Have a website that needs to be secure? Find out what SSL certificates are and how they help keep your site protected.
Have a website that needs protection? Learn how SSL certificates can help keep it secure.
Whether you’re starting a new business, launching a site for your current one, or just trying to improve your website, you want everything to be just right. That includes not only helpful content, services and images but also making sure your site is safe and trustworthy.
Having antivirus software and firewalls is a good first step but there are more things to think about for online security. Hackers are always trying to find weak spots, so it’s important to stay alert and add extra layers of protection for both your site and its visitors.
That’s where an SSL certificate comes in. It’s a key security tool that shows your website is safe to use. It creates an encrypted connection, helping protect the information shared between you and your visitors while they browse your site.
What is an SSL Certificate?
An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is a digital tool that proves your website is real and trustworthy. It shows visitors that your site is genuine and the content is what they should expect.
SSL also helps protect information by encrypting the data that’s sent between computers. This means that while the information is being transferred, no one else can read it. If a hacker tries to intercept it during the transfer, the data will look like scrambled nonsense and won’t make any sense. Once it safely reaches the other person, they can read it normally.
As people become more aware of online security, they’re starting to look for SSL certificates to check if a website is safe. These certificates show that the website owner is taking the right steps to protect the site and its visitors.
How can you tell if a website has an SSL certificate?
You might not always notice but when you visit websites—especially online stores or blogs—you’ll start to pick up on small details in the browser’s address bar.
One clear sign is the website’s URL. If it starts with “HTTP,” the site doesn’t have an SSL certificate. But if it begins with “HTTPS,” that extra “S” means the site is secure. It shows that your visit, messages and even shopping are protected from the moment you land on the page.
That one extra letter “S” in “HTTPS” means that all the information shared between you and the website stays private and protected. It shows that the site uses encryption to keep hackers or other unwanted people from stealing your sensitive details — especially ones that could lead to identity theft.
For example, hackers could try to steal:
- Your full name
- Your address
- Your phone number
- Your bank details
- Your credit card number
- Your Social Security number
This is the type of information people often share when they create an account or make a purchase on your website. That’s why it’s important to show them that you’ve done everything you can to keep their data safe.
If your site doesn’t seem secure, potential customers might avoid it and even your loyal visitors may stop trusting you — which can hurt the relationships you’ve worked hard to build.
Create a website that truly represents your brand. Build it from the ground up, link your custom domain, track your visitors and improve your site for better search engine results.
Get an instant quote now
Who needs an SSL certificate & why?
In the past, SSL certificates were mainly recommended for online stores that needed to protect sensitive customer information during transactions.
But now, experts say that anyone with a website can benefit from having an SSL certificate. Whether you’re a freelancer, a blogger or running a small business, it helps build trust with your visitors. People should feel safe when they browse your site, read your content, watch videos, sign up for emails or make a purchase.
Also, if you don’t have an SSL certificate, you could face issues with Google’s ranking system. Google Chrome marks websites without a valid SSL certificate as “Not Secure,” which can hurt your site’s visibility. This means your website might appear lower in search results—maybe on page 2, 3 or even further down—making it harder for people to find you.
Since Google Chrome 62 came out in 2017, the browser has started warning users when a website doesn’t have an SSL certificate. And because Chrome is the most widely used browser in the world, having a valid SSL certificate is very important. Without it, visitors will see warnings that your site isn’t secure which can make them lose trust in your website.
What are the differences between types of SSL certificates?
Now that you know why an SSL certificate is important, let’s take a closer look at the different kinds you can get.
All SSL certificates provide the same level of encryption to protect data. The main difference between them is how much the business is verified before getting the certificate.
Extended Validation (EV)
An Extended Validation SSL certificate offers the highest level of trust. To get one, your business has to go through a strict verification process to prove that it’s real and that you own the domain. This type of certificate gives visitors strong confidence in your website.
Organization Validation (OV)
An Organization Validation SSL certificate doesn’t require as much checking as an EV but it still confirms that your business is legally registered and that you own the domain. It helps show customers that your site is safe and trustworthy.
Domain Validation (DV)
A Domain Validation SSL certificate is the easiest and quickest to get. Unlike EV and OV certificates that need a detailed approval process and can take a few days, DV only asks you to prove that you own the domain.
But because it doesn’t involve much verification, it’s also easier for scammers—like phishers—to get one and make fake websites seem real. So, if your site will be collecting sensitive customer data, it’s better to choose a higher-level certificate that requires more vetting.
These are the most common types of SSL certificates but there are a few others you might want to look into as well.
Multi-Domain Validation
A Multi-Domain SSL certificate lets you protect several domains owned by the same person with one certificate. It can help save both time and money. However, if you add a new domain later, you’ll need to get the certificate reissued to include the new one.
Wildcard Validation
If you have one main domain and want to secure its subdomains too, a Wildcard SSL certificate is a good choice. It covers your main domain and unlimited subdomains. Plus, getting a new certificate for each subdomain is a simple process.
When picking the right SSL certificate, choose the best level of security that fits your budget and business needs.
Where can you get an SSL certificate?
Getting an SSL certificate is pretty simple but picking the right type and provider is important. Choosing the wrong certificate or setting it up incorrectly can be just as risky as not having one at all.
Start by checking with your web hosting company—many hosting plans include a basic SSL certificate. Look at what’s offered and see if it gives you the level of security you need. If you want more validation, your host may have upgraded options for an extra cost.
You can also choose to buy an SSL certificate from a trusted certificate authority outside of your hosting provider. They’ll verify your details based on the level of validation you choose.
After you get the right SSL certificate for your website, you’ll know it’s active when a padlock icon appears next to your web address. But just seeing the padlock doesn’t always mean everything is set up properly. To be sure your certificate is working as it should you can test your site using a tool like SSL Labs. This helps confirm that your site is fully protected for both you and your visitors.
Is a TLS certificate better than an SSL certificate?
TLS (Transport Layer Security) came out in 1999 to replace SSL but most people still call it “SSL” or say “SSL/TLS.” Both do the same job — they protect data as it travels across networks so that only the right person can read it.
So, no need to worry about the name. Even if it’s called an SSL certificate, it usually supports both SSL and TLS protocols.
Boost your website’s security with an SSL certificate
If you’re setting up your own web server, it’s important to understand what an SSL certificate does. Installing one helps create a secure, encrypted connection so visitors can feel safe while shopping or browsing your site.
Having a valid and updated SSL certificate is a smart move for your business. It can stop some browsers from showing security warnings and may even help improve your ranking on Google. Most importantly, it protects your customers’ private data and helps build trust in your brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an SSL certificate free?
Yes, you can get an SSL certificate for free which is great for small businesses with tight budgets. But there are some downsides.
Free SSL certificates usually only last for 90 days, so you’ll need to renew them every three months. Also, they often come with fewer features—they might only protect your main domain and not any subdomains or extra pages.
Do I need an SSL certificate for my website?
If your website asks for personal info or sells products, you definitely need an SSL certificate. Without it, browsers might mark your site as “Not Secure” and warn users before they visit.
Having an SSL certificate also helps your site rank better in search engines. It protects your visitors’ sensitive info and makes them feel more confident using your site—which can lead to more traffic and more sales.
Can SSL be hacked?
While nothing online is 100% safe, SSL certificates are very hard to hack. They don’t make your site bulletproof but they do add a strong layer of security. Having one helps protect you and your visitors from cyber threats.
Create a website that truly represents your brand. Build it from the ground up, link your custom domain, track your visitors and improve your site for better search engine results.
Get an instant quote now
