6 Best options to get an SSL certificate for free

SSL, or “Secure Sockets Layer,” is a security method that creates a secret link between the browser and the web server. This safe link is also called Transport Layer Security and is used to send passwords, payments, and other private information. At first, online shops used it to get paid through encrypted gateways. Later, Google made SSL a ranking factor affecting where a website appears in search results. SSL is now the most important thing for any website because it helps with SEO and security.

This article will go through the “6 best ways to get an SSL certificate for free.” Let’s begin by discussing what an SSL certificate is and how it works.

How does SSL work, and what is it?

SSL is a security protocol that links a web server and an encrypted browser. It makes the link safe and stops third parties from seeing or changing the information being sent.

A website owner must buy an SSL certificate from a Certificate Authority (CA). The CSR, which stands for “Certificate Signing Request,” is what the CA will use to make the certificate.

The CSR is a piece of encrypted text on the server where the certificate will be placed. It has things like the website’s domain name, contact information, and the public key that will be used to secure web hosting data being sent.

When the visitor’s computer tries to access the website, the web server will send a copy of the certificate to check.

If the process works, it will set up an SSL-secured link. The website’s URL will start with HTTPS, and based on the browser, there may be a padlock icon in the address bar.

What’s the point of an SSL certificate?

Having an SSL certificate does more than keep private information safe. This part will explain why you need this digital license for other things.

Make things safer

SSL certificates provide vital protection from malicious attacks. You must protect logins, addresses, and other sensitive information even if the site doesn’t allow purchases.

HTTP, used by websites without SSL certificates, is text-based and easy to intercept and read. HTTPS protects data with cryptographic keys, making security more sophisticated and tougher for attackers to see.

HTTPS prevents man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks. Someone between the website’s server and the client’s browser can do these hacks.

Attackers can steal data or direct traffic to a phishing site to steal login credentials or confidential information. SSL certificates protect your data even if someone steals your link.

Build up trust

Establishing a relationship of trust with your clientele is essential. Your customers need proof that giving you their information is safe, especially if you run an online business. Research shows that 17% of shoppers don’t put in their credit card information because they don’t trust the website enough.

An SSL certificate tells users they can safely share information with the website. This makes them more likely to use your service and keeps you ahead of competitors who don’t have one.

Also, it helps people ensure the website belongs to them before joining or giving other sensitive information.

Improve your SEO

Your SEO strategy will also be better if you add an SSL certificate. Google and other search engines use how secure a website is as a big part of ranking pages.

Since Google Chrome and other web browsers want to ensure users can browse the web safely, they show a “Not Secure” message on all non-SSL websites to inform visitors.

If you have an SSL certificate, you have an edge over competitors who don’t, and your site will rank higher on search engine results pages (SERPs).

Reduced non-returners

Having an SSL certificate on your site will make users feel safer, making them less likely to leave. More people will feel safe visiting your site if you encrypt their personal information and eliminate the red Google warning. This will lower the number of people who leave your site quickly (your bounce rate) and, hopefully, increase your conversions.

Types of SSL Certificates

Extended Validation Certificates, or EV SSL

An Extended Validation Certificate is the best and most expensive type of SSL certificate. For a website owner to get an EV certificate, they must go through a standard process to verify their name and prove that they own their domain.

Importance of EV SSL:

Since EV certificates are expensive and involve a protracted verification process, well-known websites (like banks or healthcare providers) that frequently accept online payments or request a lot of personal information from their users tend to use them.

Organization-Validated Certificates (OV SSLs)

The main goal of the Organization Validation SSL certificate is to encrypt private information while transactions are going on. The OV certificate has a high level of trust, just like the EV certificate, and it is also used to check the trustworthiness of a business.

The second-most expensive are OV SSL certificates. To get them, website owners must undergo a long approval process run by a Certification Authority. During this process, the Certification Authority looks into the website owner to see if they have the right to their domain name.

Importance of OV SS:

Commercial and public-facing websites that receive and store customer information (like web apps) often need OV certificates.

Domain-validated SSL (DV SSL) Certificates

Domain Validation SSL certificates have less security and less guarantee than other SSLs. So, not many checks need to be done to get this type of certificate. The process only requires website owners to reply to an email or phone call to prove they own the domain.

Importance of DV SSL:

Since DV certificates are one of the cheapest and easiest to get, blogs and informational websites that don’t need to give their users extra security often use them.

