The verdict in three sentences
HTTPS is a ranking signal and a trust marker: an HTTP site shows "Not secure" and loses visitors. The SSL certificate costs 0 to 75,000 FCFA/year depending on type, but the danger isn't the price: it's a botched migration that breaks redirects and tanks traffic. Follow an 8-step procedure to migrate cleanly and even gain ranking.
SSL: what it really costs
Not all certificates are equal, but for most sites a free certificate is enough. Here are the 2026 options.
| SSL type | Cost /year | Use | Validation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Let's Encrypt (DV) | 0 FCFA | showcase, blog | domain |
| Paid DV | 10,000 – 25,000 FCFA | standard SME | domain |
| OV (organization) | 30,000 – 50,000 FCFA | e-commerce | company |
| EV (extended) | 50,000 – 75,000 FCFA | bank, institution | legal |
| Wildcard | 40,000 – 70,000 FCFA | subdomains | domain |
For 90% of sites, free Let's Encrypt does the job. Reserve OV/EV for financial and institutional players.
The 8-step migration procedure
Each step protects ranking. Skip one and you risk a traffic drop.
| # | Step | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Install the SSL certificate | enable HTTPS |
| 2 | Force HTTP→HTTPS redirect | global 301 |
| 3 | Redirect each URL with 301 | preserve SEO |
| 4 | Update internal links | avoid mixed content |
| 5 | Fix canonical tags | point to HTTPS |
| 6 | Regenerate and submit sitemap | reindexing |
| 7 | Add security headers | HSTS, CSP, X-Frame |
| 8 | Monitor Search Console | catch errors |
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Mini case study
Moussa has a services site in Thiès on HTTP, 3,200 visits/month, 61% bounce rate. The browser shows "Not secure," scaring off prospects. He migrates to HTTPS with Let's Encrypt (0 FCFA) and 48 301 redirects, migration service ~120,000 FCFA. After 6 weeks: bounce drops to 49% (-12 pts), indexing is clean in Search Console and organic traffic gains +14%. The one-time cost is covered in the first month by new leads.
FAQ
Does HTTPS really improve SEO? Yes, it's a confirmed ranking factor and reduces bounce rate by removing the "Not secure" warning. The effect is strongest on mobile.
Is a free certificate reliable? Yes: Let's Encrypt (DV) encrypts as well as a paid one for a showcase site or blog. OV/EV only adds identity validation useful to banks and institutions.
Will I lose traffic by migrating? Not if each URL is 301-redirected and the sitemap resubmitted. A clean migration keeps over 95% of ranking.
What is "mixed content"? Resources (images, scripts) still called over HTTP on an HTTPS page. It triggers a warning; we fix it in step 4.
How long before I see the effect? Plan 4 to 8 weeks for full reindexing and traffic stabilization, to monitor in Search Console.
Let's talk about your project. We migrate your site to HTTPS with no downtime or SEO loss, security headers included. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
