In Webmaster speak, HTTPS is a search engine optimization“ranking signal.” Google said in a blog post, the signal is very lightweight and will affect fewer than 1% of global queries. Addressing even a minor signal can add up to a major difference. As the company admits, it may strengthen the signal over time in order to enhance safety for all web users. Just months ago Google called for “HTTPS everywhere”. Its plan is to favor websites that use HTTPS instead of HTTP, even if only for now. This is a strong signal that Google is making security a top priority and that a Web-wide sea change is in the works.
HTTP stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol. The extra “S” in HTTPS stands for Secure (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure).
Without getting too technical, that one letter makes a big difference in terms of protecting a user’s data. As Google describes it, HTTPS “protects the integrity and confidentiality of your users’ data.” In short, it provides users with a secure connection to your website and protects their personal information.
In light of Edward Snowden’s revelations of government spying, rampant online identify theft, and reports of Chinese and Russian hackers, internet security is a hot topic. This has caused many people to ask whether there is any such thing as privacy on the internet anymore.
Matthew Vaughan at the ChapterThree blog points out that “We increasingly lead our lives online; all of our personal, professional and financial details, interests and communications take place there, information we might not want everyone else in the world to know.”
“Our online communications are no longer assumed to be obscure, so to maintain privacy they must become secure,” he adds.
Privacy, in a word, is why HTTPS matters. Although you may not think that you have much to protect, the people who visit your website and submit personal information would beg to differ. This happens every time a prospective client fills out a lead generation form.
By every indication, encrypted everything, including Google’s “HTTPS everywhere,” is the future of the Internet. In addition to Google, large web companies have recently made HTTPS the default for their sites. Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter are just some examples. SSL encryption will protect clients’ personal information and position you to leverage this ranking signal with your lawyer SEO strategy.
Do you need help getting started with search engine optimization for lawyers or making your website SSL compliant? Contact us at Legal Web Design for a FREE consultation.
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