Not many businesses realize the importance of website security and the impact it has on their SEO rankings. As the online world progresses, the need for cybersecurity cannot be stressed enough. The fact is that computer hackers have started using sophisticated techniques to harm people. This is why Google and other search engines value website security and consider it to be a useful metric for ranking websites. If you want to stay on top, you need to consider the following tips for improving your website security.
1. HTTPS Is Essential
One of the ways that you can up your SEO game and improve your website security is by using HTTPS. It can help you earn organic search rankings. Now, you need to understand that providing a safe and secure experience should be on the top of your mind. It does not matter whether Google explicitly states website security as a ranking factor or not. You have to ensure that your users are safe when they interact with your website. If your website is not safe and puts users at risk, it would get penalized by Google and your SEO would take a hit. Switching to the HTTPS domain will allow you to secure data on your site. You will have to get an SSL certificate in order to do so.
2. Be Mindful about Getting Blacklisted
Even though you do not have any ill intentions, having a website that is not secure would attract hackers to your website. Since you have already put in so much effort to create your website and improve its ranking, the next thing that you need to do is focus on security. If you do not protect your website, it is likely to get hacked. However, you also have to ensure that you do not get blacklisted. Go through the guidelines prescribed by Google to avoid any mistakes. If your website gets blacklisted, it would take some time for it to jump back. During this period, your competitors could easily capture your share of the market. Hence, you should not take things lightly.
3. Prove to Users That You Are Trustworthy
If you want users to spend time on your website, you have to show them that you can be trusted. The moment someone visits your website for the very first time, they would be on the lookout for red flags. If they realize that there is no HTTPS in your website URL, chances are that they would leave and increase your bounce rate. In case your website has high bounce rates, it is possible for security to be the reason behind it. Therefore, you have to make sure that your users have a positive experience when they visit your website. It is the only way that you improve your SEO game.
Conclusion
After you have finished reading the post, you will know how to improve website security to ensure that your SEO does not get affected. It might be a good idea to work with an expert to stay on the safe side.
