From online shopping to sending emails, our personal data and information are being put out to the World Wide Web constantly. That’s why web security plays a major role in keeping our data inaccessible to any third party. A major step towards increasing security is by having a website that is built with an HTTPS (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure) certificate. Known as the secure version of the regular HTTP, it protects all forms of communication between internet browsers and websites. You might be getting HTTPS reminders now and then, but here are six reasons why you should take it very seriously.
1. It protects online identity
Everyone spent the best half of their daily routines online. From paying their loans and settling bills to ordering their desk lunch, the internet has made it easy for everyone to navigate their busy lifestyle. As much as our users trust businesses and financial institutions with their personal information, their online identity is still at risk of being sniffed by a third-party. Hence, it’s important to build a sense of trust by adding an HTTPS certificate to your website. Besides shielding your user’s personal data from being seen or modified by a third-party, it will also provide confidentiality and privacy protection. If you don’t want others to know your credit card details, passwords or home address, it’s our responsibility to give the same level of security for our users too.
2. It provides web security
You’d be surprised by the number of phishing websites that are out there to fool internet users. By adding an HTTPS certificate to your website, you’re setting yourself apart from these websites. Phishing websites often disguised themselves as legitimate pages, and they’re out there to steal personal data and information from internet users. By sniffing through someone’s internet browser, they’ll take any information they could find. Since phishing websites are often accessible in places with public Wi-Fi such as cafes and airports, websites without an HTTPS certificate will appear similar to it.
3. It assures reliable data encryption
If your website stores personal data, it’s important to have secured data encryption. The moment your website doesn’t have an HTTPS certificate, it decreases the level of privacy. Whenever a user accesses any website, cookies will pick up every piece of user information and its browsing activity. It includes names, passwords and credit card details. Without secured data encryption, it weakens your website’s security and makes it vulnerable to online hacks and third-party sniffing.
4. It improves your Google ranking
Google has placed huge importance on web security to make the World Wide Web a safer place for internet users. It comes to no surprise that Google has announced that having an HTTPS certificate is one of the major criteria to improve search rankings. Therefore, it’s vital for any small businesses and companies to take the HTTPS certificate seriously. If you want to improve your website’s ranking on Google search, start by updating your website with an HTTPS certificate.
5. It enhances your mobile pages
A majority of internet users are now accessing websites and social media pages from their smartphones. Whether they’re commuting via public transport or queueing in the post office, most businesses are gearing to ensure that their websites are mobile-friendly. Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) is a form of the HTML page that makes a website more lightweight and accessible. It also improves the user experience by creating easy-to-read content that loads faster on mobile. Part of the criteria in creating an AMP-ready website is by having an HTTPS certificate. It will provide internet users with additional website security when adding their information on their smartphones.
6. It increases credibility
Today, Google is taking the next step by alerting users whenever they’re accessing websites without an HTTPS certificate. This display normally occurs on websites that require users to provide payment details and user logins. If your goal is to build trust and credibility of your business or establishment through online presence, the alert may weaken your user’s confidence in your brand. Therefore, it’s crucial to have a website with an HTTPS certificate.
If you’re planning to increase the security and credibility of your website, it’s important to take note about HTTPS certificate. Whether you aim to improve your Google ranking to enhance your mobile pages, it’s the ultimate key to providing a safe online experience for your users.