Protect your users, customers, and leads as they browse pages, read posts, submit interest forms or purchase products from your website. An SSL certificate is the best way to do that. SSL certificates transform HTTP into HTTPS. They also validate and encrypt data that travels across the internet, ensuring a secure connection between you and your visitors.
How To Buy An SSL Certificate
The type of purchase an SSL will depend on the kind of business you have. For example, a coffee shop that communicates only basic information like its location and opening hours would need a Domain Validation (DV) SSL certificate. You must generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) file on your web server before submitting it to the certificate authority to verify ownership of the domain. The CSR file will contain the website's public key. Once the certificate has been validated and issued, it will be sent to you by email. Then you will install it on your website.
An SSL certificate is no longer just a nice-to-have security add-on; it's a necessary part of any modern website. It encrypts your site's data, shows visitors your site is authentic, and displays a padlock icon in the browser. Plus, it helps you rank higher in search results as Google prioritizes secure sites. And with Namecheap, you can get an SSL at a price that's right for your budget.
Getting An SSL Certificate From Your Hosting Provider
Regardless of whether you sell products or services online or just collect customer information through forms, your website should have an SSL. The technology prevents sensitive data like names, email addresses and passwords from falling into the wrong hands by encrypting data during transmission between servers. The encryption is verified through a process called a "SSL handshake" that happens within milliseconds when a web browser connects to a secure server. The server sends back a certificate that validates the identity of the server and initiates an encrypted session.
Customers who see a pop-up warning telling them that a site isn't secure won't trust it with their personal information and may avoid visiting it altogether, costing your business revenue. An SSL also boosts your search engine rankings by showing Google that you take security seriously. It also helps you meet PCI/DSS standards (required by credit card companies) for ecommerce sites and other sites that accept payment information from users.
Getting An SSL Certificate From A Third-Party Vendor
If you want to use a different Certificate Authority (CA), or if your hosting provider doesn’t offer an SSL, you can get one through a third-party vendor. The process is similar to buying from your hosting provider, but you will need a unique piece of information called the CSR. CSRs can be generated from a web browser and sent to the CA to validate your domain. Once the CA confirms your domain ownership, they will issue the SSL and send it to you for installation on your website.
The type of SSL you choose will depend on the level of validation required by your business. For example, an extended validation SSL certificate requires your site and business to undergo more intensive vetting to ensure they are legitimate. This helps to reassure visitors that your site is safe. It also meets PCI/DSS requirements for websites that accept credit cards and other payment methods. It can also help improve search engine rankings, since Google rewards sites that use SSL with a higher ranking.
Installing An SSL Certificate
Adding SSL encryption to your website is a simple way to protect customer data. This will ensure that any information submitted to your site is secure from prying eyes and helps to build trust among your customers. purchase an SSL provide a layer of security that keeps sensitive information such as credit card details and login credentials private from hackers. SSL encryption also boosts your SEO rank in search engines and is essential for websites that collect user data such as contact or login forms.
You can purchase SSL certificates from your hosting provider or third-party vendors. Once you have your certificate, follow the instructions from the vendor to install it on your server. The type of SSL certificate you choose depends on your needs and budget. The most common types are domain validated (DV), organization validation (OV), and extended validation (EV). An EV certificate requires that you pass a standardized identity verification process before being issued the certificate.