The Google Chrome Site Not Secure Warning is Coming

In July of 2018, Google will release a new version of the popular Chrome web browser that will display a warning designed to make your website visitors think twice before clicking over to your website if you don’t use SSL Encryption. Here’s what you need to know.

Back in October of 2017, I wrote a blog post about the fact that Google was going to start warning people if a site wasn’t secure if it had a form on it and no SSL encryption. Things got a little harry in it because we all had to take some Advil and think of bacon since explaining all the jargon took a lot of brain-bending for those of us who aren’t steeped like a tea bag in code all day long. Well, my friends, Google is at it again and on February 8, 2018, officially announced when they plan to notify visitors to your site if it’s not secure, whether or not your site has a form on it or not.

2018 03 08 The Google Chrome Site Not Secure Warning Is Coming

In July 2018, Google will release a new version of their browser called Chrome 68. I know Chrome 68 might sound like a title for one of those Ed Wood movies from the 1950’s or the newest radioactive isotope, but if you don’t want potential customers to take shelter from your small business website and possibly your business, then you need to take heed of the following information. Google Chrome 68 will display a site not secure warning for all HTTP sites.

You don’t have to worry if you adopt HTTPS encryption before the deadline.

With consumers increasingly concerned about their online privacy and the security of their personal information, and the fact that Google always wants to give their users the best user experience possible, Google has continued to work to help its users be better informed on if the websites they visit are secure and if their information is safe.

As a result, Google has been recommending that all websites adopt a type of encryption called HTTPS. Those letters probably look a little familiar and you’d be right. For years, most website URLs started with HTTP. Then as payment over the internet became possible, the need for a method to encrypt customers’ payment information and other sensitive data became necessary and HTTPS was born. You might remember the older non-secure site warnings from that time.

Then in October 2017, Google announced it was going to increase the types of HTTP sites it was warning weren’t secure to websites that collected any type of information with a form whether that information was private or sensitive.  This was huge news because almost 50% of internet users also use Chrome to search online and 85% of consumers will leave your website if they find out it’s not secure. Come July, whether your website has a form on it or not, if you or web developer hasn’t adopted HTTPS encryption, then any visitor to your site who uses Chrome will be warned that your website isn’t secure.

Your small business’s website needs to be encrypted by July 2018

You must make sure your website is encrypted using HTTPS by July 2018. If it isn’t you might lose customers because of the fact that Google will issue site not secure warnings to all non-encrypted websites, or HTTP sites. How HTTPS encryption works is really complicated, but if you want more detailed information and you’re curious, you can read the post from October 2017 that explains HTTPS and SSL and how website encryption keeps your customers safe and your site secure.

Still confused and need help?

If you’re a BizIQ customer and we’ve built your website, then you’re already covered. We included SSL Encryption and a Global Content Delivery Network (CDN) with all of our online marketing packages as part of our 2017 SecureIQ update. If you’re not a BizIQ customer, or you’re unsure whether your website is secure, there’s no need to go nuclear or bury your head in the sand. We know Google is always changing things and it can be unnerving. If you’re worried about your website, have questions on how to ensure your website is secure and encrypted before the July 2018 deadline, then leave them in the comments below or contact one of the experienced digital marketing consultants here at BizIQ.