Search Engines Demand Added Security. And It will Impact Your Rankings

We have talked a few times on how most search engines, with Google spearheading the change, are dinging your rankings if you are not offering the most user, mobile and search engine friendly website you can. And now Google is adding another level to their quest and getting tough on websites that are not encrypted.

For those of you who don’t know, an encrypted website is a website that uses a secure connection to access the site and a session key is used to encrypt all transmitted data. Your browser connects to a web server or website secured with an SSL certificate (indicated with https versus http before the domain name). Website that do not use encryption or SSL allows easier access for outsiders to capture potentially secure information, including important user names and passwords.

So you might be wondering how this will effect you. Well, it’s simple: Google Chrome will put a BIG red flag warning to inform internet users that your site has certain unsecured webpages that feature entry fields for sensitive data, such as passwords and credit card numbers. A note of warning will mark any webpages asking for sensitive data that are powered by HTTP—a standard data transmission protocol—rather than HTTPS—and in the address bar, your customers will notice a new prefix: “Non secure.”

Unlike before, HTTPS pages will now have an actual boost in search results and will be shown to users by default. What this mean is you need to ensure you’ve  implemented SSL/HTTPS security certificates properly to provide the best possible experience for visitors and retain your existing search positions.

If you require your customers to give personal information or credit card info to book or buy anything on your marine business website, the Charternet team is here to make the transition as smooth as possible for you. We have been dealing with website encryption and SSL security measures for the marine industry from the very beginning! We can get your SSL certificate bought, installed, and updated yearly so you don’t have to worry about that red flag warning.  Our experience with fishing charters, yacht brokers and water adventure companies combined with good data and knowledge means your marine business can continue doing what you do best and ensure all of your customers information is secure!