How to Acquire Cheap SSL Certificates (Easy 4 Step Guide)

As web designers ourselves, we know how challenging gaining people’s trust can be in online business especially if your business collects sensitive data from customers. 

In this article, we will share how to acquire cheap SSL certificates, the “must-have” digital certificates for securing business websites.

Business websites and any financial institutes, government websites, or other e-commerce websites that get access to any of its user’s credit card numbers, passwords, or any such personal details can benefit from this certificate.

How can this SSL certificate benefit you? Let’s take a look.

 

What is an SSL Certificate?

If you already have any idea of what an SSL certificate is, that’s great. We are happy to brief you for those new and interested in knowing what this term is about. 

An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate verifies a website’s identity and enables an encrypted connection between a web server and a browser. The main idea behind this is to secure and keep all the user data private that is passed through the web server and browser. 

 

Why Use an SSL Certificate?

It is essential to get an SSL certificate for people with a business website or other websites that store their customers’ sensitive information. 

We believe that, though essential, one must always know in detail how it will benefit them, which will help them implement it in the right place. Therefore, we would like to share a few points to help you identify how it will benefit your field of interest. 

  • Protecting Sensitive Information: 

Sensitive information of users or customers includes passwords, credit card numbers, and other social security numbers. This data must be kept confidential and protected in such a way that it is not hacked. Getting an SSL certificate for your website will encrypt data sent between a web server and a browser, which will help to protect these data. 

  • Increases the Visitor’s Trust: 

SSL certificates will display a visual indicator in the browser to ensure that the website they are visiting is secure. This will make your website more trustworthy, and visitors need not worry about sharing their sensitive information with your website as they believe that their data is safe in your hands. 

  • Boost SEO: 

Websites without SSL certificates tend to lack preference with Google and other search engines. If you own a website with an SSL certificate, these search engines will give your website more preference and improve SEO as your website gets a chance of ranking higher in search results. 

 

How to Acquire SSL Certificates in 4 Simple Steps:

We have compiled a list of a few simple steps you can follow if you plan to get one for your website. 

Step 1: Choose Which Type of SSL Certificate You Need:

There are many SSL certificates, so choosing the one you need the most is necessary. We can classify the types as follows:

Validation level: Domain Validation, Organization Validation, and Extended Validation

Secured Domains: Single Domain, Wildcard, and Multi-Domain

We want to specify three main types you must know when buying SSL certificates. If you request a certificate verifying that you own the domain name, Domain Validation (DV) will be your best choice. This is also the primary type of SSL certificate available.

If you wish to verify that you own the domain and that your organization is legal, Organization Validation (OV) can suit your needs. 

Financial institutions that collect highly sensitive data can go for Extended Validation (EV). This verifies not only your domain ownership but the organization’s legal and physical existence.  

Step 2: Choose the Right Certificate Authority:

Different CAs offer SSL certificates. Always make sure to select the most reputable CA. Some popular CAs include Comodo, GeoTrust, and Sectigo SSL Certificate. If you are looking for key players, then DigiCert and GlobalSign are great choices. These CAs also offer some of the most affordable SSI certificates you can purchase. 

Since the Certificate Authority issues the SSL certificates, ensure the right unique IP address, accurate WHOIS record, and business validation before going through the process.

Step 3: Generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR):

Ensure you generate CSR in your web server before requesting an SSL certificate. A CSR is a file that has information about your website. The information includes your domain name, e-mail address, city, country, and organization’s contact information.

Step 4: Submit the CSR to Your CA:

After generating your CSR, you can submit it to the CA for validation. This will be based on the SSL certificate you wish to purchase. The CA will check and verify your domain name and other organization information provided. 

Once your request has been processed, you will receive an e-mail from which you can access your SSL certificate. You can easily install the SSL certificate on your website with the given access. 

SSL2Buy

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it important to have an SSL certificate?

SSL certificates are essential for a website because they secure your website and protect sensitive customer information from hackers. Also, with the SSL certificate, you can improve your SEO and rank higher in search engines.

What is the meaning of an invalid certificate?

When the browser does not validate your certificate, it is considered invalid. This results from not having any SSL certificates installed or having an unverified business identity. There are many other reasons for the invalid certification error, including domain mismatch, certificate issuer identity not verified, misconfiguration of your certificate, incorrect date or time in the device, and broken certificate structure.

What is the validity period for an SSL certificate?

The maximum validity of an SSL certificate is five years, but you have to reissue an SSL certificate every year, which is mandatory. However, the certificate authority determines the validity period of an SSL certificate.

 

How to Save Money on SSL Certificates

Though buying an SSL certificate can successfully be achieved with some simple steps, we advise the website owners to test the SSL certificate. It will give you a sign of relief by ensuring that your certificate is exactly how you expected it to be. 

As website owners, you will aim to provide your users with the best user experience. With SSL certificates, you can improve user experience and boost SEO, secure data from hackers, and gain your visitor’s trust. 

We want to conclude with our favorite CA, where you can find a few cheap SSL certificates. Our choice for you is Comodo. As we already said, it is a popular CA that offers a wide range of SSL certificates. You can also get a cheap Domain Validation certificate here. The cost of an SSL certificate will vary depending on the type of certificate you choose. 

So, what are you waiting for? Follow our easy steps to get your SSL certificate for your website now! We hope this article will help you get a clear idea of the SSL certificates. Want to know more about SSL certificates, let us know in the comments. 

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