HTTP vs HTTPS: SSL Basics & Securing Your Website

POST UPDATED ON: 7/30/2020
ORIGINAL POST DATE: 10/6/2017

Have you ever noticed that some of the websites you visit show a little padlock icon in your browser, or maybe you’ve noticed some sites starting with HTTPS instead of HTTP? It used to be that you primarily saw these signals when you were signing with a password and username, or were checking out for an online purchase. Now, HTTPS is becoming the standard for most web browsers and often considered a requirement for user experience, development, and SEO.

That little padlock, or HTTPS, lets you know that you are sending your information over a secured or encrypted connection. Over time, as businesses and consumers look to protect themselves online, HTTPS has become more common, even on sites that are not dealing with sensitive information.

Let’s take a look at what exactly HTTPS is and why you might want to add it to your site.

What does HTTPS mean?

HTTP is the standard protocol that your web browser uses to communicate with the sites you visit. HTTPS is the secure form of HTTP, meaning that the information being sent back and forth between your browser and the site you are visiting is encrypted.

If your site is currently using HTTP, you can start the process of setting up HTTPS by purchasing an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate. If you are working with a managed hosting and maintenance provider, they will be able to assist you with the setup, and may have hosting options that include an SSL.

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