Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) transfers data from a web server to your browser so that it can access and load websites.
You’ve likely already seen it in your browser’s address bar (e.g. http://www.semrush.com)
HTTPS is the acronym for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. Like HTTP, its main purpose is to transfer data from a server to your browser, so you can load websites.
However, HTTPS uses an encrypted connection to communicate between the server and the browser. A SSL (secure sockets layer) certificate protects the transferred data from being stolen as it’s exchanged.
HTTPS was created in 1994 but wasn’t widely used as the standard until 2019. Its popularity is mostly due to Google recommending that sites switch to HTTPS in 2014.
You can also spot HTTPS in your browser’s address bar (e.g. https://www.semrush.com)
Thanks to its encrypted connection, HTTPS is more secure than HTTP.
Site security is important even if you don’t have an e-commerce site or a website that handles sensitive data. A secure site protects your customers from getting their data stolen and protects your website from security breaches that cost time and money to fix.
Other benefits include:
You’ll be glad to know that switching to HTTPS is a relatively straightforward process:
If you aren’t comfortable making these technical changes, most web hosting companies can handle this for you at a price. You still need to update or redirect any remaining internal links to HTTPS.
If you’re not sure if your website uses HTTPS, it’s easy to check. Enter your site’s domain into your browser’s address bar. You should see:
Of course, even the most experienced webmaster can run into issues when setting up new protocols. Switching from HTTP to HTTPS has its benefits, but there are problems that can occur during or after the switch. Keep an eye out for:
If you run into any HTTPS issues, you can use tools to help you troubleshoot. First, double-check that your web host provider hasn’t flagged any issues with your transfer. Some web hosting services will alert you if your certificate didn’t install correctly.
The Site Audit tool can also help identify any issues with your HTTPS certificate. The tool includes over 120 website checks that tackle every aspect of your site’s technical SEO, including HTTPS protocols.
To get started with the Site Audit tool:
4. Configure your audit settings. You’ll be able to set the audit’s crawl scope, disallow URLs, and add additional website login information.
5. Select Start Site Audit.
In the tool’s Overview report, you’ll receive a score for your site based on how many issues the audit found and their severity. The report also includes widgets for additional reports on your site’s crawlability, page speed and more.
To view the HTTPS Implementation thematic report, select the HTTPS widget from the Overview:
This report provides further details about your HTTPS certification. Check for any HTTP errors under Website Architecture. You’ll even be able to see which links redirect to the HTTP version so that you can correct them:
Read more about the Site Audit’s settings in its user manual.
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This post was sponsored by DAC Group. The opinions expressed in this article are the…
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