Understanding Google's Bias for HTTPS Websites
Among SEO specialists, it is widely acknowledged that Google showcases a definitive preference for HTTPS websites over their HTTP counterparts as long as other crucial factors like responsive design, speedy page load times, and content quality are equivalent. This noticeable shift has incited numerous debates among the internet community. Such a move has also opened doors for web hosts and SSL providers to try and capitalize on selling more SSL certificates by convincing customers of their indispensable need for better website performance. This brings us to explore a pressing question: Does your website require an SSL certificate?
When is an SSL Certificate Essential?
There exist certain specific scenarios wherein possessing an SSL certificate is necessary and occasionally even non-negotiable:
- Your website is designed to collect sensitive user information like addresses and other identifiable data. Although owning an SSL certificate is not mandated in such contexts, it is highly recommended to build trust and dependability among your users.
- Your site collects and stores important payment information like credit card details. An SSL certificate is mandatory here, and collecting such personal data without SSL support is highly discouraged.
- Your website sells a product but steers clear from collecting any payment details. For instance, you might use PayPal as the primary payment gateway. Hence, users don't have to share their credit card details with you directly. In such settings, an SSL certificate is not necessarily required. However, even a simple SSL certificate can lend credibility to your website in the eyes of the users.
- For membership websites or forums that allow users to sign up and register, an SSL certificate is seldom needed unless payments for premium memberships are being processed.
- For blogs, SSL certificates are generally not needed at all.
In conclusion, the need for an SSL certificate is primarily dictated by the type and function of your website. To gain more insights, an SSL certificate is the way to go if your site collects sensitive user information or sells a product or service that warrants establishing security and trust among your users. However, for other necessities, although an SSL certificate is advantageous to hold, it is not obligatory for your website's overall health.
The Role of SSL Certificates in SEO Strategy
Despite Google's known partiality towards HTTPS, remember that other aspects, such as the uniqueness and quality of your site's content, loading speed, mobile responsiveness, site navigation, and error statuses, influence your website's ranking.
If you are considering an SSL due to budgetary constraints, there are several budget-friendly or free options. Services such as PositiveSSL, RapidSSL, Comodo, and even the new public beta service, Let's Encrypt, offer your site HTTPS free of charge.
