Redirecting your website from HTTP to HTTPS is not just a technical upgrade; it’s a vital move for user trust, data protection, and search engine optimization. When a site uses HTTP instead of HTTPS, modern browsers often label it as “Not Secure,” which deters users and can negatively affect your site’s credibility. If you’re serious about SEO and building a reliable digital presence, setting up a redirect HTTP to HTTPS should be a top priority.

In this comprehensive guide brought to you by DGR Academy, as part of our Once Digital Marketing Course in jaipur, you’ll discover four proven methods to effectively redirect HTTP traffic to HTTPS — tailored for different platforms and skill levels.

Why Redirect HTTP to HTTPS?

Switching from HTTP to HTTPS offers several important benefits:

• Data Encryption: Protects user information from being intercepted.
• SEO Boost: Google considers HTTPS a ranking factor.
• User Trust: Shows a padlock icon in the browser, boosting credibility.
• Feature Access: Required for features like progressive web apps, service workers, and secure payment gateways.

Now let’s dive into the step-by-step methods to implement this essential change.

Method 1: Redirect Using .htaccess (Apache Server)

If your site runs on an Apache server, the Redirect HTTP to HTTPS easiest way to force HTTPS is by editing your .htaccess file. In your site this file is located in the root directory .

Steps:

1. Connect to your web server using FTP or a file manager.
2. Locate the .htaccess file in your root folder.
3. Add the following code at the top:

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

4. Save and upload the file.

This method creates a 301 permanent redirect, which tells search engines to index the HTTPS version of your site.

Method 2: Redirect via cPanel from Redirect HTTP to HTTPS

If you’re using a web host that offers cPanel, you can redirect HTTP to HTTPS without touching any code.

Steps:

1. Log in to your cPanel dashboard.
2. Go to Domains > Redirects.
3. Select Permanent (301) as the redirect type.
4. Choose the domain you want to secure.
5. In the destination field, enter the HTTPS version (e.g., https://yourdomain.com).
6. Click Add to save the settings.

Ideal for beginners or small businesses using shared hosting.

Method 3: Redirect in WordPress via Plugin

For WordPress users, the easiest way to implement an HTTPS redirect is through a plugin like Really Simple SSL.

Steps:

1. Log into your WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate to Plugins > Add New.
3. Search for Really Simple SSL.
4. Install and activate the plugin.
5. It will automatically detect your SSL certificate and apply HTTPS settings.

Perfect for bloggers, eCommerce sites, and non-technical users.

Method 4: NGINX Redirect Configuration

If your website is hosted on a VPS or cloud server with NGINX, you’ll need to modify the NGINX configuration file.

Steps:

1. Open your NGINX configuration file (usually found at /etc/nginx/sites-available/default).
2. Add the following code block:

server {
    listen 80;
    server_name yourdomain.com www.yourdomain.com;
    return 301 https://yourdomain.com$request_uri;
}

3. Save the file and reload NGINX:

sudo nginx -s reload

Redirect HTTP to HTTPS method requires root access and is best for advanced users or developers.

Summary Table

Final Tips Before You Redirect

• Install SSL First: Before setting up redirects, ensure your SSL certificate is properly installed. Most hosting providers offer free SSL via Let’s Encrypt.
• Check for Mixed Content: Use tools like Why No Padlock to find insecure elements (like images or scripts still loading over Redirect HTTP to HTTPS ).
• Use 301 Redirects: These permanent redirects signal to search engines that the move to HTTPS is intentional and permanent — preserving your SEO value.

• 

DGR Academy Recommends: Secure Your Site Early

In the Once Digital Marketing Course by DGR Academy, we emphasize HTTPS implementation early in your SEO strategy. It’s one of the simplest ways to build trust, rank higher, and future-proof your website.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to optimize an existing site, this move is non-negotiable in today’s digital world.

Want to Learn More?

Join the Once Digital Marketing Course by DGR Academy to master web security, SEO, WordPress optimization, and much more. Redirect HTTP to HTTPS Our step-by-step lessons are beginner-friendly and tailored to help students, bloggers, and businesses grow their online presence with confidence.

Secure your future — one redirect at a time.