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What Is HTTPS? A Complete Guide from Absolute Digital

  • Clarissa
  • Jul 8
  • 5 min read

Updated: Jul 9

HTTPS Illustration

In today’s digital world, website security and credibility matter more than ever. When users visit your website, they want to feel safe—and search engines want to recommend trustworthy sites. The "S" in HTTPS signifies security, and it plays a pivotal role in protecting user data, improving SEO, and building brand trust.


At Absolute Digital, a leading digital marketing agency and SEO agency in Singapore, we believe HTTPS is non-negotiable. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain what HTTPS means, why it matters, how it works, and how you can implement it to boost your site’s performance and rankings—all while showing how Absolute Digital helps businesses leverage HTTPS for success. Let’s dive in.



1. What does HTTPS mean?


HTTPS stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure. It is the secure version of HTTP, the protocol that web browsers use to retrieve information from web servers. HTTPS encrypts data exchanged between the user's browser and your website using SSL/TLS certificates.


This encryption ensures that sensitive data—like login credentials, personal information, and payment details—is protected from eavesdroppers and cybercriminals.



2. How Does HTTPS Work?


HTTPS works through two key processes:


  1. SSL/TLS Handshake


    • The browser requests a secure connection.

    • The server presents its SSL/TLS certificate.

    • The browser validates the certificate’s authenticity.

    • Both parties agree on encryption methods and exchange keys.


  2. Encrypted Data Transfer


    • Once the secure channel is established, data is encrypted using these agreed keys.

    • This prevents third parties from reading or altering the information.



3. Why HTTPS Matters for SEO and Business


a. Enhanced Security


HTTPS protects against man-in-the-middle attacks, data interception, and content tampering. It’s vital for protecting user trust.


b. SEO Benefits


Google confirmed HTTPS as a ranking signal. While it’s a modest factor, secure websites have an edge. HTTPS also prevents security warnings in browsers, which can hurt user engagement.


c. Increased User Trust


Websites showing the padlock icon or "Secure" label earn more trust. Users are less likely to bounce or abandon purchases on a secure site.


d. Access to Advanced Features


Modern browser APIs—like HTTP/2, Service Workers, and geolocation—require HTTPS, unlocking better performance and user experiences.



4. Understanding SSL/TLS Certificates


There are different certificate types:


  • Domain Validated (DV): Quick and affordable verification of domain ownership.

  • Organization Validated (OV): Includes business identity verification; builds trust.

  • Extended Validation (EV): Premium certificates with green address bar or verified badge.

  • Wildcard Certificates: Cover one domain and all its subdomains.

  • Multi-Domain/SAN Certificates: Secure multiple domains under one certificate.


Choosing the right certificate depends on your needs—budget, branding, and how many domains you manage.



5. How to Implement HTTPS


Here are the steps Absolute Digital uses to secure our clients’ websites:


  1. Choose a certificate type and provider (e.g., Let’s Encrypt, DigiCert).

  2. Install the certificate on your hosting or server.

  3. Enforce HTTPS with a 301 redirect from HTTP.

  4. Update all internal links, sitemaps, canonical tags, and scripts to HTTPS.

  5. Fix mixed content (HTTP resources called on an HTTPS page).

  6. Submit the updated sitemap to search engines.

  7. Test implementation through browser console, SSL Checkers, and performance tools.

  8. Monitor site performance and error logs.



6. Avoiding Common HTTPS Issues


  • Mixed Content Errors: Old assets might still use HTTP—update these to HTTPS.

  • Redirect Chains: Too many redirects slow down the site; use direct HTTPS redirects.

  • Expired Certificates: Set reminders to renew certificates before expiration.

  • Broken Links or External Resources: Ensure 3rd-party links also use HTTPS.



7. How HTTPS Impacts SEO Indexing and Performance


  • Search Ranking: A minor but positive ranking signal.

  • HTTPS in Site Structure: Make sure XML sitemaps, robots.txt, and canonical URLs use HTTPS.

  • Faster Page Load: HTTPS allows HTTP/2, improving loading speed and user experience.



8. Absolute Digital’s HTTPS Strategy


As a specialist SEO agency in Singapore, we integrate HTTPS optimization into our technical SEO offerings:


  • HTTPS SEO Audits: Check for mixed content, redirect setup, certificate issues, and page speed.

  • Certificate Procurement & Installation: Help clients choose and install the right certificates.

  • Sitewide HTTPS Migration Planning: Ensure smooth migration without disrupting SEO.

  • Redirect & Link Cleanup: Update internal and external references.

  • Performance Tuning: Leverage HTTP/2, gzip compression, and TLS parameters.



9. Real-Life Case Study


Client: E-commerce brand in Singapore

Situation: Still using HTTP; customers received security warnings

Our Steps:


  • Migrated to HTTPS and set up secure redirects

  • Updated every link and asset on the site

  • Enabled HTTP/2 and optimized server-side settings


Results:


  • +15% page speed

  • +12% organic traffic

  • +8% conversion rate due to improved trust



10. Advanced Considerations


  • HSTS (HTTP Strict Transport Security): Instructs browsers to always use HTTPS—protects from downgrade attacks.

  • OCSP Stapling: Speeds up SSL validation by serving certificate status with the HTTPS handshake.

  • Load Balancers & CDN: Ensure SSL passes through if using intermediary services.

  • Staging and Subdomain HTTPS: Treat all versions (dev, www, subdomain) with security.

  • Regular Monitoring: Watch error rates, certificate status, and response times for any problems.



11. Frequently Asked Questions About HTTPS


Q: Is HTTPS fully secure?


A: No, HTTPS is not fully secure. It encrypts data between your browser and the website, but it doesn’t protect against phishing, malware, or insecure site content. It’s safer than HTTP, but not foolproof.


Q: Does HTTPS slow down a site?


A: No—as long as optimized TLS and HTTP/2 are implemented, HTTPS may improve speed.


Q: Is HTTPS mandatory for SEO?


A: While not mandatory, it’s strongly recommended—Google favors secure sites.


Q: Can HTTPS fix site errors?


A: It helps with mixed content and crawl problems, but won’t fix site errors like 404s or duplicate content.


Q: How often should SSL certificates be renewed?


A: Let’s Encrypt uses 90-day certs; others last 1–2 years. Renew before expiration.


Q: Do subdomains need their own HTTPS?


A: Yes. Each subdomain should be secured, via wildcard or separate certs.



12. Conclusion


What Is HTTPS and Why Every SEO Strategy Needs It


In a world where privacy and security are paramount, HTTPS is a critical factor for website performance, trust, and SEO.


At Absolute Digital, we integrate HTTPS just as seriously as design and content strategy. From audits to migration, configuration, and monitoring, our end-to-end HTTPS approach helps ensure your website is secure, fast, and highly visible to both users and search engines.


Absolute Digital’s HTTPS Expertise


As a leading digital marketing agency and SEO agency in Singapore, we offer:


  • Technical HTTPS audits and optimization

  • Certificate sourcing and installation

  • Full-site migrations and redirect cleanup

  • Performance tuning (HTTP/2, HSTS, OCSP stapling)

  • Ongoing HTTPS monitoring



Ready to boost your website’s security, user trust, and search rankings?


Contact Absolute Digital, Singapore’s trusted SEO agency, and let us help you harness the power of HTTPS.


📞 Call us at +65 9899 8787

📧 Email us at hello@absolutedigital.sg

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