When it comes to the internet, Google has a pretty big say in what stays and what goes. These days, Google Chrome, the web company's web browser, is the most widely used among the slew of options. And the number of people who use Google as their search engine is so far ahead of Bing and Yahoo that the company has the power to make and change the rules as they see fit. So, when Google announced in February that they are going to flag HTTP website as "Not Secure" in the newest Chrome browser, people perked up and took notice. But what does that mean, exactly?

What is HTTPS?

Hypertext Transfer Protocol, or HTTP, is a language that computers across the internet agree to use while sharing information. It’s the way your computer's browser reads and displays a website hosted on another server. That's great! But the internet is a wild place, full of people and robots with questionable intentions. The internet needed a way to move information that was more secure. 

Enter HTTPS. The "S" standing for secure. HTTPS works by encrypting the information moving back and forth between your computer and the web server.

Chrome's Big Update

Google has been urging web owners to switch to HTTPS for a while. You may have noticed that certain websites are already listed as "Not Secure" in the URL bar. With the release of Google Chrome 68 in July 2018, the newest version of the browser, all non-HTTPS websites will display a "Not Secure" notification next to the address bar, similar to this one. 

If you happen to be browsing the internet and you land on a website that Google Chrome flags as "Not Secure", someone or something could be intercepting the information your computer is sending to the website. This especially becomes problematic when you are entering any personal information, like your phone number or credit card. Browsing on an HTTPS site means that specific measures have been taken to protect your privacy and security, which has taken center stage over the years.

So What Does That Mean For A Homebuilder?

As a homebuilder in 2018, more and more potential homebuyers are viewing photos, downloading brochures, and virtually touring houses from your website. Think of your site as a virtual model home. Just like a real model home, your visitors need to feel safe so they can focus on you and you can focus on building their dream home. When your site comes up as Google-approved for security, your site’s visitors will feel comfortable giving you the valuable information you need to market to them effectively. 

And here’s another reason to move to an HTTPS website: You could get an SEO bump. Some independent studies have found that having an HTTPS website could serve as a tie-breaker when compared to an unsecured HTTP website.

At Builder Designs, we know that a website is the foundation of every homebuilder’s marketing plan. It's where all of your digital efforts direct visitors—from broadcast email, search engine marketing, social media, and your listings on Zillow and Trulia. That's why we’ve been building websites for our clients using HTTPS for some time now. We want our client's visitors to know that their information is secure.

More Changes to Come

As we all should know, the internet is an ever-evolving landscape. As of October 30, 2018, Google AdWords will require all URLs that contain tags, or UTM codes, to be HTTPS—and reject any that don’t conform. These URLs are vital for measuring performance and attributing the success of ads to specific campaigns. 

Transitioning sites to HTTPS is becoming more of a requirement than just an option, as it has been. At Builder Designs, we create websites that actually sell homes and that starts with safety.  Have questions on how you can make your website secure? Let us know!