Website security

Website security with HTTPS

HTTP and HTTPS is the text that appears in your URL bar at the top of the page before your www . For example https://im-digital.co.uk/

It basically represents an abbreviation of either Hypertext Transfer Protocol or Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. In layman’s terms it is a method of transmitting and receiving information across the internet. HTTP has a primary focus on ensuring that it delivers the data from A to B to the user in the best possible form. It isn’t all that bothered about the journey the data takes along the way.

What is SSL?

SSL or Secure Sockets Layer’s main concern is how the data travels from A to B and ensuring that the information is encrypted and secure as it takes its journey.

Birth of HTTPS

HTTPS is a combination of both HTTP and SSL meaning you in essence get the best of both worlds, with data being transported securely and presented well.

Why Does Google like HTTPS?

Pretty simple really. HTTPS was built to allow secure data transactions and allow websites to exchange confidential information securely and prevent anyone from gaining any form of unauthorised access along the way. Music to Google’s ears! They have long wanted to improve data security and announced that they recommend sites use the HTTPS format going forward. As it stands the SEO benefits are slight, however every little helps when it comes to ranking improvement. There are other benefits that come with the HTTPS certificate. It also allows users of your site the knowledge that their sensitive data is being handled securely and builds up a trust with the user.

What next to expect?

It is widely expected that Google will continue to place more emphasis on SEO benefits of being HTTPS and look favourably on its usage.

How can ImDigital help?

Firstly, as you can see above the ImDigital site itself is in the HTTPS format, meaning any information you enter is encrypted and secure. Secondly, we are conscious of the current and potential SEO benefits that being HTTPS presents (We like to stay up to date with things) From a client perspective we would recommend going HTTPS to each of our new and existing website customers. There is a slight increase in cost on annual hosting expenses however this figure pales into insignificance in comparison to the potential benefits that being HTTPS presents.