You are probably familiar with seeing “https” when using the internet. It is the acronym that begins the URL in a website address. HTTPS stands for hypertext protocol secure and is an extension of the other well-known acronym “http” or hypertext transfer protocol. You may also recognize HTTPS by the green padlock that sits to the left of it.

What makes hypertext transfer protocol secure (HTTPS) different from HTTP? HTTPS there is added feature known as transport layer security (TLS). This encryption has advanced security compared to HTTP. HTTPS is the ideal option when confidentiality is required online such as when online shopping, banking, or any situation where personal and private information is sent from one website user and another. HTTP does not provide these extra security features and therefore should be avoided when sending important information online.

Why is hypertext transfer protocol inportant? Hypertext transfer protocol secure (HTTPS) lets a user know that their information is being sent to where it intended instead of to a suspicious website. While HTTPS cannot fully guarantee that other users on the internet cannot attempt to sniff out data, it does make sure that any data cannot be seen and stolen.

For a website creator, HTTPS can help the ranking of their website. How is this possible? HTTPS, and its green padlock symbol, are a sign to search engines that the website is trustworthy and safe for other users to visit. This safety feature can help a website to rank higher in searches and lead to more visits and conversions. If a user feels safe visiting your website, knowing their information is being protected, they will feel better about making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or filling out a form so that they can be contacted by email or phone.

With all of the benefits of hypertext transfer protocol secure, are there any downsides to using this encryption? The only real downside for some website creators may be the cost. If you are on a budget and hadn’t considered this expense, you might wonder if you should forgo it. HTTPS is absolutely something you should spare the expense for. You will not only be protecting your visitors and customers, but building trust with them. You will also be protecting yourself and your website from data breaches. For an HTTPS, you will need to buy an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate. This is a digital certificate that creates the encrypted link between a web server and a web browser. Purchasing an SSL certificate should be a non-negotiable expense for your website.

To summarize, a hypertext transfer protocol secure (HTTPS):

• Provides security that will keep personal information safe when someone is using a website on the internet
• Ensures information being sent from one website to another goes to the correct place and doesn’t get seen or hijacked
• Helps visitors and customers know they are on a website that is trustworthy
• Improves ranking as search engine will know a website is safe place to send users