If your website still runs on HTTP, you are already behind. Not just from a security perspective, but from an SEO, trust, and usability standpoint too.
This guide explains the difference between HTTP and HTTPS, what an SSL certificate actually does, and why it matters for UK websites in practical terms. No technical waffle, just the essentials you need to understand.
HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol. It is the system used to send information between a user’s browser and a web server.
The problem is simple. HTTP sends data in plain text.
That means:
Modern browsers treat HTTP as unsafe because, frankly, it is.
HTTPS is the secure version of HTTP. The “S” stands for Secure.
HTTPS uses encryption to protect data as it moves between the browser and the server. This encryption is enabled by an SSL certificate.
When HTTPS is in place, data such as:
is encrypted and unreadable to third parties.
An SSL certificate is a digital certificate that:
SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer, although technically most modern sites use TLS, its successor. The term SSL is still used universally.
When an SSL certificate is installed correctly, users see:
Without it, browsers actively warn users that the site is “Not Secure”.
When a user visits an HTTPS website:
This process happens in milliseconds, but it is critical for trust and data protection.
Cloudflare provides a clear technical breakdown if you want to go deeper:
HTTPS is a confirmed Google ranking factor.Google announced this back in 2014, and it remains a baseline expectation today:
From an SEO perspective, SSL impacts:
Users are far more likely to leave a site flagged as insecure. High bounce rates and poor engagement indirectly affect performance.
Chrome, Safari, and Edge actively warn users away from non-HTTPS pages, especially on forms.
HTTPS prevents content injection, which can otherwise interfere with how your pages are rendered and indexed.SSL alone will not boost rankings, but not having it will hold you back.
No encryption
Data sent in plain text
Marked as “Not Secure”
Not suitable for modern websites
Encrypted connection
Protects user data
Builds trust and credibility
Required for e-commerce and forms
Expected by search engines
For UK businesses, especially those handling customer data, HTTPS is non-negotiable.
Basic encryption
Fast to issue
Common for blogs and small sites
Verifies business identity
Stronger trust signals
Suitable for service-based businesses
Highest level of verification
Displays company details in certificates
Often used by financial institutions and large brands
For most SMEs, DV or OV certificates are sufficient.
Even sites with SSL can get this wrong.
Common issues include:
Mixed content errors from HTTP assets
Incorrect redirects from HTTP to HTTPS
Canonical tags pointing to HTTP URLs
Internal links still use HTTP
SSL is installed on some pages, but not all
These problems can undermine both security and SEO if not resolved properly.
No!
SSL certificates are a baseline requirement, not a full security solution. You still need:
Secure hosting
Updated software
Strong passwords
Proper technical SEO setup
But without HTTPS, everything else is built on weak foundations.
HTTPS is no longer a “nice to have”. It is a baseline requirement for trust, security and modern search visibility.
An SSL certificate protects user data, prevents tampering and reassures visitors that your site is safe to use. It also sends clear quality signals to browsers and search engines, both of which now expect secure connections as standard. If your website is still running on HTTP, it is not just a technical issue. It is a credibility gap that can quietly undermine performance, conversions and rankings.
Fixing HTTPS should not live in the backlog. It should be treated as a priority that supports everything else you do in SEO, from content and links to user experience and conversion rate optimisation.
If you are unsure where to start or want expert support that goes beyond surface-level fixes, the team at StudioHawk can help. We work with ambitious brands to build SEO strategies that are technically sound, content-led and designed for long-term growth, not quick wins that fade.
Speak to our SEO experts today and find out what your site is really capable of.
Book a free consultation and see what’s possible.