HTTP to HTTPs: Checklist for Moving Website HTTP to HTTPs
In this video, Bill Hartzer shares his checklist for moving your website from HTTP to HTTPs, and making your website secure using SSL. https://www.billhartzer.com/
Preparation
Move all content or partial content?
Prepare site (internal links, canonical tags, etc.)
Review links to site, identify links to update
List of Social accounts, profiles to update
Google Webmaster Tools review
Site Preparation
Ensure internal links point to https
Check CMS settings (i.e., WordPress, etc.)
Check canonical tags
Check image, CSS, JavaScript URLs (all URLs)
Set up 301 redirects (.htaccess file, etc.)
Redirects
Apache sample redirect code:
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule (.*) https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [R=301,L]
Plan for Moving
When will you switch/move?
Detail process for moving
Internal company: who is responsible for what?
Moving Day
Once the switch is made:
Verify Google Webmaster Tools
Test Site:
– Test SSL (Qualys Lab tool)
– Test for Heartbleed vulnerability
– Server header check
– Crawl site (Screaming Frog SEO Spider)
– Switch Social Media Profiles
– Check Google Analytics for Referrers
After Moving Day
Update and watch Google Analytics
Update social media accounts, profiles
Update email signatures with new URL
Update company themes/templates
Start contacting link owners
