http and https web security

HTTP vs. HTTPS: Why SSL is Mandatory for SEO and How to Fix “Not Secure” Warnings

Control Web Panel, DNS Management, Domains, Hosting Management, Server Management, Server Security, Web Security

Imagine this scenario: A potential customer clicks on your website to buy a product or read your blog. But before the page even loads, they see a scary red warning in the address bar: “Not Secure.”

What do they do? They leave immediately.

In the modern web, Trust is currency. If visitors don’t trust your connection, they won’t give you their credit card, their email, or their time.

The difference between a trustworthy site and a suspicious one often comes down to one letter: S.

In this guide, we will explain the critical difference between HTTP and HTTPS, why Google penalizes sites without SSL, and how to fix that “Not Secure” warning on your Web Hosting account in minutes.

The Difference: HTTP vs. HTTPS

To understand the solution, we must understand the problem.

1. HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol)

Think of HTTP like sending a Postcard through the mail.

  • The Process: You write a message and drop it in the mailbox.
  • The Risk: Anyone who handles that postcard along the way—the mailman, the sorter, the neighbor—can read exactly what is written on the back.
  • On the Web: If you send a password or credit card number over HTTP, a hacker sitting in the same coffee shop (using public Wi-Fi) can intercept and read that data in plain text.

2. HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure)

Think of HTTPS like sending a Locked Armored Truck.

  • The Process: Before the data leaves your computer, it is scrambled into an unreadable code (Encrypted).
  • The Safety: Even if a hacker intercepts the truck, they can’t open it. Only the server with the correct digital key (SSL Certificate) can unlock and read the message.

Why Is SSL Mandatory in 2024?

It is no longer just about protecting credit cards. Here is why you need HTTPS even for a simple blog:

  1. The “Not Secure” Warning: Since 2018, Google Chrome marks all non-HTTPS sites as “Not Secure.” This destroys your brand reputation and increases your bounce rate (visitors leaving instantly).
  2. SEO Ranking Factor: Google has officially confirmed that HTTPS is a ranking signal. If two websites are equal in quality, the one with SSL will rank higher in search results. Without it, you are fighting a losing battle for traffic.
  3. Performance (HTTP/2): Modern browsers use a faster protocol called HTTP/2, which allows files to load simultaneously. HTTP/2 requires HTTPS to work. So, secure sites are actually faster sites.

How to Fix the “Not Secure” Warning

Fixing this issue involves three steps: Getting the certificate, Installing it, and Forcing your site to use it.

Step 1: Get an SSL Certificate

An SSL Certificate is a digital file that binds a cryptographic key to your domain.

  • The Good News: At VPSPioneer, we believe security should be standard. All our Web Hosting and VPS plans come with Free AutoSSL (Let’s Encrypt). You don’t need to pay extra for basic security.
  • Premium Options: For e-commerce sites needing a warranty or a “Green Bar,” check our Website Security options.

Step 2: Force HTTPS (The Redirect)

Just installing the certificate isn’t enough. You must tell the browser to always use the secure version, even if someone types http:// by mistake.

For cPanel Users:

  1. Log in to cPanel.
  2. Go to Domains.
  3. Toggle the switch that says “Force HTTPS Redirect” to ON.

For Manual Configuration (.htaccess): If you manage your own server, add this code to the top of your .htaccess file:

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]

Step 3: The “Mixed Content” Error (The Tricky Part)

Sometimes, you install SSL, but the padlock icon is still missing or looks broken. This is called Mixed Content.

It happens when your site loads securely via HTTPS, but an image or script on the page is still loading via an insecure HTTP link (e.g., <img src="http://example.com/image.jpg">).

How to Fix It:

  • WordPress Users: Install a plugin like “Really Simple SSL”. It automatically scans your database and replaces all http:// links with https://.
  • Developers: Open Chrome Developer Tools (F12) -> Console. It will list exactly which images are insecure. Update their URLs in your code.

Conclusion: Trust is Everything

In the digital world, your reputation is built on trust. That little padlock icon next to your URL tells your visitors, “You are safe here.”

Don’t let a “Not Secure” warning scare away your customers. Ensure your site is encrypted, compliant, and ready for SEO success with VPSPioneer’s secure hosting infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Does SSL slow down my website? A: No! In fact, it often makes it faster. While there is a tiny amount of processing power needed to encrypt data, HTTPS enables the HTTP/2 protocol, which is significantly faster than the old HTTP/1.1 used by insecure sites.

Q: Do I need SSL if I don’t sell anything? A: Yes. Even if you just have a contact form, you are collecting personal data (names, emails). GDPR and other privacy laws require this data to be protected. Plus, without SSL, your Google rankings will suffer.

Q: How often do I need to renew my SSL? A: Free Let’s Encrypt certificates expire every 90 days. However, on VPSPioneer Web Hosting, our system automatically renews them for you in the background, so you never have to worry about expiration.