A recent study by Moz found that nearly a third of websites, ranking on page 1 of Google, now use HTTPS.
We have mentioned HTTPS in past posts, but just to refresh your memory (if you did indeed read our past posts):
Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure, or HTTPS, is the secure version of HTTP, the protocol over which data is sent between your browser and the website that you are connected to. A website that uses HTTPS allows for the communication between users’ browsers and their website to be encrypted, making it difficult for hackers to obtain users’ information flowing between the two.
HTTPS as a ranking signal
Back in August 2014 Google announced that HTTPS was going to be a light ranking factor. Now some SEOs decided to convert their sites to HTTPS and others didn’t (mainly because they were not convinced that it would make a significant difference).
Google has since done many pro-HTTPS campaigns, filling SEOs minds with probable ranking benefits – and it worked!
Fast-forward to the present and nearly a third of websites are adopting HTTPS.
Now Google will most likely be following this trend and over time decide to add more weight to HTTPS as a ranking factor – watch this space!
Even if more weight is not given, users being able to see a padlock next to your web address is only likely to build their trust in your practice – we use it on our website!
If you would like to know more about how we can convert your site to be HTTPS, please feel free to contact Dental Design on 01202 677277.
Inspiration taken from – Search Engine Watch and Instant SSL