Google has been encouraging websites to make the switch to HTTPS encryption for several years. The time has come when this transition will be seen across the board, as websites still using HTTP will be identified in Chrome as “not secure” beginning in July. Websites continuing to use HTTP after July 2018 will be marked with a “not secure” indicator when viewers land on their site. This is a message that none of us want attached to the most important asset of our online marketing—our website.
Why Should I Care about HTTPS?
When we connect to a server using HTTPs, the ‘s’ stands for secure. Our HTTP request is using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). SSL is a protocol used to secure communications between a client and server. HTTPS, in the address bar, is an encrypted website connection. In the past, HTTPS was used primarily for passwords and other sensitive data. The entire web, with encouragement from Google, is gradually leaving HTTP behind and switching to HTTPS.
In addition to added security, HTTPS has other benefits. HTTPS blocks ISPs from injecting ads on your website. This is a benefit for websites and businesses who lose customers through competitor ads. Like with anything in technology, HTTP is a thing of the past as new and advanced technologies have replaced the connection. It’s like the old version of the latest computer, or the ancient iPhone 6. HTTPS is not only more secure, it is faster, and it performs better.
When we connect to a website with regular HTTP there is no way to verify that we are connected to the correct website. Personal and private information should never be sent over an HTTP connection because these connections are not secure. With HTTPS our browser checks the website’s security certificate and verifies ownership of that domain to protect users from scam websites.
Time Is Running Out. Get Secure.
When it comes to protecting your practice, you don’t have a choice of whether to switch. It’s inevitable. Google is leading the way and you need to follow. Google controls about 74% of all search traffic on desktop/laptop computers and 92% of all mobile searches. If you don’t switch to HTTPS Google will penalize your website and will downgrade your results listing in search.
Consider these statistics;
- Of all internet users 66% look online for information about a specific medical problem or disease. (Source)
- The top three search results receive 50% of all clicks on Google. (Source)
- Search engines result in 300% more traffic generation to websites than social media. (Source Ironpaper)
And as of February 2018, Google reports that:
- Over 68% of Chrome traffic is now protected for both Android and Windows users
- Over 78% of Chrome traffic is now protected for Chrome OS and Mac users
- 81 of the top 100 sites on the web use HTTPS by default
So, there’s a reason that all the best are already on board. If the whole idea of making this switch is beginning to make your palms sweat, relax. Although it’s been stressed you ONLY have until July 2018 to make the transition, you still have until July 2018 to make the transition!
Contact us today to help you transition your site to HTTPS. Our Medical Website Design service includes a free SSL certificate for your website and is only $299 per month with no setup fees and no longterm contracts. The conversion to HTTPS can be done without interrupting your website and without causing your practice website to lose traffic.