Free SSL Certificates (HTTPS Complaint) With All Hosting Accounts
It is a fact: your Website needs the extra protection of an SSL Security Certificates. SSL encrypts data transmitted to and from your website. Including login data and when checking your email. Making your site safer for you and your users.
But with literary thousands of providers and overwhelming levels to choose from, finding the right Security Certificate for your website might feel like a daunting task.
Let us look at the different SSL Security Certificates. What SSL can do for you.
And how to select the right one for your website.
This is an HTTPS security feature that you install to your Website. SSL certificates change the beginning of a URL or website address from “HTTP” to “HTTPS” and most times will add a padlock icon or green bar to your address in a browser.
Having a Security Certificate is the best way to protect your website visitors and make sure all of their valuable data is protected. SSL Certificates encrypt all data transmitted to and from a website, preventing attacks where someone could hijack the data before it reaches its destination. Such data may include credit card information, emails and addresses, passwords, private messages, or other sensitive data.
A Security Certificate Will Build Trust - and it will show that you are taking the proper steps to protect their transactions and privacy. And in turn, that trust can lead to higher sales and sign-ups. A security certificate, is essential for protecting your website and its users. It encrypts sensitive data, like passwords and payment details, ensuring safe transmission over the internet. Beyond security, it boosts user trust by displaying a padlock or "HTTPS" in browsers, signaling a secure site. Search engines like Google prioritize secure websites, improving SEO rankings. In an era of rising cyber threats, a security certificate is a non-negotiable foundation for credibility and safety online
The boost in Loading Times can be quite noticeable due to the HTTP/2 protocol. This is done by features like multiplexing, which allows multiple requests and responses over a single connection, reducing latency. It uses header compression (HPACK) to minimize overhead and supports server push, enabling servers to send resources proactively. HTTP/2 requires SSL/TLS for most browsers, ensuring encrypted, faster, and more efficient data transfer for modern websites.
The major search engines encourage SSL certificates by giving protected sites a bit of a boost in search ranking. By enabling HTTPS, they encrypt data, enhancing user security and trust. Google prioritizes secure sites, rewarding them with a ranking boost in search results. Since 2014, Google has emphasized HTTPS as a ranking signal, and Chrome flags non-HTTPS sites as "Not Secure," deterring users. Implementing an SSL certificate, whether DV, OV, or EV, ensures better SEO, improved user confidence, and alignment with Google’s push for a safer web
Non-secure websites, lacking SSL certificates and running on HTTP instead of HTTPS, face significant risks in 2025. Without encryption, sensitive data like login credentials or payment details are vulnerable to interception by cybercriminals. Google Chrome and other browsers flag HTTP sites as "Not Secure," deterring users and eroding trust. Additionally, Google penalizes non-secure sites with lower SEO rankings, reducing visibility. For any website, especially those handling user data, adopting an SSL certificate (e.g., DV, OV, or EV) is critical to ensure security, boost credibility, and align with modern web standards, including HTTP/2 compatibility for faster performance. Transitioning to HTTPS is essential to protect users and maintain a competitive online presence.
Embracing the future of digital security requires a proactive shift toward innovative technologies and adaptive strategies to counter evolving cyber threats. As our world becomes increasingly interconnected, advanced solutions like AI-driven threat detection, quantum-resistant encryption, and decentralized identity systems are redefining how we protect sensitive data. Organizations and individuals must prioritize continuous learning, invest in robust cybersecurity frameworks, and foster a culture of vigilance to stay ahead of sophisticated attacks. By leveraging cutting-edge tools and collaboration, we can build a resilient digital ecosystem that safeguards privacy and trust in an ever-changing landscape.
Choosing the best SSL certificate depends on your website’s needs. Consider your site’s purpose, budget, and trust requirements, ensuring HTTPS compliance for Google’s SEO boost and user confidence. Always choose a reputable Certificate Authority for reliability.
There are several types of SSL certificates.
A Domain Validated (DV) SSL certificate is the simplest and fastest type of SSL certificate, verifying only domain ownership through automated processes like email or DNS checks. Ideal for small websites, blogs, or personal projects, DV certificates provide basic HTTPS encryption, ensuring secure data transfer and displaying a padlock in browsers. While cost-effective and quick to issue, they offer minimal validation, lacking business identity verification, which may limit trust for commercial sites. DV certificates still improve SEO rankings and meet Google’s HTTPS requirements, making them a solid choice for low-risk, budget-conscious sites.
An Organization Validated (OV) SSL certificate offers a higher level of trust than Domain Validated (DV) certificates by verifying the organization’s identity behind the website. Issued after a Certificate Authority (CA) confirms details like business registration, domain ownership, E-commerce stores and operational status, OV certificates display the organization’s name in the certificate details, boosting credibility. Ideal for e-commerce, corporate sites, or businesses handling sensitive data.
