Are You Prepared for Google’s New Security Update?
Google is on a mission to thwart hackers – hooray!
While this is generally pretty great news for everyone who uses the web (aka: everyone, everywhere), the not so greatnews is that Google may consider your website to be non-secure from September this year.
Not only could this wave a red flag to security-conscious users – it could also negatively impact your SEO, making it harder for users to find you online.
The Update
Google has been striving to make all websites secure by default since 2016, and their newest update will have a significant impact for online businesses who currently don’t have a SSL certificate.
From July, Google will stop marking HTTP sites – those not secured with a digital certificate, that don’t encrypt traffic between browser and site servers – as secure in Chrome’s address bar. From September, Chrome will tag HTTP pages with a red “Not Secure” marker when users enter any kind of data.
HTTP sites will continue to work, and there are no plans to block them in Chrome. The only thing that will change is the security indicator – but this can have a massive impact on how visitors perceive your site.
HTTP sites: not secured with a digital certificate, don’t encrypt traffic between browser and site servers
HTTPS sites: are secured with a digital certificate, do encrypt traffic between browser and site servers
SSL (Site Sockets Layer) certificate: the standard security technology for establishing an encrypted link between a web server and a browser
Google has also revealed that adding a SSL certificate to your site and going HTTPS will give you a minor ranking boost in their search engine – meaning sites without an SSL will essentially be penalised.
4 Benefits of SSL for Your Site
- Protection from hackers
As well as encrypting sensitive data, a SSL certificate provides authentication to your site. This prevents phishing attacks and other threats to your online business. - Boosts search engine rankings
A URL that starts with a secure HTTPS protocol will gain a ranking advantage in search engines. - Google approved
As of next month, Google will be flagging websites without SSL. This means that websites without an SSL certificate will experience a decline in search rankings and, as a result, a drop in visitor conversions. - Builds trust
Customers are becoming more aware of online security. The lock icon or green bar lets your visitors know that their connection is secured.
Is Your Current Website HTTP or HTTPS?
Not sure whether you’re already covered with a SSL? There’s a very easy way to check!
Visit your own website right now, then click into the browser (website address) bar at the top of your web page. If your web address starts with https you already have an SSL certificate, and can put your feet up and relax as Google rolls out its Chrome security updates.
If you see http at the start of your website address, however, you currently don’t have an SSL certificate.
SSL Certificate Special Offer!
We want to help all Kiwi businesses operate securely online, so we’re currently offering special rates on SSL certificates, including set up. These special offers are open to everyone – meaning you don’t need to be a current Market My Company client to get your site secured for this special, limited time only rate.
SSL Cert, Direct Access
If you have direct access to your hosting, we can set up your SSL certificate for the low rate of just $279 +GST.
SSL Cert, No Direct Access
Don’t have direct access to your hosting? No problem! Our team will need to do a little extra magic behind the scenes, so we’ll be quoting SSL certificate set up for those without direct hosting access on a case-by-case basis. You can also transfer your website hosting to us at the same time for a discounted rate – bonus!
*Note the cost of your SSL certificate is additional, and, like your domain and hosting, billed annually. We will set your SSL certificate to auto-renew yearly during installation. Market My Company takes no commissions these fees.