Product Information

Free SSL and Paid SSL – What’s the Difference?

  • What is an SSL?

Imagine you’re having a private conversation in a crowded room, and you want to make sure no one else listens in. SSL is like a special language that only you and the person you’re speaking to understand. If someone tries to eavesdrop, all they’d hear is rubbish!

In more technical terms, SSL stands for “Secure Sockets Layer.” When you have an SSL on your website, it keeps information shared between your website and its visitors private and secure. This is especially important if you’re running a business website where customers might be entering personal details or making payments.

You can tell a website is using SSL when you see “https” (instead of just “http”) at the beginning of the web address or when you see a little padlock symbol in the address bar. Having SSL not only keeps your website’s data safe but also makes your customers feel confident and trust your site more. So, it’s like having a secret, secure handshake with each visitor to your website!

  • Free SSL Certificates

As the name suggests, free SSL certificates come at no cost to the website owner. Hosting providers, like smarthost.ie, often offer free SSL certificates as part of their hosting packages. The certificate authority typically checks free certificates by validating the domain. This means they just confirm if the requester owns the domain.

Pros of a Free SSL Certificate

  • Cost-Effective: Perfect for personal websites or startups working with a tight budget.
  • Ease of Setup: Usually, hosting providers offer easy integration and setup for free SSL certificates.
  • Basic Security: They encrypt SSL certificates to ensure a secure connection between the user and the web server.

Cons of Free SSL certificate

  • Limited Validation: Free SSL certificates usually offer only domain validation, which might not be enough for e-commerce websites or larger businesses.
  • Shorter Validity Period: They often come with a shorter validity period and require frequent renewals.
  • Lack of Additional Features: Features like daily malware scanning, trust site seal, or extended validation are typically not part of the free package.
  • Paid SSL Certificate

A Paid SSL certificate, on the other hand, is provided by commercial CAs (certificate authorities) at competitive prices. They come in various types, including domain-validated, organisation-validated (OV), and extended validation (EV) certificates.

Pros of Paid SSL certificates

  • Higher Trust Level: EV certificates, in particular, display the green bar in web browsers, increasing customer trust.
  • Versatility: Paid SSL certificates offer options like multi-domain certificates, which can secure multiple web addresses.
  • Technical Support: Paid certificates often come with technical support, ensuring that any issues are swiftly addressed.
  • Extended Validation: EV certificates go beyond just domain validation. The validation process checks the business identity, ensuring a higher level of website security.
  • Trust Seal: Many paid SSL certificates come with a trust seal that can be displayed on the website, further enhancing customer confidence.

Cons of Paid SSL:

  • Cost: While they offer a plethora of features, paid certificates come at a price.
  • Complex Setup: OV and EV certificates might require additional verification, making the setup process somewhat longer.
  • Free SSL vs Paid SSL: Making the Choice

  • Nature of Website: For personal websites or blogs where no sensitive information is exchanged, a free SSL certificate might suffice. However, for e-commerce websites where online payments are involved, a paid SSL is recommended.
  • Budget: If you’re on a tight budget, starting with a free SSL and then transitioning to a paid one as your business grows can be a strategy.
  • Customer Trust: Paid SSL certificates, especially EV ones, come with visible indicators like the green bar or trust seal, which can boost customer confidence.
  • Technical Support: If you’re not technically inclined or want the assurance of support, opting for a paid SSL is wise.
  • Technical Differences Between Free and Paid SSL Certificates

From a technical standpoint, both free and paid SSL certificates function on the same foundational principle: they use asymmetric encryption to establish a secure connection between the web server and the client’s browser. Both types can activate the padlock symbol and HTTPS protocol in web browsers, ensuring encrypted communication.

Validation Levels

The primary technical differences often lie in the validation levels and features offered. Free SSL certificates, such as those from Let’s Encrypt, typically provide only domain validation (DV), which verifies the ownership of the domain. Paid SSL certificates, on the other hand, can offer organisation validation (OV) and extended validation (EV).

Domain Validation (DV)

Domain Validation is the most basic form of SSL certificate validation. The Certificate Authority (CA) checks only the ownership of the domain to ensure that the person requesting the certificate has control over the domain.

