Industry Update: SSL certificate lifetimes are changing. Learn how the move to 47-day certificates will impact businesses between 2026 and 2029.
Reading time: 5 min
If you've ever noticed a small padlock beside a website address, you've already seen HTTPS in action.
Although HTTP and HTTPS may look almost identical, the difference between them is critical for website security, customer trust, and search engine rankings.
Today, virtually every modern website should use HTTPS.
HTTP stands for:
HyperText Transfer Protocol
It is the original protocol used to transfer information between:
your web browser
the web server
The problem?
HTTP sends information in plain text.
That means anyone intercepting the connection could potentially read:
passwords
usernames
email addresses
payment information
personal details
Because of this, HTTP is now considered insecure.
HTTPS stands for:
HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure
HTTPS works exactly like HTTP—but with one major difference:
All communication is encrypted using an SSL/TLS certificate.
Instead of sending information as readable text, HTTPS encrypts everything before it leaves the browser.
Only the intended server can decrypt the information.
Modern users expect websites to be secure.
HTTPS helps protect:
Login credentials
Customer information
Contact forms
Online payments
Personal information
Business communications
Without HTTPS, sensitive information may be exposed to attackers.
Modern browsers actively warn visitors when websites use HTTP.
Visitors may see messages like:
Not Secure
Your connection is not private
This site may not be secure
These warnings often cause visitors to leave immediately.
Google officially uses HTTPS as a ranking signal.
While it's only one of many ranking factors, secure websites generally benefit from:
Better search visibility
Higher user trust
Lower bounce rates
Increased conversions
Google has encouraged HTTPS adoption for many years.
When someone visits your website:
The browser requests a secure connection.
Your SSL certificate proves your website's identity.
Encryption keys are exchanged securely.
All future communication becomes encrypted.
Visitors browse your website safely.
The entire process usually happens in less than a second.
Yes.
Whether you run:
a personal website
a business website
an eCommerce store
a portfolio
a blog
a web application
HTTPS should always be enabled.
Even websites that don't collect sensitive information benefit from improved trust and security.
HTTPS is enabled by installing an SSL/TLS certificate on your website.
Depending on your needs, this may include:
Domain Validation (DV)
Organization Validation (OV)
Extended Validation (EV)
Wildcard SSL
Multi-Domain SSL
Once installed correctly, your website automatically loads securely using HTTPS.
Installing an SSL certificate isn't always as simple as uploading a file.
Incorrect installation can lead to:
Certificate errors
Browser warnings
Mixed content issues
Website downtime
At Wikicert, we provide professional SSL installation services to ensure your certificate is configured correctly across your hosting environment.
Our installation service starts at $90 USD, which includes the SSL Store installation fee and our professional setup and verification, ensuring your website is secure from day one.
For modern websites, yes. HTTPS is considered the standard for website security.
Technically yes, but browsers increasingly warn users about unsecured websites, which can reduce trust and traffic.
Google has confirmed HTTPS is a ranking signal and recommends all websites use secure connections.
HTTPS encrypts data between visitors and your website, but good security also includes software updates, firewalls, backups, and ongoing maintenance.
