What is SSL? The Difference Between SSL and HTTPS, and Why It Matters

You’ve probably noticed a little padlock icon in your browser’s address bar or seen websites starting with “https://”. That usually means the site is using an SSL certificate. But what exactly is SSL, and how is it different from HTTPS?

GetYourSSL

9/15/20254 min read

From data protection and SEO rankings to user trust and legal compliance, this guide breaks down everything you need to know about SSL and HTTPS.

What is SSL?

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a technology that encrypts data transmitted over the internet, making the communication secure. Its main purpose is to prevent any third party from reading or tampering with the information shared between a user and a website.

When a website has an SSL certificate, any data transferred between the browser and the server is securely protected. This can include: Personal information, login credentials, payment details, and more sensitive data.

Passwords (e.g. website login details)

Credit card and payment info

Personal info (e.g. name, address, e-mail etc.)

Thanks to SSL, this information is encrypted in such a way that only the intended parties can decrypt and read it. In short, SSL = safe data transmission.

SSL uses a 256-bit encryption key, which is one of the strongest security standards available today. It’s virtually impossible to crack with current technology, making it a reliable way to keep your data safe online.

What is HTTPS?

HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) is essentially the secure version of the standard HTTP protocol we all know—protected by SSL or TLS encryption.

Normally, when data is transmitted over HTTP, it’s sent as plain text. This makes it easy for malicious actors to intercept and read the information. But when HTTPS is used, that data is encrypted by SSL/TLS and sent through a secure tunnel.

In other words, HTTPS is simply HTTP made secure with the help of an SSL certificate.

The padlock icon in the address bar and web addresses that start with “https://” are clear signs that the site is using an SSL certificate.

a sign that says web site on the screen is secured

Can You Have SSL Without HTTPS?

Answer: No

a computer screen with a lock and a padlock on it

For HTTPS to work, there must be an SSL certificate (or its modern version, TLS) running in the background.

If a website doesn’t have an SSL certificate, it operates over plain HTTP, meaning the data transmission isn’t encrypted. This poses a serious risk—not just to security, but also to user trust.

a diagram of the differences between http and https

The Connection Between HTTPS and SEO

Since 2014, Google has officially recognized HTTPS as a ranking factor. This means that if two websites offer the same quality of content, the one using HTTPS will rank higher in Google search results.

On top of that, browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and other modern ones label HTTP sites as “Not Secure.” That warning alone can cause a large number of visitors to leave the site immediately.

a red warning sign with a red arrow pointing to the text "not secured"

In short, using HTTPS:

Boosts your SEO performance
Increases user trust
Helps prevent visitor drop-off

E-commerce sites, blogs, corporate websites—it doesn’t matter what type of site it is; HTTPS is a critical security and SEO advantage for every website.

HTTP and HTTPS Comparison

The table below highlights the main differences between HTTP and HTTPS:

a table with a list of different types of webpages

The Importance of SSL and HTTPS

An SSL certificate isn’t just a technical security measure—it’s also a key part of your brand’s reputation. Visitors are more likely to leave a website they perceive as unsafe.

a man and woman looking at a computer screen with the words ssl

Not using HTTPS, especially on e-commerce sites, can lead to:

Users abandoning the site during checkout
Lost sales opportunities
Weakened SEO performance

On top of that, in some countries, data protection laws (like Turkey’s KVKK or Europe’s GDPR) require that user data be encrypted. This means SSL is not just a matter of security anymore—it’s also a legal obligation.

In Summary

🔒 SSL is the technology that encrypts data.

🔒 HTTPS is HTTP made secure through SSL.

🔒 You can’t have HTTPS without SSL.

🔒 HTTPS is essential for both security and SEO.

Today, if you want a secure, trustworthy, and Google-friendly website, HTTPS is a must, and SSL is the foundation that makes it possible.
If your website doesn’t yet have an SSL certificate, don’t wait—click here to find the certificate that best fits your needs and get protected right away.