Use Cases: Ideal for personal blogs, informational websites, or any platform where transactions or exchange of sensitive data are not a primary concern.

Organisation Validation (OV)

Organisation Validation offers a higher level of assurance compared to DV. In addition to verifying domain ownership, the CA also checks certain details about the organisation, such as its name, location, and existence.

Use Cases: Suitable for business websites, e-commerce platforms, and any site where a moderate level of trust is required.

Extended Validation (EV)

Extended Validation is the highest form of SSL certificate validation. The CA conducts a rigorous and comprehensive vetting process, ensuring the legitimacy and identity of the business.

Use Cases: Best for large-scale businesses, e-commerce websites, financial institutions, or any platform that handles sensitive user data and requires the highest level of user trust.

Additional Features and Benefits

Additionally, paid SSL certificates might come with extra features like:

  • Wildcard Support

    This allows the certificate to secure subdomains under a primary domain.

  • Warranty

    Some certificates offer warranties against potential security breaches.

  • Technical Support

    Many paid SSL providers offer dedicated technical support to address any issues.

  • Trust Seals

    These are visual indicators that can be added to a site to show it’s secured by a trusted certificate authority.

Whether choosing a free or paid SSL certificate, it’s essential to consider the technical features and validation levels to ensure optimal security and trustworthiness for website visitors.

  • The Connection Between SSL and SEO

Over the past few years, search engine optimisation (SEO) has evolved to prioritise user experience and safety. One significant development in this regard is the emphasis on website security, specifically the integration of SSL certificates. Google has explicitly mentioned that SSL adoption is a ranking signal in their algorithm. But what does this mean for website owners, and how does SSL intertwine with SEO strategies?

How SSL Improves SEO

  • Building Trust with Users

    An SSL certificate, indicated by the padlock symbol and ‘HTTPS’ in the web address, assures users that their data is secure. A trusted environment encourages more extended and repeat visits, indirectly boosting SEO.

  • Reduced Bounce Rate

    Visitors are more likely to leave a website quickly (bounce) if they receive a “Not Secure” warning, which can happen on sites without SSL. A higher bounce rate can negatively impact your site’s search engine rankings.

  • Data Integrity

    SSL ensures that the data transmitted between the web server and the browser remains unchanged and is not tampered with. This data integrity is crucial for both users and search engines to trust the content of your site.

  • Enhanced Site Speed

    Modern SSL certificates can work with HTTP/2, a protocol that significantly speeds up website loading times. Faster websites provide a better user experience and are favoured by search engines.

Google’s Stance on SSL

Google has been an advocate for a more secure web. In 2014, they announced that HTTPS would be used as a ranking signal. While it’s a lightweight signal compared to quality content, it’s still a factor, and as the web continues its trajectory towards more robust security measures, its influence might increase.

Implementing SSL for SEO Benefits

If you’re starting a new website or haven’t yet implemented SSL on your current site, now’s the time. Transitioning from HTTP to HTTPS is relatively straightforward:

  • Obtain an SSL certificate from a trusted certificate authority.
  • Install and activate the certificate on your web server.
  • Update your website’s settings to use HTTPS as the default protocol.
  • Ensure all internal links and resources are also updated to use HTTPS.
  • Set up 301 redirects to send all HTTP traffic to your new HTTPS pages.

Having an SSL certificate is not just about encryption and security—it’s also about trust, credibility, and enhancing your website’s visibility in search engine results. As the lines between user safety and SEO continue to blur, the marriage of SSL and SEO becomes ever more critical. Secure your website, provide a safe environment for your visitors, and enjoy the SEO benefits that come with it.

Conclusion

In the battle of free SSL vs paid SSL, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on your website’s security needs, budget, and the level of trust you wish to instil in your visitors. At smarthost.ie, we offer free SSL certificates with every web hosting plan, ensuring that even if you’re on a budget, your website’s security isn’t compromised. For those looking for more advanced security features, we also have competitive prices for paid SSL options.

Remember, whether free or paid, an SSL certificate is crucial in today’s digital age. It not only protects sensitive information but also boosts trust, which is invaluable in the online realm.

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