What is HTTPS?
HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) is the encrypted version of HTTP. It wraps all data in TLS encryption before sending it across the internet. The padlock icon in your browser means the connection is using HTTPS.
How it works in online booking
When a client books an appointment and enters their credit card number, HTTPS encrypts that data before it leaves the browser. Even on coffee shop Wi-Fi, intercepted traffic is just scrambled characters. Every page that collects personal data or payments must use HTTPS - browsers block form submissions on plain HTTP. Sites built with the booking website builder run on HTTPS by default.
Benefits
- All data in transit stays encrypted - card numbers, personal info, passwords
- Required by Stripe, PayPal, and Square - they won't process payments on HTTP pages
- Google ranks HTTPS sites higher than HTTP - measurable search visibility boost
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between HTTP and HTTPS?
HTTP sends data as plain text - anyone on the same network can read it. HTTPS encrypts everything with TLS. The only difference is that encryption layer. HTTPS needs an SSL certificate on the server. Performance is nearly identical - HTTPS adds less than 5ms of latency.
How do you switch a booking site from HTTP to HTTPS?
Install an SSL certificate (free from Let's Encrypt), configure your server to serve HTTPS, set up a 301 redirect from HTTP, and update all internal links. Add the HTTPS version in Google Search Console as a new property. Hosted platforms like Calendesk handle everything automatically.
