The SSL certificate, represented by the visible lock in the URL bar, communicates to web users that the site they are visiting is secure. This information is also sent to search engines that confirm the website is safe for navigation.
Our SSL certificate is included in the Custom Hosting Plans
SSL means ‘Secure Sockets Layer’ namely the security protocol that authenticates and encrypts data on network connections between a web server and a web browser (e.g.: Chrome, Firefox, Safari,…).
So the SSL certificate serves to protect the connection between your website and your users from malicious activities.
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Table of contents:
Why your website needs an SSL Certificate
If you have a portfolio site, an e-commerce or a Blog the SSL certificate is necessary to ensure your users a secure navigation.
Here are some reasons why an SSL certificate is essential for your websites:
- Protects the personal data of your online visitors
The main reason why an SSL certificate is necessary is that it ensures that the data shared between user and web server is encrypted and protected from hacker threats, phishing, and identity theft.
Have you ever seen the message “Your connection is not private” in your browser while visiting a website? With a valid SSL certificate, this does not happen.
So an SSL certificate alerts your users that they can navigate securely and share sensitive data like emails, passwords, and credit card numbers on your website.
Having an SSL certificate communicates to your users/customers that they can trust your site. - Guarantees the identity of your website (and your company)
When you visit a website, you check that it is the correct one and not a phishing site with the aim of stealing your personal data. Being able to verify a website’s identity is essential for web security and this is exactly what an SSL certificate does: it verifies the authenticity of the web server’s identity.
In fact, when an SSL certificate is installed, an identity verification process is required, so if your site has an SSL certificate, it guarantees its own identity as well as that of the associated company. - Improve your website’s search engine positioning
To ensure a safe navigation, search engines have imposed very strict rules stating that they prefer encrypted sites with SSL, i.e., HTTPS instead of HTTP. SSL transforms Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) into Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS).
So SSL today is also an SEO ranking factor. If you want your website to reach the first page of Google, the first step is a valid SSL certificate.
How do SSL Certificates Work
As previously stated, the SSL certificate encrypts the data to make the connection between the hosting server and the user’s application (web browser or app) visiting a website secure.
Let’s give an example.
Your website is secure because it is protected by an SSL certificate. When a user uses a web browser to visit it, the browser requests that the hosting server of your website identify itself.
The server will respond by sending a copy of its SSL certificate to the browser. The browser will perform some validation checks to verify that the SSL certificate is trustworthy and will send a message to the server.
At this point, the server will digitally recognize the SSL certificate and initiate an encrypted SSL session between your website and the visitor’s browser.
Types of SSL Certificates
There are several types of SSL certificates: the difference lies in the number of domains and subdomains, and the level of certificate validation.
The four different types of SSL certificates are as follows:
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- SINGLE-DOMAIN SSL Certificates
As the name itself communicates, this type of certificate protects a single domain and all pages on that domain. But it does not protect associated subdomains.
For example, if you have an SSL certificate for the domain www.iltuodominio.com, this will include all pages related to this domain, such as www.iltuodominio.com/servizi.
But it will not cover subdomains like prodotto.iltuodominio.com.
- Wildcard SSL Certificates
Like the single domain SSL certificate, the wildcard SSL certificate protects only a single domain. Unlike the previous one, it covers all subdomains related to that single domain. A single wildcard SSL certificate protects an unlimited number of subdomains.
Multi-domain SSL Certificates
The purpose of this certificate is the opposite of the SSL Wildcard certificate, as it protects multiple domains but does not protect related subdomains. It is also known as Subject Alternative Name (SAN) and Unified Communication Certificate (UCC).
- Wildcard Multi-domain SSL Certificates
The wildcard multi-domain SSL certificate combines the features of multi-domain SSL certificates and wildcard certificates. In other words, with a single certificate, you can protect multiple domains and all their respective subdomains.
SSL validation levels
The SSL certificate validation level is assigned by the certification authorities (CA) who validate the authenticity of your company before issuing the SSL certificate.
There are three different levels of SSL certificate validation:
- Domain Validation (DV) SSL Certificates
DV is the simplest form of SSL certificate validation and applies only to domain ownership verification. It is usually done through an email verification and does not require further investigation from the CA. It is also the most economical and fastest way to acquire an SSL certificate.
- Organization Validated (OV) SSL Certificates
OV is the next level when it comes to validation. Besides validating your domain, the CA also verifies your company by contacting you or your company directly. The CA checks the possession of the domain and that this will be used for a legally registered activity. These certificates are considered very reliable.
- Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificates
EV is typical among corporate websites and offers the highest level of trust and reliability. It implies full control of your business. The acquisition of this certificate involves a rigorous control process by the CA.
On some browsers, the names of companies with SSL EV certificates are displayed prominently. They will be shown in green next to the domain name when accessing their website.
Type of SSL Certificate Validation Level:
Pros and cons of different SSL Certificates
Protect your websites with an SSL certificate has only advantages. But every certificate has pros and cons depending on the purpose and your needs.
For example, the single-domain SSL certificate has the advantage of being very convenient but, as described earlier, it does not protect subdomains.
While a Wildcard SSL certificate is certainly more expensive but covers a single domain, all its related pages, and an unlimited number of first-level subdomains, the disadvantage is that it does not cover any second-level subdomains.
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Furthermore, multi-domain SSL certificates have the advantage of covering multiple domains at the same time. They are more expensive, but you can buy only one that covers all your domains instead of buying an SSL certificate for every domain, making it more convenient.
The wildcard multi-domain SSL certificate has the advantages of both examples above and covers up to 100 unlimited first-level subdomains and domains. The only drawback is certainly the high price. However, like the multi-domain SSL certificate, the wildcard SSL is definitely more convenient for large enterprise websites.
How to choose the right SSL Certificate
There are different types of SSL certificates as we have described.
If you want your website to appear professional, comply with search engine rules and be reliable for those who visit it, but you do not know how to choose the most suitable SSL certificate for your needs, our experts will give you a tailored answer for your agency.
For a portfolio website or a blog with a single domain, the single-domain SSL certificate is the most suitable, convenient, and does its job.
If your business website has a single domain but multiple subdomains, then the ideal is the SSL Wildcard certificate: it will be the most economical and suitable solution for this requirement.
For large websites or multi-company sites, i.e., more than one domain (for example, your agency that manages websites for many companies, each with its own domain), the multi-domain SSL certificate is the ideal choice. This solution will cover all of your clients’ domains and will certainly be more economical than purchasing an SSL certificate for every domain.
If your company wants to save time and money, the multi-domain wildcard SSL certificate is ideal for protecting multiple domains and an unlimited number of subdomains.
Here is a table that outlines the advantages of each type of SSL certificate:
How do users know if your website possesses an SSL Certificate
Users who visit your website can easily check if there is the SSL certificate that protects your website and also verify if it is valid or not. Here’s how: look at the URL address bar of Hosting 4 Agency home page, and you will notice a small lock at the beginning. This means that our site is protected by an SSL certificate.
If you are reading this article from Google Chrome, click on the lock and select “Certificate”. In this way, you can see all the details on the SSL certificate installed on our Hosting 4 Agency site: who issued it, who it belongs to, and its validity date.
Oltre all’icona con il lucchetto, puoi notare che l’URL nella barra degli indirizzi inizia con HTTPS (è nascosto di default su alcuni browser). HTTPS indica che la connessione sul nostro sito è sicura e che ha un certificato SSL autorizzato.
How much does a SSL Certificate cost
The cost of SSL certificates varies from zero to significant budgets depending on the type of certificate, the level of validation, and from the provider you are purchasing from (Comodo, VeriSign, GeoTrust, etc.).
For example, in all our WordPress Hosting plans the SSL Certificate is included in the annual hosting cost.
When you purchase a paid SSL certificate, the cost of SSL DV and single-domain certificates is the most accessible.
As your needs grow, you are likely to need a more scalable solution like Wildcard SSL certificates even though they have a higher cost, this will be split across many websites making it convenient. The OV and EV SSL certificates are the most costly and provide the highest encryption for organizations and enterprises.
Summary
The SSL certificates are already adopted by almost all websites because they guarantee a secure internet connection. With the increase in web security threats, the first ambassadors in support of these certificates are precisely the best-known and most-used search engines.
Now you have a clearer idea of the different types of SSL certificates and the different levels of validation. This will be useful for evaluating the choices to make for your web or creative agency.
After securing your website navigation with an SSL certificate, we recommend doing an SSL check to make sure everything is functioning correctly.
Do you have doubts about which SSL certificate is really suitable for your site?
Contact our team for personalized advice: we will analyze your needs and help you choose the most secure and convenient SSL solution.