Wildcard SSL Certificates 

Wildcard SSL certificates are offered as both OV and DV and are used to secure a base domain and unlimited subdomains. The biggest advantage of buying a wildcard certificate is that it costs less than buying several single-domain certificates.

In their popular name, wildcard SSL certificates have an asterisk. The asterisk means any valid subdomain with the same base name can be used. As an illustration, the general name can be *.example.com, which would let this certificate be installed for blog.example.com and account.example.com.

Importance of Wildcard SSL Certificates:

Customers needing encryption for multiple subdomains can buy an OV or a DV Wildcard certificate based on their business needs. For example, this could be useful for writing services that give users different subdomains.

Multi-Domain SSL Certificates

Multi-Domain SSL certificates can protect up to 100 domain names and subdomains with just one certificate, saving time and money. Businesses can add, change, or remove SANs as required from the Subject Alternative Name (SAN) field.

Multiple names could be protected by upgrading Domain Validated, Organization Validated, Extended Validated, and Wildcard certificates.

Importance of Multi-Domain SSL Certificates: 

Multi-Domain SSL certificates are often used by companies with offices in more than one country or by foreign conglomerates that must protect more than one top-level domain name.

Unified Communications Certificates (UCC)

Multi-Domain SSL Certificates, also known as Unified Communications Certificates (UCC), have the same benefits. EV SSL certificates can be made from UCCs.

Importance of Unified Communications Certificates:

At first, UCCs were made to protect Microsoft Exchange and Live Communications systems. But now, any website owner can use them to encrypt multiple names with a single certificate.

Where can I find out how to receive a free SSL Certificate?

MyResellerHome:

When you run your site with a trustworthy and well-known company, you can get SSLs for free. This is a simple, easy-to-understand way to do things. MyResellerHome is the best place for you if this is the case. They are one of the most reliable and well-known hosting service companies. When you sign up for one of their plans or deals, you get the best services and don’t have to pay extra for a certificate. They provide reliable reseller hosting services.

One of the most important reasons to use this method is that, in addition to getting a gift, you will also get a reliable base for hosting your websites.

WebsiteHostingWorld:

The second service on this list works the same way as the first. When you sign up for one of WebhostingWorld’s plans or deals. You become qualified to get SSLs without having to pay extra. You can also take advantage of their great services and get licenses. To protect your website for free, which reduces any risks that the internet might pose.

Let’sEncrypt SSL:

Let’s Encrypt is now a well-known name that everyone knows is linked to free certificates. A nonprofit group gives free certificates to over 250 million websites. And the number keeps getting bigger.

One thing that makes them different from others is that they are a nonprofit group. They give in a way that is both unique and worth noticing. The service is for the benefit of the people, and several sponsors pay for it.

Let’s Encrypt SSL nonprofit group started to make the Internet a safer and more private place for users. They want people to be able to use as simple and easy-to-understand a method as possible to install free certificates.

SSL for free:

You can get over a million different licenses for free when you use this service provider. There are also hundreds of free tutorials based on your server setup. Their website has instructions that show you how to sign up and get set up.

Unlike some of the other services on the Internet, this one. It does what its name says: it gives free answers with no strings attached.

Even a beginner can secure a connection with any modern online browser.

Using their services, you can make good on your awards for ninety days. But now, you will have to renew the license by hand. That is the only condition, and it’s also one of the reasons. Why the service doesn’t cost anything. Because the process is so easy, you won’t mind taking a few extra seconds every few months to do it. The hardest part is getting your mind used to remembering to take care of it.

Bypass

This is a new company that is competing in the certifications market. Still, it has already built a strong reputation by offering solutions that work well and last. It has the trust of the most widely used platforms.

This platform lets people who need to verify their company choose between free and paid options.

Their qualifications are good for three months instead of the usual ninety days—the best thing about working with them.

FreeSSL.tech

Users of WP can use this service to add certifications in a fully automated way. Let them set up the process only once and have it run automatically in the background afterward.

If you make this choice, the only thing you have to do is upload it. To your WordPress interface and spend a few minutes setting it up. It has many written instructions and videos showing you how to use it. If you have trouble setting it up, here’s what to do.

Conclusion

SSL, or Secure Sockets Layer, is a security protocol for browsers. SSL certificates are important for making things safer, improving SEO, building trust, and reducing non-returners. There are different types of SSL certificates like EV SSL, OV SSL, DV SSL, Wildcard SSL certificate, Multi-domain SSL certificate, Unified Communities Certificate, etc. We can get free SSL certificates from MyResellerHome, WebHostingWorld, Let’s Encrypt SSL, etc.