How to get an SSL certificate for my website

SSL stands for secure socket layer. An SSL certificate is a digital certificate that creates a secure link between the website and a visitor’s browser. Different websites have different requirements for SSL certificates.  An SSL certificate occur in premium or in a free version to websites that require users to hand over sensitive information like login usernames and passwords.  A site that has an SSL certificate has its URL starting with HTTPs.

Why does your website need an SSL certificate?  

1. An SSL certificate encrypts information and keeps it safe and secure on the internet.
2. It enhances search engine ranking on google and other SEO platforms. High ranking on SEO attracts more website traffic building your brand online.
3. An SSL certificate affirms your identity by providing authentication to a website.
4. When you want to install an SSL certificate, you must go through a validation process. Depending on the type of SSL certificate, the certificate authority verifies your identity and the business identity.
5. Customers are more likely to do business with you or visit your site frequently if your site is operating on secure SSL certificate encryption.
6. As one of the essential requirements in payment card industry, an SSL certificate will allow you to transact and receive online payments using your website.
7. Using SSL certificate in your site improve the loading speed of pages. The faster your website, the more people visit and the more ranking in search results page.

Getting an SSL certificate and installing it in your website

Identify your business needs, the purpose of the SSL in your site and all domains that need an SSL certificate

Choose a legitimate certificate authority who is responsible for approving your application. Most hosting companies provide different types of SSL certificate based on the level of encryption you seek. The most common SSL certificates available in the market include domain validated, organization validated and extended validated SSL certificates.

For free SSL certificate;

The SSL certificate is issued for free with any domain registered with AskSSL. The free SSL provide secure website operations giving you time to choose the best premium certificate to suit your business. Free SSL certificate include Comodo 90 days and free Let’s encrypt certificate. Free Let’s encrypt is issued by let’s encrypt certificate authority and is renewable after every three months.

AskSSL has integrated with the Cpanel to allow users easily install the Let’s encrypt SSL certificate in their websites. The free SSL certificate is easy to install, it is secure, completely free and need to be renewed annually upon expiry. AskSSL allow one click of the free Let’s encrypt certificate from the Cpanel. Login to your Cpanel and check out on let’s encrypt in the security section to install it in your site.

All the main browsers recommend Comodo issued certificates. They are issued 90 days for free

to familiarize yourself with the functionality of the SSL certificate. If you are taking a short-term

project Comodo SSL certificate will suit you best.

For premium SSL certificate;

The prices of the SSL certificate vary with different SSL providers. The best SSL features all your business needs.

1. To purchase an SSL certificate, select an SSL certificate from the premium option and the certificate authority to issue the certificate. This initiates the verification process which takes a few minutes for domain validated and a few days for OV and EV SSL certificates to be issued.
2. You need to have a unique internet protocol address for each certificate and the server set up to get the WHOIS record. The WHOIS record proves that for a particular domain you are the legal owner and are authorized to order the certificate.
3.  Generate a certificate signing request then submit to the certificate authority who will use the information you have submitted in the CSR to create an SSL certificate for your website.
4. You are free to install the SSL certificate. The domain is validated by the certificate authority as they issue the certificate to you. If you hosting plan come with an SSL certificate, you can request your web host to activate the certificate on your behalf.
5. Visit your website to validate if the installed SSL certificate is working. Verify this by checking on the address bar which should have a green reflection if the site is secured with the SSL. The sites URL should begin with HTTPS instead of HTTP.
6. After getting the SSL certificate, update all internal links, links pointing to images and files and set up all redirects.  

It so easy to get an SSL certificate for your website. Get an SSL certificate for your website by getting the right certificate authority to issue the certificate at a suitable price within your budget. As you the various certificate types and determine which will serve your business best.