SSL certificate – a simple way to make customers trust your website

Security online is a standard today, not an option. Google openly flags sites without SSL as “Not secure”, and users – seeing no padlock in the address bar – often give up on getting in touch or buying. An SSL certificate is a simple step that protects data, builds credibility and increases conversion. What is SSL? How does it work? And why should every website – even a small one – have it?

How does an SSL certificate work?

An SSL certificate (Secure Sockets Layer) is a protocol that provides encryption of data transmitted between the user’s browser and the web server. Thanks to it, third parties have no access to the information being sent – even if they intercept it, all they will see is a meaningless string of characters.

How SSL works can be boiled down to three key steps:

1. Server identification – when a connection is being established, the browser verifies the server’s SSL certificate to make sure it is connecting to the right place.
2. Encryption key negotiation – the server sends a public key to the browser, which uses it to encrypt the data. The server then decrypts it with its own private key.
3. Transmission encryption – from that point on, all communication between the browser and the server is secure.

The result? Login credentials, contact forms and payment card details cannot be intercepted by third parties.

Types of SSL certificates – which one to choose?

The choice of an SSL certificate depends on the size of the company, the type of website and the budget. Here are the main types:

• DV (Domain Validation) – the simplest and quickest to obtain. It verifies domain ownership only. Ideal for blogs and small company websites.
• OV (Organization Validation) – additionally verifies the organisation that owns the domain. A better choice for companies that want to build trust.
• EV (Extended Validation) – the highest level of security, confirming full verification of the organisation.
• Wildcard SSL – lets you secure the main domain and all of its subdomains. A great choice for large websites.
• Let’s Encrypt – a free SSL certificate that works well for small websites or test projects. It does, however, need to be renewed every 90 days.

How do you install an SSL certificate?

Installing an SSL certificate is easier today than ever. If you use cPanel, Plesk or DirectAdmin, it takes just a few clicks in the admin panel. At many hosting companies SSL is available free of charge and installed automatically when a domain is added. If you do not have access to the hosting panel, manual installation on the server will be necessary – and that is a good moment to call in specialists.

At IVN we handle certificates end to end – from installation through to configuring HTTPS redirects. As a result your site works securely straight away, with no drop in Google rankings.

Why is an SSL certificate essential?

• Data security – without SSL, the data being sent is exposed to “man-in-the-middle” attacks.
• Higher rankings in Google – since 2018 Google has treated the absence of SSL as a ranking factor and flags sites without it as “Not secure”.
• User trust – seeing the green padlock in the browser increases a company’s credibility.
• Conversions – sites with an SSL certificate generate more orders, because customers feel safer shopping online.

Checklist: how to choose and roll out SSL

• Define what your site needs (blog, shop, portal).
• Choose the type of certificate (DV, OV, EV, Wildcard).
• Check whether your hosting offers free SSL.
• Install the certificate or hand it over to specialists.
• Test the site to confirm HTTPS works correctly.
• Redirect traffic from HTTP to HTTPS.

FAQ – the most common questions about SSL certificates

• Is an SSL certificate required by law? Yes – for sites that process personal data (e.g. online shops), SSL is mandatory under the GDPR.
• Is the free SSL from Let’s Encrypt safe? Yes, but it needs renewing more often and does not come with the guarantees offered by OV or EV certificates.
• What happens if my site has no SSL? Browsers will flag it as “Not secure”, which can put users off and hurt your SEO.