Hypertext Transfer Protocol / Development Terms Hypertext Transfer Protocol Hypertext Transfer Protocol, commonly abbreviated as HTTP, is the foundational protocol used for transferring data across the web. It enables communication between a user’s web browser and a website’s server, allowing the browser to request and receive content such as HTML pages, images, videos, and files. When you type a website address starting with “http://” or “https://” into your browser, you are using this protocol to retrieve information from the internet. HTTP operates as a request-response protocol. When you visit a website, your browser sends a request to the server that hosts the site. The server then processes this request and responds by sending back the requested resources. HTTP uses standard methods such as GET (to retrieve data), POST (to submit data), PUT (to update data) and DELETE (to remove data). Most modern websites use a secure version known as HTTPS, which encrypts data in transit to protect user privacy and security. Understanding HTTP is important for web developers, digital marketers and SEO specialists. It affects how search engines crawl your site, how fast pages load and whether users feel safe while browsing. Sites that use HTTPS instead of HTTP benefit from improved trust, better performance and higher search rankings. For nonprofits, B2B platforms and e-commerce websites, using HTTPS with a valid SSL certificate is essential for securing donations, protecting customer data and ensuring compliance with privacy standards.