Glossary · Technical

HTTPS and SSL certificates.

HTTPS encrypts the connection between the visitor and the site. Without it Chrome prints “Not secure” beside the address, on every page, on every visit.

Why it matters.

2,594 small business sites in our GTA survey are still served without it. Certificates are free and issued automatically by every serious host, so the fix is usually an afternoon: issue the certificate, repair any images or scripts still requested insecurely, then redirect the old addresses permanently. The ranking effect is small; the effect on someone deciding whether to fill in your form is not.

How to check it yourself.

Look at the address bar on your own site in Chrome. "Not secure" beside your domain is the whole diagnosis, and the fix is usually an afternoon of your host's time.

Questions

Asked often.

How do I check https and ssl certificates on my own site?

Look at the address bar on your own site in Chrome. "Not secure" beside your domain is the whole diagnosis, and the fix is usually an afternoon of your host's time.

Now check your own

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