Using https: Beyond the standard seo metrics

[Tmon]

Hi All,

I've been doing quite a bit of browsing around the topic of utilising https vs http when constructing urls and I wanted to know if anybody has research on the customer perception of a site where all urls are https. We originally used rel canonical tags to inform the browsers that the http and https were the same but we are considering stepping this up to having the http pages redirect to the https and I'm wondering how customers may react if they know that all pages are https.

Anybody have insights on possible outcomes?

Thanks,

Tom

[TomRayner]

Hi Tom (great name)

I work in an industry where security is paramount.  From what I have seen for a region where we made the switch to all https (after doing what you have done beforehand as well), I can tell you that it has been very well received.  It's actually a bit of a selling point for us - we're able to say that every part of our site is SSL protected and customers like that, it gives an extra layer of security for them.  And, so far at least, we've not experienced any negative connotations with the move, with people being put off or confused by the switch.

I actually think we're on our way to a more secure web and more HTTPS being the norm.  SEO wise, there's even been talk of SSL sites being seen more favourably than non-SSL sites, although I'd say we're a long way off from that.

I would make the change if you think it will be beneficial to your clients - which I think for the most part it will.  Make sure you take care of the necessary SEO steps like canonicals/redirects, but it sounds like you're well ahead on that front.

Hope this helps

Tom