internet first started, everything was available quickly on the web. As the web started populating with many different websites, many hackers started taking advantage by hacking the websites, phishing the website users, stealing their data, and injecting dangerous viruses.

To ensure the safety of the internet users and website owners, software companies came up with Anti-virus software and different firewalls, but everyone knew it would not be enough.

This is when Netscape Communications first introduced HTTPS in 1994 for its web browser, which allowed companies to handle credit card transactions online. Although it took a while for people to realize the benefits of HTTPS, it eventually caught up. Google became HTTPS in 2011, which was introduced as a default for Gmail.

Ever since Google announced HTTPS as a ranking signal, many website owners started switching to HTTPS.

There are clear benefits to obtaining that sought-after green padlock, but many still wonder if there are any clear benefits to obtaining HTTPS altogether.

So, what is HTTPS, and how can you benefit from it?

HTTPS vs. HTTP

HTTP and HTTPS are web terms known as Hypertext Transfer Protocol and Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure, respectively. Both are application-layer protocols for transmitting hypermedia documents such as HTML. However, the most significant difference is that HTTPS employs a secure protocol that encrypts the hypermedia for security.

Websites with HTTPS have secure sockets layers (SSL). You'd see a lock icon or green padlock in the website address bar for websites with SSL.

HTTPS protects both the website and user from hackers and potential data leakage. The website must have an encryption layer to ensure the hackers don't access the user's credit cards and personal information.

Here are some telltale differences between HTTPS and HTTP. 

By the end of 2020, more than half of the web is encrypted, which means billions of websites have adopted HTTPS.

Today the average volume of encrypted internet traffic finally surpassed the average volume of unencrypted traffic.

The little lock on the browser address bar does more than protecting a website; it ensures your website users that their information is in safe hands.

What are the benefits of using HTTPS?

Here are five reasons why your website needs HTTPS

Provides Security to Internet Users

According to CybIntSolutions,

There is a hacker attack every 39 seconds. 43% of cyber-attacks target small-medium businesses, and the total data breach has cost $3.9 million in damages across small-medium businesses.

The same source indicates that 64% of companies have experienced web-based attacks, including phishing and social engineering attacks.

The hacking is causing billions in losses every year; hence, clear safety measures are needed to ensure that customer data are not compromised by unsafe websites.

Using HTTPS prevents your website from different kinds of vulnerabilities and provides a safe and secure experience for users. Although HTTPS has its limitations, it's better than leaving the website encrypted.

Protects from Phishing and Data Leakage

With HTTPS, data is encrypted in transit in both directions: going to and coming from the origin server. The protocol keeps communications secure so that malicious parties or attackers can't observe what data is being sent. As a result, any confidential information that is being sent, such as credit card detail, social security number, email addresses, etc., can't be stolen in transit when users enter them into a form.

Phishing is a type of social engineering attack often used to steal user data and credentials. Phishing emails, spear phishing, link manipulation, fake websites, etc., are standard phishing tools.

The use of HTTPS prevents attacks in which an attacker impersonates or spoofs a website, making users believe they're on the authentic website.

Many website owners often believe that they do not need HTTPS if they don't handle sensitive information, but this is a misconception. HTTPS protects your website from attackers injecting viruses. Moreover, an HTTPS connection will ensure that your website complies with Google's search engine ranking algorithm.

Today, it is too expensive not to implement HTTPS.

Improves Search Engine Rankings

In August 2014, Google announced that HTTPS is a ranking factor in their search algorithm. This changed the perception of many website owners to switch from a simple HTTP website to HTTPS.

Although there is a debate that HTTPS has less impact on improving your website's ranking drastically, it is still a significant factor in ranking your website above an unsecured website.

Google has also indicated that an HTTPS site can serve as a tiebreaker between two sites offering similar information. That means a secured website will consistently rank higher than an unsecured website.

When finally switching to HTTPS, you must ensure that you follow the proper website migration process. Use 301 redirects and the proper placement of canonical tags after successfully migrating your website.

Caters to People's perception

Using HTTPS is not just anymore a safety measure but a trend. The most important reason to have an HTTPS site is to cater to people's perceptions. Although many people don't yet understand HTTPS, they're sure that a secured website is far safer to use than an unsecured website.

Many internet users are concerned about online privacy and security. The news of hacking and data breaches through popular social media websites and mobile apps are the primary concerns; hence many people subconsciously avoid using an unsecured website.

HTTPS is quickly becoming the norm, and even non-techie visitors are now starting to feel a little uneasy when they do not see that padlock.

Maintains lead generation

Using HTTPS helps in lead generation. Since 2017, the Google Chrome web browser started showing a "not secure" warning when users started filling out a contact form on the website. This discourages your website users from filling out any form on your website or providing their payment details.

If you depend on your website generating leads and sales inquiries, your website must use HTTPS protocol. This also has to do with people's perception that unsecured websites are unsafe to use altogether.

How to install HTTPS on the Website?

The good news is that you can easily incorporate SSL into your website.

• Start with purchasing an SSL certificate. You can get one for less than $10/year.
• If you're apt on web development, you can incorporate the code yourself or consult a web developer to incorporate it for you.
• After the SSL certificate is installed, check every web page for possible errors. 301 redirection, canonical tags, and other forms of redirection are required.
• Notify Google through the webmaster tool that you've converted your website to HTTPS.

Check this infographic out for more information. 

All in all, incorporating HTTPS has many undeniable benefits. Get in touch with Searchable Design, the best web development agency in the US, to learn more about the benefits of using HTTPS.