Matrix Internet Shifted to HTTPS – Should You?

Did you think your website address started with the letters ‘www’?  Think again!

Do you know the difference between HTTP and HTTPS?  In marketing terms, what comes before the ‘www’ is not as important as what comes after it, but if you are selling online, you should have a general idea of what those letters mean.

HTTP stands for hypertext transfer protocol.  It’s how information is sent and received over the internet.  Without getting overly technical about it, the S at the end of HTTPS indicates an extra layer of security.   HTTPS encrypts the connection.   This is another tool to keep data safe and prevent a whole range of nasty hacking and impersonation attacks.  HTTPS cannot stop every type of attack, but it is a giant step forward in internet security.

Would HTTPS Make a Difference?

Hacking scandals, phishing schemes and other instances of cyber-crime hit the headlines regularly.  Anyone who uses the internet needs to be concerned and careful, and those who have websites have an extra responsibility to their visitors.  While people are aware and worried, that doesn’t stop us from accessing the internet without really making much effort to keep our connection secure.  Look at how popular it is to be online on a device on the go.  We expect cafes to have Wifi. Those little warnings that pop up about the security of our connection don’t have much impact on our behaviour.

Staying on top of developments that keep you and your web visitors as safe as possible just makes sense. Think of it as preventative maintenance for your website, a bit like installing CCTV at a bricks and mortar premises.  Your visitors probably won’t even notice the change, and you will never know how many times it prevented a problem.  But if you don’t have it when you need it, you’ll regret that.

Whatever you are doing online, whether you are selling directly or using your web presence to market your brand, keeping up with technology matters.  Having the latest bells and whistles is fun and engages your visitors, but having comprehensive security to protect them is essential.

Google also confirmed that HTTPS is an SEO ranking signal and that the search engine value of having an HTTPS website may grow over time.

Make the change to HTTPS!