Since the release of Google Chrome 68 in July 2018, the browser has identified and classified all websites that use the HTTP transfer protocol as unsafe. This implies that Google will only support websites that use the HTTPS encryption protocol, giving a clear message to those website owners who have previously refused to use HTTPS.
For yourShopify store, one of the first things you should do to your website is to make it HTTPS compatible, if you haven’t already. Google considers hundreds of criteria when determining a webpage’s ranking (and visibility) in its search results, and HTTPS is undoubtedly one of them.
This is why many Shopify store owners have been employing this secure standard for quite some time. When accessing a website that isn’t safe, you may see error messages from Google which have a big negative impact on your site’s ranking ability.
What is an SSL Certificate?
It’s still necessary to grasp the fundamentals of HTTPS, even if you don’t want to get too deep into the technical intricacies.
“Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure” (HTTPS) is a protocol based on HTTP, with the “S” indicating that the website being viewed has an additional security precaution in the form of an SSL certificate (Secure Sockets Layer).
The new standard was intended to make websites safer for visitors, or more specifically, to make user data transmission more secure (e.g. credit card information).
The SSL certificate encrypts all information sent to the website
How to Get an SSL Certificate for Your eCommece Store
Your hosting provider’s custom area settings can be used to activate the SSL certificate. The certificate may be integrated or activated through the e-commerce platform you’re using for your online shop after it’s placed on your server and ready to use.
The processes for integrating HTTPS into your business differ significantly depending on the e-commerce platform you’re using.
Visitors to your store will notice the HTTPS format in the URL and the little green lock on the left side of the URL as soon as you add the SSL certificate in your business.
The appearance of the lock may differ from one browser to the next, but it will always be visible. As a result, people will be confident that shopping at your online store is “safe.”
Benefits of Adding an SSL Certificate
The following are some of the benefits of using the HTTPS protocol in URLs for online merchants:
- Increase the protection of your online store’s data. Your site’s data is encrypted, making it extremely impossible to hack.
- Increased customer confidence in your store and brand. Users will feel comfortable browsing through your business if they see the little lock in the URL.
- Increased conversions. By building trust, your visitors will have no reservations about doing particular activities in your business, such as registering or making a purchase.
- Improved search engine rankings. Websites with HTTPS integration, as Google indicated back in 2014, are more likely to rank better in search results.
Enhancing Your Shopify Store with ShopFox
When customers and potential buyers visit an online store, one of the first things they look at is the URL. They will get a negative opinion of the shop and abandon the page if they believe the URL, and hence the entire website, is not safe.
With HTTPS you can take the first step towards creating confidence among your customers and they won’t hesitate to continue browsing around your website. Additionally, your online store’s organic search ranking will improve and your company will prevent security flaws.
For more help in growing your Shopify store, try our Shopify apps designed to increase sales and grow your store!
Proofer Proof Management – That extra pair of hands you always needed for your customised products.
FraudBlock – Goodbye fraud and refund fees, hello more free time!
AutoSync for Square – Automation for your Shopify and Square inventories. Simple.
