HTTP vs. HTTPS: Which One is Better In Terms of Improving Your SEO Score?
We are living in a digital era. Thanks to the advanced technology, we can now do almost everything online, and it is always done instantly. Yet, have you ever noticed your browser’s address bar? Do you see that sometimes your browser address bar says HTTPS instead of HTTP? What is that all about?
Let us dive into the myth of HTTP and HTTPS.
What are HTTP and HTTPS?
1. HTTP
HTTP means is Hypertext Transfer Protocol. It is a dedicated structure used to relocate and retrieve information from the web. Commonly operated to recover HTML web pages, HTTP is an application layer protocol with its basic aim: to present information to the web user no matter whichever channel it takes to do so. In other words, it focuses on how information is presented to the user of the computer.
2. HTTPS
HTTP is Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. It is an internet communication protocol that safeguards the integrity and confidentiality of data. HTTPS ensures a secure and private online experience.
HTTPS uses the “code” on a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), which is sometimes called Transport Layer Security (TLS) to send the information back and forth and that keeps user’s information safe from hackers.
What is SSL?
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) works closely and simultaneously with HTTPS to communicate information safely. There are mainly three ways: authentication, encryption, and data integrity.
What is HTTPS for?
The key role of HTTPS is enhanced security. As such, it has been used for any site involving secure information like personal data and banking details. In fact, it is usually present in e-commerce sites to protect transactions. You might notice that your bank will use websites with SSL Certificates to protect your personal information where you can easily recognize the padlock on your browser. Very often, HTTPS is used as an SEO benefit to your secure site.
How Security Affect Your SEO
Yes, switching to HTTPS ensure the enhanced security of your site. However, there are also some other SEO advantages that you might want to know:
1. Improved Rankings
Other than good content, website security could have a positive impact on your rankings, traffic, and sales conversions.
Let us put it this way: your website is equal to your competitor’s website in terms of title tags, speed, and content and so on. However, your competitor’s website is HTTPS and yours is not (or have not switched to it), Google will most likely rank theirs ahead of yours. Higher or better rankings can lead to more traffic [to your website] and boost sales conversions.
2. Security and Privacy
Website security is an endorsement of your website. Many agree that HTTPS is the best option when it comes to website security. The benefits include:
- Prevent damage by the third party
- Transform the site more secure for visitors
- Encrypts data and communication (browsing history, banking details, etc.)
3. Referrer Data
This is definitely a big advantage in comparison to the HTTP where HTTPS is an ideal system to preserve the secure referral information whenever the traffic passes to it. This feature or advantage will be a key player in your analytics reports, as you would not know where the traffic actually comes from.
On A Final Note
Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure provides a secure connection to users on the sites where they reveal or share their personal data. It is like another layer of protection shield, safeguards the confidential data on the websites. You will need to buy SSL Certificate to ensure that data between your web server and browser remains secure and confidential.
Do you want to know more about how does HTTPS works and how it is different from HTTP? How will security affect your SEO? IT Solution Singapore provides the right resources and services to help you to understand more. Feel free to contact us for more information!
