What’s Happening?
You may – or may not – already be aware of Google’s new HTTPS secure website update due for release very soon. If you haven’t read up on this yet then please look at our previous blog post here for the full details on what you need to know and how to proceed accordingly.
In short, any website that is not HTTPS will be flagged by Google Chrome as not being secure. Obviously for any online shops this could have a massive impact with customers who are looking for stores they can trust and enter their card details into safely – especially since there are still plenty of potential buyers who don’t necessarily trust internet payments already.
The last thing any company wants to do is stop clients from purchasing from them.
Why are eBay Releasing Another Update?
For once it seems, this update is not because of eBay’s own decision, but actually caused by Google. The hugely popular internet browser will be flagging all non-HTTPS links as “not secure” from October 2017. This is a massive issue for eBay because approximately half of their buyers use Chrome as their default browser. Consequently, eBay will be changing all links for items to begin with HTTPS and will be doing this with store links as well. However, it will be sellers’ responsibility to check links, images etc. within their own listings.
When is this Happening?
The official update from eBay will go live in October. An exact date hasn’t been set but we’re working as if it was the 1st. Our free fix will be released this week through which all of our clients can have their Jarilo HTTP links fixed free of charge. In the past we’ve created purpose-built websites for free automatic fixes and we’re doing it again now to make sure you are compliant.
What Could Need Changing in my Listing?
First and foremost, your Jarilo designs and/or code may need updating to HTTPS and that is why we’re releasing a free fix imminently. All of our clients will be alerted when the website for this goes live so don’t worry about missing a beat.
If you use images or anything from other sources within your item descriptions then you must check these websites are also HTTPS, or will become so. If not, you will need to change where you get this information from / where you host your images. Any listings that include non-HTTPS will be flagged as not secure by Chrome.
What Happens if I Stay as HTTP?
eBay have already shown how they’re going to tackle this, as you can see in the below image. Basically, the listings will operate similarly to the mobile site. They will be less user friendly due to requiring an extra click which opens up the item description in another tab. It’s very easy for customers to miss this data, thereby assuming there is no main description for the item they’re looking at in your store and going elsewhere to find what they need.
If you’re still unsure about the HTTPS update or have any questions, feel free to contact us on 0151 601 4695 or sales@jarilo.co.uk
