Why Is My Website Coming Up as Not Secure?

You open your website and see a warning:
“Not Secure” in the browser bar.

It’s not a good look—especially for visitors who don’t know what’s going on.

Here’s what it means, why it happens, and how to fix it.

What does “Not Secure” mean?

When a website is marked as “Not Secure,” it usually means it doesn’t have a valid SSL certificate.

An SSL certificate:

• Encrypts data between your website and your visitors
• Adds the little padlock symbol in the address bar
• Changes your site’s URL from http:// to https://

Without it, browsers show a warning to protect users.
This is especially common in Chrome, Safari, and Edge.

Why does it matter?

A “Not Secure” warning can:

• Scare away potential customers
• Damage trust in your brand
• Stop people from entering their details or making payments

It also affects your search rankings.
Google prefers secure websites and may rank you lower if your site isn’t using HTTPS. If you’re already struggling with visibility, this could be one of several issues holding you back — we cover more in our guide on why your website might not be showing up on Google.

Common reasons your site says “Not Secure”

1. No SSL certificate installed
   You never added one to your domain.
2. Expired SSL certificate
   It was added but hasn’t been renewed.
3. Mixed content issues
   Some parts of your site (like images or scripts) still load over HTTP, even if you have HTTPS.
4. Domain settings
   Your site might be accessible by both http:// and https:// versions, and Google is picking up the insecure one.

How to fix it

You can fix this in a few ways, depending on your setup.

• Install or renew your SSL certificate
  Many web hosts offer free SSL with services like Let’s Encrypt.
• Force HTTPS across your site
  Redirect all traffic from http:// to https://.
• Update all internal links
  Make sure images, scripts, and links are loading securely.
• Use a plugin (if using WordPress)
  Tools like Really Simple SSL can help fix issues automatically. If you’re running a WordPress website, there are plenty of straightforward options for sorting this out.

Security is just one part of the puzzle. A site that’s secure but slow or poorly structured still won’t perform well — website speed and performance matter just as much when it comes to keeping visitors on your pages.

Not sure how to do this?

If you’re unsure where to start or just want it sorted quickly, we can help.

At Pixelish, we build secure, professional websites as standard.
We make sure everything is locked down, fast, and built to last—so you never have to worry about things like this.

Need help fixing your current site or want something new that just works?

Get in touch today.