Suppose you see that little padlock in your web browser’s address bar which indicates that you are visiting a secure website. That means that the information you are sending or receiving from the website is encrypted. Insecure websites have URLs that begin with “HTTP,” but secure websites begin with “HTTPS,” where “s” stands for “secure.” Back then, you only wanted a secure website if you were doing eCommerce with an online shopping cart and customers entering their credit card information on your website. But now, even though your website is primarily an informational site, HTTPS is still recommended.
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Why is HTTPS better than HTTP?
Why is https better than HTTP? The only difference between the two protocols is that HTTPS uses TLS (SSL) to encrypt regular HTTP requests and responses. As a result, HTTPS is much more secure than HTTP. Websites using HTTP will have http:// in their URLs, while websites using HTTPS will have https://.In order to obtain a secure HTTPS website, various web hosting providers offer SSL certificates that enable websites to move from HTTP to HTTPS. For instance, you can get a free SSL certificate from IONOS, which offers SSL-wildcard certificates, meaning that one such certificate can be used with multiple sub-domains of a domain while oftentimes, many other providers offer mainly single-domain certificates.
Safety:
One of the main benefits of HTTPS is the security of your data transfer. It protects users from attacks a man-in-the-middle (MitM) might have launched from a compromised or unsecured network. Hackers can use such techniques to steal your customers’ sensitive information.
Using a free SSL certificate secures data transmitted between the server and browser during user sessions that interact with your site. This is a key element in data protection and, in particular, the new GDPR laws relating to personal data protection.
Confidence:
A green padlock that appears on secured sites can give customers peace of mind that your website can be trusted and that their data are safe. This will lead to change and increased loyalty.
SEO / Search Value:
If your domain has HTTPS in front of www, your website has a clear advantage over the old HTTP attached. This fact comes directly from Google. Google’s search engine prefers Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) pages, evidence from Mozcast shows. Between January and October last year, the number of sites appearing in the top box of Google searches corresponding to HTTPS increased from 25% to 40%.
Mobile technology:
There is one more significant advantage to switching to HTTPS. No serious modern business should overlook mobile technology. Make sure your site is mobile-friendly by considering factors such as page load speed since this is one of the factors that are essential if one wants to succeed in the modern market. The same applies to using the latest SEO strategies.
What else to consider when creating your own website?
Branding:
Your website represents your company. Therefore, it is essential to take a careful look at the brand and why it will help attract visitors and support your overall return on investment. Website branding includes the following:
- Logo
- Tone/main message
- Colour scheme
- Design
- Font
Usability:
Customers are more likely to be drawn to your website if it is easy to use. You can increase the usability of your website by including the following:
- Navigation menu
- Headings and labels
- Search bar
- Mobile-friendly website
Consistent blog:
An active blog on your website keeps your audience engaged. Your blog should provide valuable content to your visitors. Encourage users to spend more time on it.
Website security:
Security threats are the biggest enemy of websites since they are hacked every day. It is therefore recommended to get an SSL certificate, possibly provided for free by certain web hosting providers when using their services.
Solid SEO strategy:
Your website needs a good SEO strategy to make your website successful and must be visible as much as possible, and that’s what SEO does for you when potential visitors use search engines. They often use keywords and terms associated with the content on your site.
Choose a domain name:
Suppose you want to create a website for your business; the same name should only be used for your website. You can think of different names for your website that stands out in order to grab the attention of the possible visitor. After all, the domain name helps to gain brand recognition.
Cost:
Once you have considered all the factors mentioned above, it is time to think about the cost of building your website. You have to ask yourself whether you are hiring someone to help you develop your website or whether you are willing to do the work yourself. There are several low to zero-cost tools that you can use to help you build your website.
