A lot of businesses still treat HTTP and HTTPS like they’re the same thing but I can tell you, they’re not. That one extra “S” isn’t just a technical detail. It’s the difference between sending information safely and leaving it wide open. If your website still runs on HTTP, you’re risking trust and visibility. Customers notice it and Google as well.
Even in 2025, 87.3% of websites default to HTTPS.
Source: W3Techs
In this blog, I’ll walk you through the real difference between HTTP and HTTPS, how each one works and what’s the best option among the two.
What is HTTP?
HTTP stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol. It’s the method your browser uses to request and receive information from a website. If your URL starts with “http://”, that’s what your browser is using to load the page. It’s been around since the early days of the internet and still works but there’s a catch.
How HTTP Works?
When someone visits your website, HTTP sends a request to the server and brings back the page content. It does this in plain text. That means if someone intercepts the data, like on public Wi-Fi, they can read everything. There’s no lock and nothing’s encrypted.
Limitations and Security Concerns
While HTTP still functions, it leaves too much at risk. This holds true especially for businesses that rely on trust. Here’s why it’s no longer a safe option:
- Data travels in plain text, making it easy to intercept
- No encryption means login details and personal info are exposed
- Modern browsers mark HTTP as “Not Secure”
- Can damage trust and credibility with users
- Google ranks HTTPS pages higher, leaving HTTP at a disadvantage
- Not suitable for websites handling any form of customer data
What is HTTPS?
HTTPS stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure. It works just like HTTP but with one major difference: “Security.” HTTPS encryption means adding a layer of encryption that protects data as it moves between your browser and the server. That’s why URLs with “https://” show a padlock in the address bar. It’s now the standard for any website that handles user information.
How Does HTTPS Work? – Going Beyond HTTPS Meaning
When someone visits your website, HTTPS uses a secure protocol to encrypt the data during transmission. This means login details, payment info and personal messages can’t be read or altered by anyone in between. Even if the data is intercepted, it’s unreadable without the right decryption key.
Role of SSL/TLS Certificates
The security behind HTTPS comes from SSL or TLS certificates. These digital certificates confirm that your website is real and that the connection is safe. You install the certificate on your server, and browsers use it to verify your identity. It’s what triggers that padlock symbol and without it, HTTPS won’t work.
Difference Between HTTP and HTTPS
Even though HTTP and HTTPS look similar, the way they handle your data is completely different. Here’s a quick breakdown to show you exactly why that one extra letter matters to understand the difference between HTTP and HTTPS better.
| Feature | HTTP | HTTPS |
| Security | Sends your info without protection and anyone can intercept it. | Encrypts your info so no one can see or tamper with it. |
| Data Safety | Personal details like passwords or card info are exposed. | Keeps private data safe while it’s being sent. |
| Browser Display | Shows “Not Secure” warning which can push people away. | Shows a padlock that tells visitors your website is safe, increasing retention. |
| Trust from Visitors | Makes your visitors think twice before filling out a form or making a payment | Builds confidence so your visitors feel safe taking action. |
| Search Rankings | Google may push you down in search results. | Google prefers HTTPS and helps your website rank higher. |
| Use in Business | Not reliable for websites that collect any customer information | Needed if you want to build trust or accept payments online |
HTTPS vs HTTP: Why Use HTTPS over HTTP?
If you’re already using HTTP, I highly recommend switching to HTTPS because it will keep your website trustworthy, ensure secure website connection and be competitive. You surely don’t want to lose customers because your browser shows a “Not Secure” warning. That said, here’s why HTTPS is the better option in every way:
1. Protects Your Customer’s Information
When someone submits a contact form or payment on your website, HTTPS keeps that data private. Without it, anything entered like names, emails, passwords or card details can be intercepted. HTTPS encrypts all of it so no one else can read or misuse it.
2. Builds Instant Trust with Visitors
Most people recognise that padlock in the address bar. It tells them your website is secure. When it’s missing, users hesitate. Some won’t even click through. Switching to HTTPS shows your business takes security seriously, and that builds trust fast.
3. Improves Google Rankings
Google uses HTTPS as a ranking signal. That means switching can help your website climb higher in search results. If your competitors already use HTTPS and you don’t, they’re more likely to show up before you. This holds true even if your content is better.
4. Avoids Browser Warnings
Modern browsers now warn users when they visit an HTTP page. A warning message “Not Secure” is the last thing you want next to your business name. HTTPS removes that warning and gives users peace of mind.
Take the example “http://neverssl.com” that is specifically built without HTTPS to demonstrate what happens when a website doesn’t use a secure connection. When you visit it, most modern browsers like Chrome or Firefox will show a “Not Secure” warning in the address bar.
