TL;DR: The secure, encrypted version of HTTP. Required for trust, rankings and modern browsers.
In a nutshell
HTTPS encrypts data between a visitor’s browser and your site using an SSL/TLS certificate, that’s the padlock icon in the address bar. Google confirmed in 2014 that HTTPS is a ranking signal, and Chrome now flags non-HTTPS pages as “Not Secure”. For example, an ecommerce site without HTTPS can’t take payments and will lose trust on sight.
Quick answer: HTTPS is the secure version of HTTP, encrypting data between user browsers and your website using SSL/TLS certificates. Google has confirmed HTTPS is a ranking signal, and modern browsers actively warn users on non-HTTPS sites. For any site that wants to rank or be trusted, HTTPS is mandatory.
What Is HTTPS / SSL?
HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) is the secure version of HTTP, the protocol over which data is sent between your browser and the website you’re visiting. The ‘S’ stands for Secure, and that’s thanks to an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate.
In plain English: HTTPS encrypts the data between a website and its visitors, protecting things like passwords, personal information, and contact forms from being intercepted. That little padlock icon in your browser’s address bar? That means SSL is working.
It’s not just about safety, it’s about trust, credibility, and SEO. In fact, if you’re still using HTTP in 2024, it’s like hanging a “not safe” sign on your homepage. Don’t be that site.
What’s the Difference Between SSL and HTTPS?
Think of it this way:
- SSL is the technology that encrypts your website’s data.
- HTTPS is the secure protocol your browser uses when SSL is active.
Technically, websites now use TLS (Transport Layer Security) rather than SSL, but the term “SSL certificate” stuck, and we’re not here to start semantic wars with your hosting provider.
Why HTTPS Matters for SEO
Back in 2014, Google officially made HTTPS a ranking signal. That’s right, switching to HTTPS can actually improve your search visibility. Google’s position is documented in Google Search Central, and the broader web platform case for HTTPS is summarised on web.dev.
More importantly, non-secure websites scare users away. Chrome literally flashes a “Not Secure” warning next to the URL bar on HTTP pages, especially if there’s a form. Not a great first impression, right?
At BrisTechTonic, we include HTTPS checks in every technical SEO audit, and we migrate all our WordPress SEO and Shopify SEO clients to HTTPS by default. No SSL = no deal.
Benefits of Switching to HTTPS
If you’re still on the fence about migrating to HTTPS, here’s what you’re missing out on:
- Improved security: Encrypts user data and login details
- Trust factor: Users expect that padlock, especially if you’re taking payments or contact details
- SEO gains: HTTPS is a Google ranking signal (albeit a lightweight one)
- Faster speeds: With HTTP/2 support, HTTPS can actually speed things up, which feeds into your Core Web Vitals and page speed scores
- Required for features: Things like service workers (for PWAs) and location permissions often only work over HTTPS
How to Get an SSL Certificate (and Do It Right)
Getting an SSL certificate is easy. Most hosting providers include it for free these days via Let’s Encrypt. Here’s the process:
- Login to your hosting control panel (e.g., cPanel, SiteGround, Kinsta)
- Find the SSL section and enable Let’s Encrypt or another SSL provider
- Force HTTPS by redirecting all HTTP traffic (either via plugin, .htaccess, or server settings). Use proper 301 redirects so SEO equity transfers cleanly.
- Update your internal links and canonical tags to use HTTPS
- Update your XML sitemap and resubmit to Google Search Console
Make sure to check for mixed content errors, when parts of your site (like images or scripts) are still being loaded over HTTP. These can break the padlock icon and cause trust issues. Tools like Why No Padlock can help identify these issues quickly.
HTTPS and Ecommerce SEO
If you run an ecommerce store, HTTPS isn’t just recommended, it’s required. Without SSL, payment processors like Stripe, PayPal, or Shopify Payments won’t even work. Worse, your visitors won’t trust you with their credit card details if Chrome’s screaming “Not Secure.”
That’s why we prioritise SSL configuration in all our ecommerce SEO projects, whether you’re on Shopify, WooCommerce, or something more custom.
What If You Don’t Switch?
If you don’t move to HTTPS:
- You’ll likely lose rankings to secure competitors
- Your forms may stop functioning properly on some browsers
- Users will bounce at the sight of that warning label
- You’ll lose out on trust, conversions, and credibility
In short? You’re not just missing a technical trick, you’re actively damaging your brand.
BrisTechTonic’s HTTPS Checklist
Here’s the internal process our team uses when upgrading a site to HTTPS:
- Install SSL via Let’s Encrypt or Cloudflare
- Force HTTPS site-wide (via server, CMS, or plugin)
- Fix internal links and media references
- Scan for mixed content issues
- Update canonical tags and hreflang if needed
- Resubmit sitemap in Google Search Console
Whether you’re switching during a site migration or launching a new domain, HTTPS is part of our default build process.
What About Subdomains?
If your site has subdomains like blog.example.com, each one needs its own SSL certificate, or a wildcard SSL that covers them all. If even one section of your site isn’t secure, Google will take notice.
Still Using HTTP? Let’s Fix That.
We get it, if your site’s been around for a while, switching to HTTPS might feel like opening a can of worms. But honestly, it’s one of the easiest SEO wins you can make.
Want help? Book a free discovery call and we’ll take a look. We’ll secure your site, protect your visitors, and give your SEO a boost, all in one go.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get HTTPS on my site?
Most modern hosts include free SSL certificates via Let’s Encrypt. Activation is usually a single setting. Once HTTPS is active, force-redirect HTTP to HTTPS at the server level so all traffic uses the secure version.
Will switching to HTTPS hurt SEO?
Temporarily, possibly. The migration moves all URLs from HTTP to HTTPS, which Google treats like any URL change. With proper 301 redirects from HTTP to HTTPS, traffic typically returns within weeks. Long-term, HTTPS helps SEO.
How do I check my HTTPS is set up correctly?
Two checks. SSL Labs (ssllabs.com/ssltest) tests certificate configuration. Search Console’s URL Inspection tool shows whether Google sees the HTTPS version. Both should give clean reports.
Is HTTP/2 the same as HTTPS?
No. HTTPS is the encryption layer; HTTP/2 is the protocol version. HTTP/2 requires HTTPS but does more (multiplexing, header compression, server push) for performance. Most modern hosts run HTTP/2 by default once SSL is active.
Take this further
HTTPS is now a baseline. We audit and verify HTTPS configuration during every technical SEO engagement.
Ready to apply this to your own site? Book a free discovery call, or explore our SEO strategy service.