There are pros and cons of HTTP and HTTPS. One type is faster and more secure, while the other is better for SEO. If unsure, speak to your web developer. Most websites use HTTPS. Learn how to optimize your website speed and security.

What Is HTTP?

Hypertext Transfer Protocol, or HTTP, is how people talk on the World Wide Web. It is the basis for all web pages and websites. When you type a URL into your web browser, your computer sends an HTTP request to the website server. The server sends you the page you asked for, which your browser window shows you. 

HTTP is a simple text-based protocol that uses only a few basic commands, like GET and POST. You can use these commands to ask the server for a certain resource or to send data to the server. The protocol is reliable and effective, and it keeps the modern Internet running.

This protocol is the most common form of communication between web browsers and websites. This protocol was created by Tim Berners-Lee and provides standard communication rules between web servers. Also, here are some things to know when using HTTP;

• It is easy to implement;
• It does not require certificates or encryption;
• You can use it for all pages and subdomains;
• Almost anyone can implement it without any special training.

What Is HTTPS?

HTTPS stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. It is an Internet communication protocol that encrypts and decrypts user data to protect it from eavesdropping. This protocol is the standard for website security and is used by millions of websites to protect online transactions with their customers. 

HTTPS uses a cryptographic system that uses two keys – a public key and a private key. The public key is used to encrypt data, and the private key is used to decrypt it. The protocol is important because it helps to keep user data safe from hackers and other online threats. When you visit an HTTPS website, you can be sure that your data is transmitted securely.

Here are the two impacts of HTTP and HTTPS for SEO and Analytics:

1. Faster

While most search engines prefer HTTPS over HTTP, not all offer it yet. Google has begun to change its algorithm to favor the former over the latter. The reason behind this shift is the protection of referrer data, as well as the security of users. The shift from one protocol to the other is a major change for SEO and has several implications for your website. Here are some points why HTTPS is faster in optimizing content:

• It provides a more accurate picture of where the traffic is coming from;
• It can improve your search rankings;
• It makes it easier for Google to crawl and index your site.

2. More Secure

While there are some differences between them, these two protocols are very similar. Both are structured for data transfer and tell web browsers where to find information on a server. 

1. Using HTTPS will improve your website’s security and credibility. It is a good idea to upgrade your website if you want to optimize your SEO efforts;
2. HTTPS protects your website’s referral data. HTTP sites remove this information and make it appear like there is no referral. HTTPS increases your website’s privacy, and credit card details will be safer.

You should notify Google and submit a certificate signing request to get started. You’ll need to specify server software, the preferred hash algorithm, and a reasonable period for your SSL certificate.

Google prefers this because it ensures a secure connection between the web server and the visitor. It’s also much safer and secure, and it’s also used as a ranking factor in Google’s algorithm. In short, if your site is not using HTTPS, you’re increasing the risk of a cyber attack and losing valuable customer information.

Better For SEO

If you’re wondering whether HTTPS is better for SEO, the answer is a resounding “yes.” This encryption standard protects user data from being corrupted and allows users to trust websites. HTTPS also provides better insight into referral data, which can lead to more effective SEO strategies.

In 2018, 70% of first-page search results were HTTPS sites. They get better browsing times, which helps them rank higher on Google. A high bounce rate is unfavorable to SEO. Google is adamant that page experience is one of the most important ranking factors.

As a webmaster, your site’s speed is important in search engine rankings. Although Google has not explicitly stated that HTTPS is better for SEO, it is worth using it wherever possible. For example, e-commerce sites should make the switch. Google will give their websites a small boost in their rankings if they use HTTPS and penalize them if they don’t.

Here are three SEO benefits of HTTPS:

1. It Provides a Better Experience for Users
   

It’s no secret that user experience (UX) is a key component of SEO. If people find your website through organic search and are greeted with flashing text, bouncing icons, and pop-up ads, they will not stick around. Google doesn’t want to be associated with sites like that, which is why UX is an important part of SEO strategies.

Secure websites with an SSL certificate are more likely to be seen as “high-quality, trustworthy, and reliable” by Google and therefore are more likely to achieve high rankings. So, if you want to improve your SEO, focus on improving your UX. Create a website that is easy to navigate and provides value to users, and you’ll be well on your way to better SEO results.

2. HTTPS Enables Efficient SEO Monitoring
   

It’s important to audit your SEO results to find out what’s helping your rankings. SEO can be notoriously difficult to report. One way to make it easier is to switch to HTTPS.

When a site isn’t secure, the referral information is stripped away. This means that traffic sources aren’t named, and you’ll see a lot of visitors coming from “direct” sources – even though they may have been referred from social media, organic search, or paid ads.

Sites that are secure, however, protect (and show) this referral information. This makes it much easier to see where your traffic is coming from and adjust accordingly.

Overall, making the switch to HTTPS can help make it easier to track and improve your SEO results.

3. Secure Websites Make People Stay on Them Longer
   

Any website looking to improve its SEO should know the importance of dwell time. Dwell time is the amount of time a searcher spends on your website before clicking back to the SERPs, and it’s a key factor in determining your website’s ranking. A low dwell time signals to Google that your result wasn’t relevant to the searcher’s query, and your URL will suffer.

One common mistake that can sabotage your dwell time is failing to switch to HTTPS. Top Shopify experts know that when searchers see a “Not Secure” message, they will likely click back to the SERPs. As a result, your site will be viewed as low-quality by Google’s spiders, even if your content is excellent.

To avoid this pitfall, switch to HTTPS before working on your SEO. Doing so will give you a better chance of ranking high in the SERPs and attracting organic traffic.

Conclusion

HTTP and HTTPS are protocols used to transfer data between a user’s browser and a web server. The former is the older, less secure protocol, while the latter is the more recent protocol. Google has been giving preference to websites that use HTTPS in their search engine results pages (SERPs) since it provides a better user experience.

While HTTP still impacts SEO, it might get bumpy along the way. Better use the proper and secure protocols for accurate SEO analytics and ranking. It will help your website be part of the most viewed website.

Author bio:

Dmytro Sokhach is an entrepreneur and the 6-Figure Flipper Club member. Founded Admix Global (web agency) that builds websites, makes them profitable, and sells them as business