Long question short - do you charge an existing client to migrate their website from http to https? Even with a "free" ssl certificate? Or is the expectation that existing clients are not charged for this service? Thoughts? 

It depends. Most clients get the cert through their hosting company so I don’t get involved in the process.

if they do need help it depends again on the client and the support package they have.

Normally yes, not actually to install as most hosts do this as part of the price, but to ensure it's done correctly e.g. htaccess and checking for mixed content, then updating GA, WMT, then updating Google Business and other sites like Trustpilot etc. It all takes time.

Edited April 18, 20188 yr by BrowserBugs

So even though the SSL is free, it is still fair to charge for my time to "upgrade" existing client websites from http to https? I appreciate this feedback. I was waivering there for a moment. Let's hope my clients agree with you. Thank you again. 

I'd say everything that takes more than 15 mins should be chargeable  

2 hours ago, teodora said:

I'd say everything that takes more than 15 mins should be chargeable  

Good point. Me personally with regular clients they each have an 'odds and sods' time sheet which I bill when it's worth the effort. If clients thought I only bill after 15 mins they would try and game it lol

15 minute increments.

1 hour ago, BrowserBugs said:

Good point. Me personally with regular clients they each have an 'odds and sods' time sheet which I bill when it's worth the effort. If clients thought I only bill after 15 mins they would try and game it lol

Yeah, that's a point but the way I see it you can't fit 2 hour work into 15 mins. Depends on the client and whether you've had a long relationship - if someone approaches you out of the blue, I don't think you (or anyone) would spend any time working for free.