The travel industry keeps on ignoring the latest Google imperative: upgrade to HTTPS, or else…
It is already happening. In fact, Google warned webmasters to switch to HTTPS more than two years ago. For 2018, the search behemoth set a deadline for the month of July. And yet, many hoteliers missed the warning. This is just a reminder to switch to HTTPS as soon as possible. And here are the reasons why (but before, read Google’s own “why HTPPS matters” guidelines:
Top 5 Reasons to Switch to HTTPS Right Now
- Google demands it. And this is using a light term. Please refer to the official Google announcement dated February 2018 to learn why HTTPS is a business imperative right now.
- More than 59% of the Internet users worldwide use Chrome.
“Chrome’s new interface will help users understand that all HTTP sites are not secure, and continue to move the web towards a secure HTTPS web by default.” - HTTPS is the only way to go when you use Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) – and AMP rules. AMP-powered websites load instantly on mobile devices, and mobile is the future.
- HTTPS means that your site is secure (almost) by default. It’s a big deal, and the experts pitch in here.
- Google favors HTTPS sites, so your SEO efforts will be rewarded if you switch now.
- You must switch to HTTPS if you care at all about customer confidence.
So what will it happen if you do not upgrade? In the best case scenario, your potential customers will still see your site, with a small “not secure” warning close to the domain address in the browser. This is how it looks like (and for the sake of argument, this is a 5-star resort somewhere in Europe):
The worst part is when Google decides that your site sucks and displays a screen with the warning “your connection is not private” or some other cryptic message to lead your potential visitors away (again, a hotel website in Europe).
Non-compliance has repercussions – and the most important is less direct bookings. Are you sure you want to lose Chrome customers? According to StatCounter, Chrome owned about 59.67% of the market share worldwide as of to August 2018. That’s massive traffic you could be missing out if you don’t comply.
Need I go on? You don’t need a long story with pros and cons when the obvious screams at you: Google demands HTTPS. Keep on ignoring the obvious at your own peril.