HTTPS and SEO: why every site needs SSL

HTTPS encrypts the connection between visitors and your site. Search engines treat it as a ranking signal, and browsers mark plain HTTP pages as "Not secure".

What to check

• Your certificate is valid and not about to expire: use the SSL checker.
• Every http:// address redirects to https:// with a 301.
• Pages do not load images or scripts over http:// (mixed content). The mixed content checker finds them.
• Forms send data to https:// addresses.
• Consider HSTS so browsers always use HTTPS: check it with the HSTS checker.

Switching to HTTPS

1. Install a certificate (many hosts offer free ones).
2. Redirect every HTTP address to its HTTPS version.
3. Update internal links, canonical tags and the sitemap.
4. Run a site audit to catch anything missed.

Common problems after switching

• Mixed content: images or scripts still load over http://, so browsers show warnings.
• Old internal links still pointing to http://, causing a redirect on every click.
• Canonical tags and sitemaps still listing http:// addresses.
• Redirect chains: http://www → https://www → https://. Redirect straight to the final address in one hop.

Certificate renewals

Many free certificates last a few months and renew automatically. If the renewal fails, visitors see a frightening warning. Check expiry dates regularly with the SSL checker, and make sure someone gets the renewal emails.

Beyond the padlock

HTTPS is the base. Add security headers and keep software updated: a hacked site loses trust and rankings far faster than an HTTP site ever did.