I did it last fall and didn't realize at the time that IDXBroker wasn't utilizing it yet. It totally messed up my site. So, I currently have it inactive until IDXBroker can support SSL. I'm told it's coming soon....   

Google will give preference to an Https page (SSL cert) over a HTTP if and only if the two have similar domain/page authority. 

Laymen's terms. If two websites are in a race and arrive at the finish line at the exact same time the one with the greater site security will win. 

The realtors that should pay attention to this are as follows: 

• You work in a MAJOR metro market. Miami| LA | Dallas as examples OR
• You work in niche market but have stiff online competition IE: Steamboat Springs | Palm Spings | Austin

Essentially if you feel like there is an online race that MIGHT be close then an Https upgrade might be called for. Expect a temporary ranking drop when you upgrade. You are changing ALL of your URLs. While most providers redirect these automatically on older websites you'll be getting some temporary errors that you won't be aware of unless you are logged into your Google Search Console. These usually sort themselves out. One last note.  

Random fact. You might know https adds a layer of encryption to data being transferred from a website to website user. Did you know why Google is trying to make it the defacto protocol? 

Answer: in 2016 Mobile devices consumed more web pages than desktops. Mobile devices are much easier to hack than desktops. With usage only expected to grow Google is making an attempt to make the web a more secure place. 

If you happen to own an e-commerce website you'll want to get an SSL cert stat. 

I went down that rabbit hole about a month ago.  I wrote a post about it. Not there yet.  Other service providers have some work to do before all the stars will be aligned to make the move. 

What is an SSL cert and what is it supposed to do for your site?

Nathan,

I have read pros and cons.  On Google's blog, they talk of those with passwords that involve credit cards.  On our website, when we access it through our password it switches modes to SSL.  A

I'm not sure what an SSL certificate is for. Reading other's comment now.......

My blog is SSL certified but apart from that security I can't say I have seen any other impact. My content will have a far greater impact I think, unless I am missing something. Will readers notice that the site is SSL certified? I suspect not

parked and reading...

Good morning Nathan,

Interesting question, after reading the comments, I will stay put:)

I've not added it yet, once the new site goes live so will the ssl

Nathan Gesner - this is one thing I need to focus on - my own website! Right now, it's through Market Leader.

No.

Not I

 I yield to Inbound Real Estate Marketing !

No

No I haven't. I have read from other members that making the change messed up other functions.

I tried but the platform I use doesn't have that option yet.

I have not added that....but will be back to read more comments....

We did based on knowledge learned in Active Rain. As soon as it was activated, noted a huge SEO increase in one key word phrase, which went away in a few days. Hoping long term this will add value.

Isnt this just something that is needed for sites that collect financial info?

@Nathan Gesner

I would also like to know what this SSL certification is all about.  Is this something that is or will be mandatory?

Have not done so!

No not yet. I was actually going to ask that question here. I don't remember what GoDaddy wanted for it - $59 or $79? Maybe others with some info will chime in.

I will check into this one

Yes it was built in to the current website and plan on it in the future as well

I thought I heard IDX Broker was in progress of getting the SSL certificate.   

Nathan - I have not felt the need to do it, but if I were asking for people's credit card info on my website, I would probably have it.

Parked - after reading Kathleen Daniels post about her escapades with it, I'm terrified!  I believe this will be something that I hire out!

my husband had it installed on his website and it did absolutely noting.  I think it matters more when security is needed like selling things and credit card transactions.

No I have not.  I have long been a critic of this as not being neccessary for the majority of real estate websites and I stand behind that.  I have not and will not encrypt mine, even if I'm the last unencrypted site on the planet.  As an Information Security practictioner and one who has encrypted many an ecommerce site for companies we all know, I am fully aware of the merits of SSL.  None of them apply to my site.  Precious few of them apply to any real estate site.

Zillow is unencrypted.  Active Rain is unencrypted.  I'm not worried.  So what if my login box has a warning now that the data isn't encrypted?  Big whoop!  SSL encryption can easily be defeated at a public hotspot.  For $250 you can become that hotspot, be a "Man in the middle" passing credentials and SSL certs back and forth.  The end user and the site will never know the difference.

No.

Great answers and with our next site we definitely will do so.

I've not thought about this at all just yet.