Switching to HTTPS

[USACarry]

I'm trying to get my server PCI Compliant and they want me to switch the forums at http://www.usacarry.com/forums/ over to https because of the logins.

Could this possibly affect my existing rankings?

[OlegKorneitchouk]

It should not affect your rankings. Just make sure you take out any references to insecure (http) files so that the pages are fully encrypted.

[Matt-Williamson]

Yes it could affect your current rankings if you don't make sure that you have redirected your http:// versions to your new https:// versions of the page using a 301 redirect as it can create a duplicate content issue. Here is a more in depth look at this in a recent and very well answered Q&A - http://www.seomoz.org/q/duplicate-content-and-http-and-https

Hope this helps!

[OlegKorneitchouk]

Woops, good call. I just assumed he would be forcing https - which is hands down the easiest method and takes care of the duplicate issue.

[Matt-Williamson]

Cheers Oleg, I have just seen the duplicate content issue overlooked so often, so I thought it was important to put this point across and give a useful link to a more in depth look at the solution.