The first version of HTTP was initially proposed in 1989. Five years later, HTTPS was introduced as a secure, encrypted version of HTTP. Major browsers like Chrome and Firefox have since pushed HTTPS as the default protocol to safeguard users.
If you’re unfamiliar with HTTP or HTTPS, you’re in the right place. We’ll go over the key differences between these two protocols and what they mean for your website.
What Sets HTTP and HTTPS Apart?
When you open any URL, you may notice it starts with “http://” or “https://”. These prefixes represent the protocol used to communicate with the web server. The difference between HTTP and HTTPS is that extra “S”—which stands for “secure.” In short, HTTPS is the secure version of HTTP.
What Is HTTP?
Let’s break it down. HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol. It’s essentially a set of rules that governs how information is transmitted over the web.
When you access a webpage, your browser sends a request to the web server where that page is hosted. If the transmission is successful, you’ll be able to view the page. If not, you may encounter an HTTP error code, indicating an issue with the data transmission.
What Is HTTPS?
HTTPS stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. As the name suggests, it’s a more secure version of HTTP. HTTPS ensures the data transferred between users and websites remains private by using encryption protocols.
For example, a URL using HTTPS will look like this:
Security: HTTP vs. HTTPS
One of the major distinctions between HTTP and HTTPS is security. HTTP data is not encrypted, making it easy for hackers to intercept. In contrast, HTTPS uses SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and TLS (Transport Layer Security) protocols to protect your data.
- SSL Certificate: Encrypts the data exchanged between your browser and the web server.
- TLS Protocol: Prevents your data from being tampered with during transmission, ensuring that users are communicating with the correct website.
Why Should You Switch to HTTPS?
Beyond the security benefits for you and your users, there are three additional reasons to choose HTTPS over HTTP.
1. Building User Trust
Since 2019, Google marks any website using the HTTP protocol as “Not Secure.” This warning can reduce the likelihood of users trusting your site, especially when conducting transactions. Switching to HTTPS builds trust and makes users feel safer when engaging with your content.
2. Improved SEO Performance
Google has announced that websites using HTTPS will receive a ranking boost in search results. Not only that, but earning users’ trust by avoiding the “Not Secure” label can improve your site’s overall SEO performance. Users are more likely to share your website and return to it when they know it’s secure.
3. Google AMP Compatibility
If you’re looking to create a fast-loading mobile experience, HTTPS is required for Google AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages). AMP is an open-source framework developed by Google that integrates seamlessly with Google Search, AMP Cache, and Google Analytics to deliver instant page loads on mobile devices. Only websites using HTTPS can take full advantage of AMP’s features.
HTTP vs. HTTPS: Which Should Your Website Use?
With HTTPS becoming the standard protocol in recent years, it’s in your best interest to install it on your site. Not only will HTTPS protect sensitive data, but it will also improve your search rankings and performance while establishing trust with your users.
