Time To Go HTTP2 and Speed Up future Growth

Sites are getting bigger, offering more features, more rich media and users are demanding a more immersive experience from websites. Digital Marketers and UX want better performance, more tracking, deeper insight, more customer touch points and better optimization. All this means better quality images, more video, more CSS, more javascript, more cookies and a host of other libraries. So where do we draw the line? Something has got to give, which is speed. Now that you see the problem. What if I told you, you could have all that and more speed. What if I told you, you could use fewer resources and waste less dev time optimizing for speed? You'd probably be all ears, and yes there is a way, introducing HTTP2 the updated protocol framework that lets us have our cake buttered on both sides before we eat it.

What is HTTP2?

HTTP/2 is a much-needed refresh of the HTTP protocol which we've been living with since 1997. The protocol brings with it vast improvements in communication between browsers and servers, reducing load times and catering to the needs of the modern website.

What HTTP2 means for your site?

1. HTTPS Improvements Include

HTTP2 brings along with it Single Connection, Multiplexing, Server Push, Prioritization, Binary, Header Compression which all help change the way developers see current best practice. Current HTTP1.1 best practices that will now be seen for what they really are, hacks or workarounds covering over the performance limitations HTTP 1.1.

2. Support For HTTP2

Most major server software providers such as Apache, NGINX, and IIS already support HTTP/2.

3. HTTPS and HTTP2 Go Hand In Hand

While HTTP/2 supports both secure and non-secure connections, both Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome will only support HTTP/2 over HTTPS.

4. SEO Benefits

GoogleBot will be adding support for HTTP/2, websites that support the protocol and will likely see an additional rankings boost from speed and interaction rate increases because of it. Additionally with Chrome and Firefox only supporting HTTP/2 over HTTPS, many websites that have not yet upgraded to HTTPS may see an additional boost in rankings when they do, which Google has already stated is now a ranking factor.

5. Mobile Rankings

Seeing as Google has announced to split its indexing and mobile will have its own ranking and index being more considerate of Mobile will be key. This is where HTTP/2 can truly shine as it thrives on slower connections such as mobile networks. Without needing the additional round trips, the load time on slower mobile networks is reduced significantly. HTTP/2 could even reduces the load times more than Google AMP (which you should be well aware that i'm not a fan of).

What HTTP2 means for your users

Speed, speed, and of course a little more speed, providing a better user experience across Desktop, Tablet and Mobile browsers. This is great news for responsive sites in markets where mobile visits are exceeding desktop visits. HTTP2 is also backward compatible so if some unfortunate person is still using an HTTP 1.1 supported browser they're experience of your site will be as it always was.

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Tags: How to, SEO