Google has a monopoly in the browser market and is about to make all website owners buy HTTPS or SSL certificates for their websites because Google thinks users should feel web is safe by default. HTTP websites will be marked as "not secure" inside Chrome browser by the end of 2018.
HTTPS or SSL certificate costs $60 bucks from GoDaddy and nearly almost all hosting providers sell them around $20-$50. This is extra expense for your site but it is well worth it for the future. Did you know you can get HTTPS for free?
Chrome will mark your site "Not secure". This is how HTTP sites will look like in Chrome by the end of 2018.
How to get HTTPS for free?
Here are 6 places where you can get it on the house (free). I've tested them.
- Let's Encrypt - Let’s Encrypt is free for 90 Days, it is automated.
- Cloudways (Recommended)- If you buy a cloud server, they use Let's Encrypt to give you Free HTTPS. Cloud server options include Digital Ocean, Vultr, Linode etc.
- SSL For Free - The name says it all.
- Zero SSL - There is a certificate wizard, which is neat.
- Quality SSL Trial - They provide full SSL functionality, valid for 30 days only.
- CloudFlare - They have free HTTPS but its weird setup and I have always encountered issues with CloudFlare (In my personal opinion).
What are the benefits of going HTTPS?
Switching from HTTP to HTTPS is one of the most important upgrades you can make for any website, whether it's a small business site, an e-commerce platform, or a large SaaS application.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the benefits you get by using HTTPS (SSL/TLS encryption) in 2025:
- If you have visitors submit any kind of web form or messages, then that information is sent securely via the browser, it is safer to send it with HTTPS. In addition, your entire submission is encrypted.
- Search engines like Google will give you 0.1% of ranking boost with HTTPS, but I think this will diminish in the near future if nearly all sites are HTTPS.
- Moving forward HTTPS is the way to go. The switch from HTTP to secure HTTPS connections (with SSL) prevents downgrade attacks to your website.
Switching from HTTP to HTTPS is one of the most important upgrades you can make for any website, whether it's a small business site, an e-commerce platform, or a large SaaS application. Below is a detailed breakdown of the benefits you get by using HTTPS (SSL/TLS encryption) in 2025:
🔒 1. Enhanced Security
- Data Encryption: HTTPS encrypts all data transferred between the user’s browser and your server. This protects login information, payment details, addresses, and any other customer data.
- Prevents Man-in-the-Middle Attacks: Without HTTPS, someone on the same network (public Wi-Fi, ISP, or malicious proxy) could intercept or inject code into the webpage.
- Protects Cookies & Authentication Tokens: Prevents session hijacking, where someone steals user credentials.
🛡️ 2. Builds Trust & Improves Customer Confidence
- The padlock icon and “Secure” label in browsers instantly tell users they’re in a safe environment.
- Major browsers show security warnings when visiting non-HTTPS websites. Users often leave immediately.
- For e-commerce and login pages, HTTPS is essential to avoid payment processor or compliance issues.
🔍 3. SEO Ranking Boost (Google & Bing)
- Google publicly confirmed HTTPS is a ranking signal. Secure websites rank higher all else being equal.
- In competitive niches, HTTPS can be a tiebreaker for top SERP positions.
- HTTPS is required for many Google features (like using AMP, PWAs, Core Web Vitals enhancements).
🚨 4. Avoid Browser “Insecure” Warnings
- Chrome, Edge, Safari, and Firefox mark HTTP sites as “Not Secure”, especially if there are login forms, password fields, or credit card inputs.
- Starting 2024–2025, additional restrictions are being applied to mixed-content requests, blocking HTTP assets on HTTPS pages.
📈 5. Better Conversion Rates
- Users feel safer entering personal data.
- Trust impacts checkout completion rates, contact form submissions, booking inquiries, and newsletter sign-ups.
- Especially important for mobile users, who frequently abandon pages with browser warnings.
🤖 6. Required for HTTP/2 and Modern Speed Enhancements
- HTTP/2 (and faster protocols like HTTP/3) only work over HTTPS in almost all browsers.
- These provide:
- Multiplexing (faster loading)
- Header compression
- Prioritization of critical resources
Meaning your website loads faster with HTTPS, even if SSL encryption adds slight overhead.
🧾 7. Compliance & Regulatory Requirements
- If your website handles credit cards, medical data, legal information, or personally identifiable information, HTTPS is mandatory.
- Supports PCI DSS, GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA and other regional compliance standards.
🧑💻 8. Enables Secure Features & Integrations
HTTPS is required by:
- Progressive Web Apps (PWA)
- Geolocation API
- Payment Request API
- Service Workers (for caching and offline use)
Without HTTPS, these modern features won’t work.
💼 9. Protects Brand Reputation
- A single browser warning or security alert can undermine trust in your brand.
- SSL certificates (especially EV or branded certs) reinforce professionalism and credibility.
💸 10. Free SSL & Easy Implementation (2025)
- Providers like Let’s Encrypt, Cloudflare, and ZeroSSL offer free SSL.
- Most modern hosting platforms automatically install and renew certificates.
- No more excuses regarding cost or complexity.
If you need help with moving from HTTP to HTTPS, just message me.