Why HTTPS is Non-Negotiable
Google requires it
- HTTPS is a ranking factor since 2014
- Chrome marks HTTP sites as "Not Secure"
- Users trust HTTPS sites more
How SSL Works
- Browser requests secure connection
- Server sends SSL certificate
- Browser verifies certificate
- Encrypted connection established
- Data transfers securely
Free vs Paid SSL
| Type | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Let's Encrypt | Free | Most websites |
| Cloudflare SSL | Free | Sites using Cloudflare |
| DV Certificate | ₹500-2,000/yr | Small business |
| OV Certificate | ₹5,000-15,000/yr | Business verification |
| EV Certificate | ₹15,000-50,000/yr | E-commerce, banking |
Setup Options
- Vercel/Netlify - Automatic HTTPS (free)
- Let's Encrypt + Certbot - Free, auto-renewing
- Cloudflare - Free SSL with CDN
- Hosting provider - Most include free SSL
After Setup Checklist
- Redirect all HTTP to HTTPS
- Update internal links to HTTPS
- Update sitemap with HTTPS URLs
- Check for mixed content warnings
- Update Google Search Console
All my websites include HTTPS setup by default.