Three Big Changes

1. new, shorter domain name

Long gone are the days of lengthy domain names that were hard to remember and even harder to type. Shorter domain names are easy to remember and type. Shorter domain names have a distinct advantage over longer ones in terms of branding and marketing. They are more memorable and have higher recall, which translates into more traffic and leads for the organization. Shorter domain names are also easier to share on social media platforms, which means that ONHSF can reach a wider audience with minimal effort.

Shorter domain names are not only easier to remember but also more recognizable, which means that they have a higher perceived value. The shorter the domain name, the more professional and credible it appears. Shorter domain names are also easier to optimize for search engines, which means that they are more likely to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs).

2. .extension to better fit ONHSF’s purpose

Domain names are available under a number of extensions. We’ll concern ourselves with .org, .com, and .net domains. The main difference between these three extensions is that .org domains are more specialized and typically used for non-profit organizations, while .com domains are more general-purpose and suitable for businesses, and .net domains are reserved for companies with a global presence.

Our prior domain had a .com extension. Our new domain has a .org extension; more clearly identifying ONHSF as a non-profit organization which can be an important factor for donors.

Redirects to ease the transition

A domain change can be confusing. That’s why we were very careful to set up redirects. URL redirects send users from one URL to another. Whenever a user clicks, types in, or otherwise requests http://omahanorthhighschoolfoundation.com they are automatically redirected to https://onhsf.org.

Why Redirects are important

  • Forward traffic from one URL to another when the old URL no longer exists
  • Forward authority when backlinks point to a page that has been moved
  • Improve the overall user experience by ensuring visitors don’t land on broken or duplicated pages

Email addresses aligned to onhsf.org

All ONHSF emails have been aligned to the new domain. For instance, any email that previously was addressed to golf@omahanorthhighschoolfoundation.com should now be addressed to golf@onhsf.org. Any email sent to the old email address will be automatically transferred to the new email address. Please update any ONHSF email addresses in your address book – the new onhsf.org email addresses are significantly easier to remember and type.

3. change in protocols ensures security

As more of our daily activities move online, it’s important to take steps to ensure our internet use is secure. One simple way to do this is by choosing to browse websites that use HTTPS. HTTPS is a protocol that encrypts the connection between a user’s device and a website, making it more difficult for hackers to intercept sensitive information. Previously the ONHSF website was using the HTTP protocol (http://omahanorthhighschoolfoundation.com). Our new website is using the HTTPS protocol for all traffic between your browser and the site (https://onhsf.org).

Why HTTPS is essential for safe web browsing

When we browse the web, we’re often sharing sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card details, and personal data. If this information falls into the wrong hands, it can be used for identity theft, fraud, or other malicious activities. HTTPS helps protect against this by encrypting the data that’s sent between our browser and the website we’re visiting. This means that even if a hacker intercepts our connection, they won’t be able to read the data that’s being transmitted.

Another reason why HTTPS is essential for safe web browsing is that it helps prevent man-in-the-middle attacks. In a man-in-the-middle attack, a hacker intercepts the connection between a user and a website, allowing them to eavesdrop on the data that’s being transmitted. By using HTTPS, we can ensure that the connection to the website is secure, making it much more difficult for a hacker to intercept our data.

Finally, HTTPS helps protect against phishing attacks. In a phishing attack, a hacker creates a fake website that looks like a legitimate one, often with the goal of stealing the user’s login credentials. By using HTTPS, we can be sure that we’re visiting the genuine website, as only legitimate websites will have an HTTPS connection.

Why we chose HTTPS for ONHSF.org

At ONHSF, we take security seriously, which is why we use HTTPS for all of our web pages. Here are the top three reasons why we choose HTTPS:

  1. Encryption: By using HTTPS, we can ensure that any data that’s transmitted between our users and our website is encrypted, making it much more difficult for hackers to intercept.
  2. Trust: By using HTTPS, we can show our users that we take security seriously and that they can trust us with their sensitive information.
  3. Compliance: Many regulations, such as the GDPR, require websites to use HTTPS to protect user data. By using HTTPS, we can ensure that we’re compliant with these regulations and that we’re doing everything we can to protect our users’ privacy.

HTTPS benefits

Protect your personal information

In addition to blocking prying eyes, HTTPS can also prevent internet service providers and government agencies from tracking your online activities. With HTTPS, you’ll be able to browse the web anonymously and keep your private life private.

Boost the website’s SEO

Google and other search engines give HTTPS-enabled websites a boost in their search rankings because they consider HTTPS to be a sign of quality and trustworthiness. By switching to HTTPS, you’ll not only make your website more secure but also more visible to potential visitors.

HTTPS is essential for safe web browsing, and we’re proud to use it for all of our web pages at ONHSF.org. By choosing HTTPS, we can ensure that our users’ data is encrypted, that they can trust us with their sensitive information, and that we’re compliant with regulations. So the next time you’re browsing the web, make sure to look for the HTTPS padlock in your browser’s address bar and choose websites that prioritize your security.

The net effect of these 3 changes:

a web address for ONHSF that is easier to remember and share

a site experience that is secure for sharing sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card details, and personal data

a web address that readily reflects ONHS’s purpose:

…to provide scholarships to graduating seniors and improve educational opportunities for all students at North High School.