When you visit a website, do you often think about all the things that are going on in the background to make that site work? If your answer is “absolutely not” then you’re part of the majority. However, this way of thinking needs to change, especially if you operate a small business that depends on technology and web traffic to flourish (which, in 2016, most do). This is because the “behind-the-scenes” activities are about to change whether we are ready or not, so it’s best to prepare your business for the transformation. Understanding the new HTTP/2 is a good place to start.

What is HTTP?

The Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is what establishes a connection between a user’s browser and a server’s host. It is used every time you open a webpage on the Internet, and every time you search for something online.

The last time HTTP was updated was 1999, so I’d say it’s time for an upgrade. The previous version of HTTP (HTTP/1.1) did not do well with retrieving the nearly 1.9MB of data needed to load modern websites. Webpages, and the Internet in general, has changed so much since the implementation of HTTP/1.1. In case you’re having trouble remembering what the technology of old was like, here is what your computer probably looked like in 1999:

computer

This was also the time period that AOL dominated the Internet.

aol

And Apple was just another struggling computer company.

apple

So again, it was definitely time to change with the times. Thus, the introduction of HTTP/2. Hopefully this upgrade will be a positive thing for both the Internet and your business, and understand how it works is the first step.

What is HTTP/2?

HTTP/2 is the newest version of the network protocol used by the World Wide Web. HTTP/2 was first introduced in February of 2015, and by the end of last year most Internet browsers had switched over to using it. So there’s a good chance that you’ve been using it too, maybe even without realizing it. According to Wikipedia, 6.7% of the top 10 million websites support HTTP/2 as of February 2016. Can I Use states that 71.14% of global browsers also support HTTP/2, including Chrome, FireFox, Internet Explorer, Safari, and Edge. In other words, you’re probably using it without even realizing it.

Differences Between HTTP and HTTP/2

The main difference is the way data is transported between the user and the server. Other aspects of HTTP/1.1, like URLs, will stay the same. Websites will continue to work the same way they have in the past, just with added speed, so it’s a win-win situation. If you’re interested in a more in-depth analysis, check out Wikipedia’s page on HTTP/2. They do a good job of explaining the intricate details of the switch.

So now that you’re more familiar with HTTP/2, I’m sure you’re wondering:

How will it affect your business?

Do you need to change your website?

  • One of the biggest questions out there is “will we have to change our websites?” The short answer is, no. Again, HTTP/2 is very compatible with HTTP/1, so according to Smashing Magazine, you could completely ignore the switch and still be totally fine. Your website will continue to operate as usual, with the only noticeable change being an increase in speed when loading a page.

Update your server software

  • That being said, although you do not have to change your website, you may need to update your server software. Does your website generate a lot of traffic from people who use current browsers? If so, many of your clients probably use HTTP/2, and therefore you need to make sure your server software is compatible. If most of your users tend to use older browsers, you probably don’t need to worry about this right now. Eventually everyone will make the switch, but people who use browsers like Chrome and Firefox will need to do so before those who use browsers like Safari.

Use a secure connection: HTTPS

  • In their article “Getting Ready for HTTP/2”, Smashing Magazine states that the biggest hurdle for business owners may not be HTTP/2 at all; instead, it might be that website users will now be required to run their site over a secure, encrypted connection. This means you need to create or update your website to function on HTTPS NOW. Otherwise, it could get flagged as not having a secure connection, and some features may not be available to users. Google uses HTTPS as a ranking signal, and browsers are starting to flag non-HTTPS websites as “insecure.” Visitors to your site will have to find some other client to access it, or miss out completely. You definitely don’t want that for your business. The good news is, many hosts are now offering free TLS certificates, so cost should not be an issue when switching your site over to a secure connection.

SEO

  • John Mueller of Google states that Googlebot will support HTTP/2. Google made a lot of algorithm changes in January, and it’s very difficult to tell if this is one of them. However, even if the switch does not increase your SEO rankings, it’s still a positive thing for your business (and your users) to have a website that loads quickly.
  • According to Search Engine Journal, right now there are not a lot of SEO companies, such as No Risk SEO, that offer support for HTTP/2. This is pretty surprising considering many companies use increased site speed as one of their taglines for attracting new customers. Perhaps it’s too early on in the game; this may change as more browsers start to implement HTTP/2.

Ultimately, the upgrade should be a positive thing for business owners and Internet users in general. In a world where we want everything to work quickly, HTTP/2 should not disappoint. The question is, are you ready?

Now that you (hopefully) understand more about the switch to HTTP/2, what are you going to do about it? This should be an easy answer—make the switch! Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.