For large businesses, agencies, and any sites with e-commerce or high-risk data.
An Extended Validation (EV) SSL certificate offers the highest level of trust and security among SSL types. Issued after rigorous vetting by a Certificate Authority (CA), EV certificates verify the organization’s legal identity, physical address, and domain ownership. They display a green padlock or the company name in browsers, signaling maximum credibility. Ideal for large businesses, e-commerce platforms, or sites handling sensitive data, EV certificates enhance user confidence, ensure HTTPS encryption, and boost Google SEO rankings. While more expensive and time-consuming to obtain, they’re critical for high-trust environments and support HTTP/2 for faster, secure performance.
Wildcard SSL certificates secure a primary domain and unlimited subdomains under it (e.g., *.example.com covers www.example.com, shop.example.com, etc.). Issued by a Certificate Authority (CA), they can be Domain Validated (DV), Organization Validated (OV), or Extended Validated (EV), depending on the validation level needed. Ideal for businesses with multiple subdomains, Wildcard certificates simplify management and reduce costs compared to individual certificates. They provide HTTPS encryption, boost user trust, and improve Google SEO rankings. However, if compromised, all subdomains are at risk, so strong security practices are essential. Perfect for dynamic sites, they ensure seamless protection and compatibility with HTTP/2 for enhanced performance.
All SSL certs encrypts website data in the same way, but that doesn’t mean they’re completely interchangeable. Free SSL can be great for a website that just wants an HTTPS URL. But they could cause trouble down the road. Here are some of the pitfalls of free SSL:
Many are short-term (e.g., 30, 60, 90 days) you might need to renew them frequently or purchase a pricey option at the end of the “trial period”.
Some do not come with a warranty that protects customers against a validation breach.
They can be very hard to install, requiring advanced knowledge and Server skills. Some require shell or SSH access (Telnet) and cannot be installed via cPanel or similar user-friendly control panels.
Most will not have support to help you with the installation and authentication process. Most only provide the Domain Validation (DV) option. Some use shared certificates. With these, one certificate is used by multiple websites and none of the users actually owns the certificate and thus cannot be completely confident in its security.
Something else you need to watch out for with free SSL is a "Self-Signed Certificate" that are not issued by a Certificate Authority. Self-signed SSL certificates provide no validation and are signed by the issuer’s own private key rather than an independent authority.
When choosing your SSL provider, there are several things to look for:
• Who is the Certificate Authority that they use for their certificates?
• What kind of support and documentation does the company provide?
• Does the provider make SSL management easy and straightforward?
• Does the company provide information about each certificate to help you make the right decision for your website?
• Will the company help if you encounter SSL Warnings?.
Consider RSH Web Services for all your Domains, Hosting and SSL Certificates.
And for all our hosting customers, Free SSL Certificates.
See our article that explains What Is SSL or HTTPS, SSL Certs General Knowledge Base, and our SSL FAQ's.
the importance of SSL/TLS certificates in ensuring web security cannot be overstated. With over 305 million SSL certificates active, the shift towards encrypted connections has become a global priority. The adoption of HTTPS has surged, with 88.08% of websites now using secure protocols, underscoring a significant commitment to protecting user data
However, the journey to full encryption is not without challenges, as nearly 12% of websites remain vulnerable, highlighting the ongoing need for enhanced security measures. The industry is also preparing for a major shift, with SSL/TLS certificate lifespans decreasing from 398 days to just 47 days by 2029, which will necessitate more frequent management and automation of certificates
This transformation is crucial as cybersecurity threats evolve, requiring businesses to stay vigilant and adapt to the changing landscape of digital security.
A senior content writer for RSH Web with a fondness for composing engaging and informative articles. In addition to...
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Comments (1)
Great article on SSL certificates! I’ve been looking into securing my small business website, and this breakdown of DV, OV, and EV certificates really helped clarify things. I didn’t realize the impact of HTTPS on SEO rankings—definitely considering a switch now. One question: how do you recommend handling certificate renewals for a site with multiple subdomains? Is a wildcard certificate the best option, or should I go for a multi-domain one? Thanks for the insights!
Thanks for your comment and kind words! For a site with multiple subdomains, choosing between a wildcard certificate and a multi-domain (UCC/SAN) certificate depends on your specific needs. A wildcard SSL certificate is ideal if you have a single domain with multiple subdomains (e.g., blog.yourdomain.com, shop.yourdomain.com) as it covers all subdomains under one certificate, simplifying management and often reducing costs. However, if the certificate is revoked for one subdomain, it affects all others covered by it