5. Required for Transactions and Forms
If you collect any data (especially payments) you need HTTPS. It’s not optional. Payment gateways and third-party platforms may block you if your connection isn’t secure. It’s also a key requirement for PCI compliance.
6. Supports Modern Web Features
Some features of your website simply won’t work without HTTPS. Things like faster load times, mobile-friendly tools and app-like experiences all rely on a secure connection. If you want your website to run better now and stay ready for future upgrades, HTTPS is the way forward.
How to Implement HTTPS on Your Website?
After learning the difference between HTTP and HTTPS you’d definitely made up your mind. Switching to HTTPS protects your business and builds trust but it only works if it’s set up properly. Here’s how you can do it step by step:
1. Get an SSL or TLS Certificate
This certificate secures your website connection. Without it, HTTPS won’t work. To get an SSL or TSL certificate follow these steps:
- Log in to your hosting provider.
- Look for “SSL” or “Security” in the dashboard.
- Choose a free certificate like Let’s Encrypt or a paid one for more validation.
- Activate the certificate for your domain.
Once installed, your hosting panel should confirm that HTTPS is ready to use.
2. Enable HTTPS in Your Hosting Account
Activating HTTPS means your website will load securely for everyone. Follow these steps to do so:
- Go to your hosting dashboard.
- Find the option to force HTTPS or enable secure redirects.
- Turn it on so that all visitors are automatically redirected from HTTP to HTTPS.
- Save the changes.
If you use a CMS like WordPress, some security plugins also offer this feature.
3. Update Internal Links and Resources
Links and media that still load over HTTP can break the secure connection or cause browser warnings. To perform the update process follow these steps:
- Search your website content for “http://” links.
- Replace them with “https://” where needed.
- Check image URLs, buttons, scripts and embedded videos.
- Use a plugin or tool to update them in bulk if needed.
This prevents mixed content issues that cause the padlock to disappear.
4. Test and Verify Everything
Once you’ve updated everything, make sure it all works as expected. You can take these steps to make sure everything is perfect:
- Visit your homepage and check for the padlock icon in the address bar.
- Use Why No Padlock or SSL Labs to scan your website.
- Fix anything the tools flag as insecure.
- Test forms, buttons and login pages to confirm they work correctly.
Once everything checks out, your website is officially secure and HTTPS-ready.
Common Misconceptions About HTTPS
Most people even after understanding the difference between HTTP and HTTPS still think that switching to HTTPS isn’t necessary just because of things you’ve read or assumed. If you’re one of them or are still unsure, let’s clear up the most common misunderstandings because not switching comes with a bigger cost.
1. “HTTPS will slow down my website”
It won’t. In fact, HTTPS often improves speed. Many secure websites now use faster technology like HTTP/2, which only works with HTTPS. If your website is loading slowly, it’s more likely due to large images, poor hosting or too many plugins, not the secure connection.
2. “It’s too hard or expensive to set up”
That might have been true years ago. Today, most hosting companies offer free SSL certificates and one-click setup. If you’re using WordPress or any major platform, you can turn it on in minutes. Even premium SSL options are affordable and come with support.
3. “My website doesn’t need it, I’m not selling anything”
You don’t need to run a store for HTTPS to matter. If someone fills out a contact form, signs up for emails or logs into an account, their details should be protected. HTTPS builds trust with every visitor, whether you’re selling something or not.
FAQs Related to the Difference Between HTTP and HTTPS
What does HTTPS stand for?
HTTPS stand for HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure.
Do I need to renew my SSL certificate?
Yes. SSL certificates have an expiry date, usually every 90 days for free ones like Let’s Encrypt or every 1–2 years for paid options. Many hosting platforms renew them automatically, but it’s worth checking so your website doesn’t lose its secure status.
Will switching to HTTPS affect my current SEO?
Switching to HTTPS can improve your SEO over time. However, if not done correctly, it can cause temporary drops. Make sure you redirect all old HTTP URLs to their HTTPS versions and update internal links. Done properly, it never harms your website’s ranking instead it helps.
Can I still track my website analytics after switching to HTTPS?
Yes. Google Analytics and other tracking tools work perfectly with HTTPS. Just make sure your tracking code is active on the secure version of each page and that your property settings are updated if needed.
Difference Between HTTP and HTTPS: Why It Matters for Your Business
If your website isn’t secure, people will notice. That padlock in the address bar is enough to tell your visitors that your business takes privacy, trust and performance seriously.
Whenever it’s about choosing between HTTP vs HTTPS protocol and you choose the latter, it shows your customers you care about protecting their information. It helps you rank better, build confidence and keep people from clicking away before they even get to know you.
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