Beginning in July 2018, Google Chrome, the world’s most popular web browser, will start labeling your website as insecure if it is not running under HTTPS. The move is intended to push website owners to ensure a safer web experience by encrypting data transfer and may significantly impact your search engine ranking and site reputability if your site is still running as HTTP (not HTTPS).
The Bottom Line: Integrate an SSL certificate on your website ASAP to a) make your website more secure and ensure data privacy and security, b) maintain or boost your search engine rankings, and c) ensure the reputability of your website and business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Read HTTP vs. HTTPS: What’s the Difference and Why Should You Care? from Entrepreneur for an easily digestible overview.
Yes, depending on the nature of your website and your specific web host, I can recommend and integrate an SSL certificate. To receive a quote for this service, complete the form below. If you are an existing web hosting client, this service has already been provided and there is no additional action needed (Yay!).
SSL certificates other than Let’s Encrypt certificates tend to range from $10-130 per year. Your web host may offer certificates for easy integration or you can purchase one from a third party (I recommend name.com).
If you would like assistance with this process, request a quote for this service via the form below.
If a website is configured correctly with an SSL certificate ensuring encryption with HTTPS (HTTP Secure), you will see a lock icon in the browser bar of most popular browsers, including Google Chrome, Safari, and Firefox. As of April 2018, it is a green icon for Chrome and Firefox and grey for Safari.
If you click on the icon, you can view additional information related to the connection:
If a site is not configured for HTTPS, it will look more like this:
When you click on the icon, you can view additional information:
As of April 2018, many web hosts offer a free SSL certificate from Let’s Encrypt. A couple potential downsides to this free option are a) you may need to renew the certificate every three months (check with your web host if this is the case) and b) it is not the optimal choice for e-commerce websites that handle financial data on their own rather than through a third party like PayPal.
SSL certificates typically run from $10-200 per year. I’d recommend checking with your web host about the options they have available and comparing with a third-party provider like name.com. If you’d like assistance with this process, complete the form below to receive a quote.
Receive a quote
Assistance with obtaining and integrating an SSL certificate typically runs $65-195 per website depending on the website. To receive a custom quote for your website, complete the form below.
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See also
- Reflecting on a year’s worth of Chrome security improvements Google Chrome
- Google Is Requiring HTTPS for Secure Data in Chrome Search Engine Journal
- Half of Page-1 Google Results Are Now HTTPS Moz