HTTP and HTTPS are the protocols your browser uses to talk to a website. The single letter “S” — for secure — decides whether that conversation can be read by anyone in between.
What is HTTP?
HyperText Transfer Protocol is the foundation of the web. It sends requests and pages between browser and server as plain text, which means passwords, form entries and cookies can be intercepted on public Wi-Fi or by a compromised router.
What is HTTPS?
HTTPS is HTTP wrapped in TLS encryption (the successor to SSL). A digital certificate proves the site is who it claims to be, and every byte exchanged is encrypted.
- Encryption — data cannot be read in transit
- Integrity — data cannot be altered without detection
- Authentication — the certificate verifies the domain
HTTP vs HTTPS: key differences
| HTTP | HTTPS | |
|---|---|---|
| Port | 80 | 443 |
| Encryption | None | TLS |
| Certificate | Not required | SSL/TLS certificate |
| Browser label | “Not secure” warning | Padlock |
| SEO | No ranking signal | Confirmed Google ranking signal |
| Speed | HTTP/1.1 | Enables HTTP/2 and HTTP/3 |
“If a visitor sees “Not secure”, most of them never reach your contact form.”
Why HTTPS matters for SEO and trust
Google has used HTTPS as a ranking signal since 2014, and Chrome flags every HTTP page as “Not secure”. Modern features — payments, geolocation, service workers and HTTP/2 — only work over HTTPS.
How to switch from HTTP to HTTPS
- Install a certificate — free from Let’s Encrypt or included with most hosts
- Update internal links, images and scripts to https://
- Add 301 redirects from every HTTP URL
- Enable HSTS so browsers always use HTTPS
- Update Google Search Console, sitemap and analytics
Frequently asked questions
Is an SSL certificate free?+
Yes. Let’s Encrypt issues free, trusted certificates, and most hosts install them automatically. Paid certificates add business validation and warranties.
Will HTTPS slow my site down?+
No. With HTTP/2 and modern TLS, HTTPS sites are usually faster than HTTP.
Will switching hurt my rankings?+
Not if you use permanent 301 redirects and update Search Console. Rankings typically stabilise within a few weeks.
TKV Creatographics builds and maintains secure, fast websites for brands in India and worldwide. Talk to our team.