Implementing an SSL certificate requires making a series of changes to the target website. Errors made in the process directly affect the site’s usability. To prevent this, one should properly prepare the changes and carefully monitor the entire implementation process. What should be kept in mind?
No redirection from the HTTP version
When implementing an SSL certificate, many users forget to ensure proper redirections. The presence of the protocol creates two versions of the site: a secured HTTPS one and a regular HTTP one. Both versions are accessible not only to users but also to search engine algorithms. As a result, Google’s robots may treat one variant as a duplicate. Introducing redirects from the HTTP site after implementing SSL ensures that content found under the certificate-free address will be recognized by Google as available only in the HTTPS version. This way, you can avoid both duplicating the website and sending visitors to the wrong version.
Incorrect website indexing
Another common error when implementing an SSL certificate is improper website indexing. In such cases, it is crucial to check whether the site with the HTTPS address is accessible to Google at all. Certain subpages may be blocked from indexing, which should be thoroughly verified. Incorrect indexing can prevent Google’s robots from reaching your site, causing you to lose potential customers who cannot find your page in search results. Moreover, SSL certificates often require manually indexing the homepage and the most important categories.
Errors in linking, hyperlinks, and files
Many of the mistakes made during SSL certificate implementation have a negative impact on the site’s functionality. This includes incorrect addresses placed in hyperlinks and image files, as well as unchecked canonical links. These issues often make it difficult for users to navigate the website seamlessly and disrupt Google’s algorithms. HTTP addresses may be included in, for instance, AdWords ads, and combined with faulty external linking, this can greatly impede potential customers from finding the site—even if redirects are in place. Additionally, inbound links can lose value, reducing the effectiveness of the site’s search engine ranking. Another important factor is page loading speed, which can sometimes slow down after encryption is introduced.
No sitemap update
Once an SSL certificate is implemented, remember to generate a new sitemap containing HTTPS addresses. This step positively influences your site’s indexing by Google. The generated sitemap should then be uploaded to Search Console to accelerate indexing and enhance how Google’s robots interpret the new version of the site. As a result, you can achieve your desired outcomes much faster.
No verification of correct SSL implementation
After implementing an SSL certificate, it is crucial to thoroughly verify all the changes made. Numerous tools can be used to perform an in-depth check. If you do not verify the correctness of the HTTPS protocol implementation, you risk missing errors on the site that are not immediately visible. It is also a good idea to change your site’s address in Google Analytics, as failing to do so will effectively prevent the collection of accurate analytical data.