HTTPS & SSL.
HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) means that data transmission between browser and server is encrypted — secured by an SSL/TLS certificate. Recognizable by the lock icon in the address bar. HTTPS has been a Google ranking factor since 2014.
HTTPS & SSL — Explained in Detail
HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) is the encrypted version of the HTTP protocol used to deliver websites. Encryption is provided by an SSL/TLS certificate (SSL = Secure Sockets Layer, TLS = Transport Layer Security — TLS is the more modern successor). Recognizable in the browser by the lock icon on the left side of the address bar. Websites without HTTPS display 'Not Secure'.
HTTPS has been an official Google ranking factor since 2014 — albeit a minor one. More important is its impact on user trust: 85% of users will not purchase on a website marked as 'not secure'. HTTPS encrypts all data between user and server — form inputs, login credentials, payment information. For websites that use contact forms, bookings or e-commerce, HTTPS is not optional but mandatory — also for legal reasons (GDPR/Swiss Data Protection Act).
Today, most hosting providers offer free SSL certificates via Let's Encrypt. Cloudflare provides SSL in its Free plan. Vercel and Netlify activate HTTPS automatically. There is no longer any reason to operate a website without HTTPS. DLM Digital configures HTTPS for all projects by default — and uses modern TLS 1.3 encryption for maximum security and performance.
Related Page
SEO StrategiesFrequently Asked Questions About HTTPS & SSL
Yes, but the direct ranking effect is small — Google has classified HTTPS as a 'lightweight ranking signal'. More important is the indirect effect: websites without HTTPS are marked as 'Not Secure' in the browser, which deters users, increases bounce rates and reduces conversions. For local ranking factors and E-E-A-T, HTTPS serves as a trust signal.
Basic SSL certificates are free today: Let's Encrypt offers free SSL certificates supported by all major hosting providers. Cloudflare offers SSL in its free plan. Paid certificates (Extended Validation, EV) display the company name in the address bar — they cost CHF 100–500/year and are relevant for banks and large e-commerce platforms.
When switching from HTTP to HTTPS, all internal links, canonical tags and XML sitemaps must be updated to HTTPS. Google Search Console and Analytics need to be reconfigured. With proper 301 redirects from HTTP to HTTPS, rankings are not lost. However, incorrectly configured redirects can lead to short-term ranking losses.
More Terms Starting with "H"
Headless CMS
A headless CMS is a content management system without an integrated frontend ('head'). Content is pr...
Headless Architecture
Headless Architecture separates the frontend (the visible website) from the backend (database, CMS, ...
Heatmap
A heatmap visualizes user behavior on a webpage through color codes: Red shows areas with high activ...
Ready for Your Project?
Apply this knowledge to your website — DLM Digital will help you.