Now that most of our searches, whether for information or services, are done on the internet, ensuring your visitors’ safety and your website is optimized for search engines is important. Therefore, the first step to take before launching your website is to ensure it works with a secure connection, specifically HTTPS.
While they may look similar in the browser’s address bar, the difference between them is massive, especially when it comes to user security and search engine optimization (SEO). In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about HTTP and HTTPS, why it matters for your online visibility, and how you can easily make the switch especially since our shared hosting plans include a free SSL certificate to help you do it effortlessly.
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What’s the Difference Between HTTP and HTTPS?
HTTP: The Basic Web Protocol
HTTP, or HyperText Transfer Protocol, is the traditional protocol used for transferring data between a web browser and a website. When you enter a URL into your browser and it begins with “http://”, your device is communicating with that website using this protocol.
The problem with HTTP is that it doesn’t offer any form of encryption. That means all the data shared between your device and the website, whether it’s a simple page view or sensitive information like passwords or payment details, is transmitted in plain text. Anyone monitoring the connection can see or steal this data. While this might have been acceptable in the early days of the web when most sites were purely informational, today it presents serious risks.
HTTPS: Secure and Encrypted Communication
HTTPS stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure. It’s essentially HTTP with a layer of security on top, provided by an SSL or TLS certificate. When you visit a website with HTTPS, all the data transferred is encrypted, meaning no one else can read it, not even your internet service provider (ISP), hackers, or malicious actors.
This is especially important when users are entering personal or financial information. But even for sites that don’t handle sensitive data, HTTPS is still recommended because it builds trust, keeps your site credible, and meets modern web standards. Browsers like Chrome now flag HTTP sites as “Not Secure,” and users may leave a page if they feel it isn’t safe. HTTPS is now the standard, not the exception.
Why HTTPS Matters for Security, Trust, and User Experience
Encryption Protects Your Visitors
The most obvious benefit of HTTPS is encryption. When users visit your site, they may be filling out forms, logging into accounts, or simply browsing your content. If this interaction happens over HTTP, any data they enter is vulnerable to interception. On public Wi-Fi networks especially, attackers can monitor traffic and steal data, sometimes without users ever realizing it. HTTPS uses SSL/TLS encryption to scramble data as it moves between the browser and the web server, making it virtually impossible for outsiders to intercept or alter it.
Building User Trust Is Crucial for Engagement
In an age where data breaches are common, users are becoming increasingly cautious about which websites they trust. When a browser displays a warning saying “This site is not secure,” many users immediately leave. On the flip side, when a site has a little padlock icon next to its URL, it sends a signal that it’s verified and safe to use. This trust is critical not just for user safety but also for engagement and conversion rates. If users feel your site isn’t trustworthy, they’ll be less likely to subscribe, buy, or return. HTTPS is a simple but powerful way to build that trust.
Authentication Ensures You’re the Real Deal
Beyond encryption, HTTPS also offers authentication. When you install an SSL/TLS certificate, it verifies that your website is actually yours and not a fake or spoofed version. This protects users from phishing attacks, where criminals build fake websites to steal information. It also prevents content injection, where ISPs or hackers insert ads, malware, or spam into your website without your consent. HTTPS ensures that your site loads exactly as you intended, giving both you and your users peace of mind.
HTTPS and SEO: How Secure Sites Rank Better
Google Rewards Secure Websites
Back in 2014, Google made it clear that HTTPS is a ranking signal. That means all other things being equal, a site using HTTPS will rank higher in search engine results than a similar site using HTTP. While it may not be the strongest ranking factor, it’s still part of the equation,and when you’re competing for traffic, every little advantage helps.
Google wants to promote a safer web, and encouraging HTTPS adoption is one way it does that. Sites with HTTPS may also be featured more prominently in search features like rich results and Google Discover.
Preserving Referral Data for Better Analytics
Another hidden benefit of using HTTPS is the preservation of referral data in your analytics tools. When someone clicks a link to your site from another secure site (like Facebook, Twitter, or another HTTPS website), that information is passed along so you can see where your traffic is coming from. But if your site is still using HTTP, browsers strip out that data, and it appears in analytics as “direct traffic”, meaning you lose valuable insight into where your visitors are coming from. HTTPS fixes that problem and helps you understand your audience better.
HTTPS Unlocks Modern Web Technologies
Many advanced web technologies simply require HTTPS to work. For example, if you want to use service workers for faster loading, push notifications, or offline experiences, your site must be served over HTTPS. Features like geolocation, background sync, and even using the newer HTTP/2 protocol for faster page speeds are only available with HTTPS. This means having HTTPS isn’t just about security, it’s about performance, user experience, and future-proofing your website as the web continues to evolve.
How to Switch from HTTP to HTTPS
Get an SSL Certificate (It’s Easier Than You Think)
The first step to switching to HTTPS is getting an SSL/TLS certificate for your website. These certificates are issued by Certificate Authorities and can be installed on your web server. The good news is that many hosting providers now offer free SSL certificates, making the process simple and accessible.
In fact, our shared hosting plans come with a free SSL certificate, so you don’t have to pay anything extra or deal with complicated setup steps. It’s included in your hosting service, ready to secure your site right away.
Update Your Website and Redirect URLs
After installing your SSL certificate, you need to update your site’s internal links, images, and scripts to use “https://” instead of “http://”. This ensures that everything loads securely and avoids browser warnings. You also need to set up 301 redirects from your old HTTP URLs to the new HTTPS versions, so that users and search engines automatically get sent to the secure version of your site. This helps preserve your SEO rankings and keeps all your existing traffic flowing smoothly.
If you’re using cPanel hosting, this entire process can be as easy as clicking a single button, making the switch quick and beginner-friendly.
Avoid Mixed Content and Monitor Performance
One of the common issues during a migration to HTTPS is “mixed content.” This happens when your page loads some secure resources (like HTML) but also tries to load insecure ones (like images or JavaScript files) over HTTP. Browsers will block or warn users about these elements, which can break your site’s appearance or functionality. You’ll need to check and update all resources to HTTPS. After switching, monitor your site’s performance and search rankings. Use tools like Google Search Console and SSL checkers to catch any issues early and keep your site running smoothly.
HTTPS Is Worth It
In today’s web, HTTPS isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have. It protects your users, builds their trust, gives you a leg up in search engine rankings, and enables you to use the latest and best features of modern websites. And the best part is, it doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Don’t wait until a warning drives your visitors away or a competitor outranks you, make the switch to HTTPS today and give your site the strong, secure foundation it deserves.