Having an SSL certificate on your website is modern, cool, and a must-have. However, most clients have no idea what an SSL certificate is and what problems and benefits it entails. First, you need to choose the right certificate. Every proper certificate should have at least 256-bit encryption and a key length of 2048 bits (RSA), so we won’t differentiate by the strength of the certificate.
256-bit certificates are categorized as follows:
BY NUMBER OF DOMAINS:
- Single Domain: For one domain, e.g., www.mydomain.com. This certificate does not apply to mydomain.com. These are the oldest certificates and are rarely used today.
- Single Domain with and without www: The most common certificates, affordable and versatile.
- Wildcard Certificate: For one domain and all its subdomains. Typically 10 times more expensive than a standard certificate.
- Multi-Domain Certificates: For multiple domains. Very expensive with complex integration.
BY USAGE:
- For E-Commerce Sites
- For Informational Websites
- For Corporations
BY CERTIFICATION AUTHORITY WARRANTY:
- Low Warranty: $10,000
- Medium Warranty: $10,000 - $15,000
- High Warranty: $100,000
- Extreme Warranty: $1 - $2 million
BY PAPERWORK REQUIREMENTS:
- YES
- NO
BY GREEN BAR:
- YES
- NO
BY MOBILE DEVICE SUPPORT:
- YES
- NO
BY D-U-N-S CHECK:
- YES
- NO
... AND PRICE
There’s a lot to consider. In practice, clients often don’t know what they need and usually require the simplest, most affordable certificate. For one domain with or without www, for informational sites (even if they have an e-commerce component), with low warranty, no paperwork, no green bar, no D-U-N-S check, and with mobile device support. The cheapest SSL certificate that suits almost everyone.
Benefits of an SSL Certificate on a Website:
- Encrypted Connection
- Ability to Sell on Google Shopping
- Gain a few SEO points with Google
- Increased Trust with Clients
Drawbacks:
- Encrypted Connection Requires Higher Hosting Performance and Longer Load Times
- The Website Must Be Properly Configured Without Mixed Content: In layman's terms, all images, videos, etc., must be displayed via relative or HTTPS addresses; otherwise, the site appears untrustworthy. This is a common issue and requires the webmaster to make adjustments.
- If You Forget to Renew the Certificate After a Year, the Error Message Will Deter Most Visitors.
- Even with Mobile Device Support, Some Devices May Have Issues.
SSL certificates are crucial for e-commerce sites and anywhere credit card payments are accepted. For a simple personal or informational website, an SSL certificate is unnecessary. The only benefit is gaining a few SEO points with Google.