Difference Between HTTP and HTTPS – Why It Matters for Web Developers

Observe these two web addresses:

1. http://gyanvihar.org
2. https://gyanvihar.org

Can you find out the difference between them? They both redirect to Suresh Gyan Vihar University's website, but there's a clear difference between the web addresses and how they work for you. It's the http vs https difference. The first web address uses the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), while the second uses the HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS). They both are data transmission protocols, but there's a choice to be made between them essential for web developers. This blog will outline the differences between the protocols and why one option is better.

HTTP?

HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol. It's one of the older protocols for transmitting data over the web. What data transmission means is when you type a URL (let's take Gyan Vihar's website, for example) in your web browser, HTTP governs how the browser communicates with Gyan Vihar's web server to fetch the website information.

HTTP transmits data in plain text. That means if you're entering a password on the website, for example, a person with the necessary skill/ability can intercept the exchange and get hands on your personal (sometimes sensitive) details.

HTTPS?

HTTPS stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. It's one of the modern and popular protocols for data transmission over the web. It is generally associated with SSL/TLS certificates that verify the encryption in the data transfer. What this ensures is that any detail you enter on the website (especially details like passwords or personal information) is end-to-end encrypted. Browsers display a padlock icon near the URL to verify the safety of the connection with HTTPS.

HTTP vs HTTPS: Key Differences

Why HTTP Matters for Web Developers

1. User Trust: Visitors use the padlock icon as a trusted source for their safety and security on the web. So they are more likely to spend their time on your website if they find the same padlock symbol on your website.
2. Protect Sensitive Data: If your website requires visitors to enter and access sensitive information (like passwords or payment information), adopting HTTPS to protect sensitive data from hackers with encryption is essential.
3. SEO Benefits: Google has confirmed that HTTPS is a ranking factor. If your website still uses HTTP, it would be impossible to get ranked in the first few rankings on the Google search engine result pages.
4. Browser Compliance: Modern browsers like Google Chrome and Firefox create higher friction for non-HTTPS websites with a popup screen mentioning the non-secureness of the website. This might lose you multiple leads to websites.
5. Regulatory Compliance: Some web laws like GDPR and PCI DSS require you to compulsorily use encrypted connections for handling personal or financial data.

Moving from HTTP to HTTPS

Migrating your site to HTTPS isn't as complicated as it sounds:

1. Obtain an SSL/TLS certificate (free options like Let's Encrypt are available)
2. Install the certificate on your server
3. Update internal links from HTTP to HTTPS
4. Set up 301 redirects to send users and search engines to the HTTPS version
5. Update the sitemap and inform Google Search Console

Remember, security is a continuous process—keep your certificates updated and monitor your site regularly.

Final Thoughts 

Understanding the difference between HTTPS and HTTPS is integral to web security basics. Nowadays, everyone is a bit skeptical about their safety and security. An HTTPS for data transmission is not just a recommendation but a necessity for improved user experience. If you aim to become a professional, credible, and successful professional, your top goal should be to ensure security, starting with HTTPS.