Over the last decade, many site owners have switched from HTTP to HTTPS due to the benefit offered by it. HyperText Transfer Protocol or HTTP is the way data is transmitted online. However, hackers can easily gain access to this data. However, if it is sent over a Secure Sockets Layer or SSL, then it is encrypted, making it difficult for hackers to access it. This is known as the HTTPS protocol.
When you look at web hosting plans for your site, security is one of the primary features you look for. While the hosting provider can ensure server security and you can install tools and applications to keep the website safe, data transmitted between the server and the user’s device is under threat of being attacked.
An HTTPS site has an SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certificate installed that encrypts the information in transit and boosts security. While the Comodo SSL certificate is the most popular one, before you buy an SSL certificate, it is important to understand the different types available and pick one that best suits your requirements.
The following video explains the difference between SSL and TLS:
SSL vs TLS – Which is Ideal for Your Website?
Today, we will focus on why you should migrate from HTTP to HTTPS and install an SSL certificate on your site.
Reasons to migrate from HTTP to HTTPS
Here are some reasons why you should consider migrating from HTTP to HTTPS:
1. Data encryption
When you migrate your site to HTTPS, data exchanged between the server and the user is encrypted. This makes it very difficult for hackers to gain unauthorized access and boosts the security of the information being exchanged.
2. Integrity of data
Apart from the fact that no one can eavesdrop on the information being exchanged, HTTPS also ensures that if any alteration is made to the data, then it can be easily detected.
3. Boosts customer trust
HTTPS in the URL of a website is a visual indicator to users about the fact that it has a website security certificate (SSL) installed and that all information is being transmitted over an encrypted channel. This helps build trust and improve interaction with the brand.
4. Improves the SEO ranking of the site
Search engines are the primary drivers of traffic for websites. Hence, it needs to have a good SEO score. In 2018, Google declared that sites that were not on HTTPS will be tagged as ‘Not Secure’ by the Chrome browser. It also declared that HTTPS sites would be given preference in the search engine results page. By migrating to HTTPS, your site can have a better chance of ranking higher and getting noticed.
Summing Up
An HTTPS site with an SSL certificate offers a range of benefits to websites. With an increase in attacks on websites and hackers trying different ways to gain unauthorized access to site content, site owners cannot leave any stone unturned to ensure site security. An HTTPS site with an SSL certificate installed can help ensure that all information being sent and received by the server is encrypted and protected against hacking attempts. Good Luck!