Quote from: Newport on Aug 04, 2022, 07:10 AMHey there! I have a question for my friends. As Comodo has prohibited the Russian Federation from renewing its certificates, I am gradually moving customer sites in the ru segment to Lets Encrypt with auto-renewal. This seems to be working well. However, my hosting service recently offered the option to purchase paid certificates from GlobalSign AlphaSSL for a year.

After ordering a certificate for testing on one site, it took a month for verification to come through. While the certificate ultimately connected successfully, I wonder if it's worth connecting a paid certificate. Considering that free SSL may be enough for ordinary commercial sites without financial transactions, etc., are there any issues with auto-renewal every 3 months, impact on SEO, or other pitfalls to consider?

Let's Encrypt, a trusted certificate authority, offers free and widely recognized SSL/TLS certificates. These provide the same level of encryption and security as paid certificates.

While paid certificates for regular commercial websites aren't mandatory, there are compelling reasons to consider them. Firstly, they enhance credibility by displaying the padlock symbol and "https" in the browser address bar, reassuring visitors about data security. Secondly, paid certificates often come with higher levels of encryption and liability protection, crucial for handling sensitive customer information. Moreover, they can positively impact search engine rankings, as search engines prioritize secure websites. Ultimately, investing in a paid certificate demonstrates a commitment to customer trust and can differentiate your website in a competitive landscape.

Let's Encrypt does the job just fine for commercial sites. The verification delays with GlobalSign are a clear red flag; waiting a month is unacceptable in today's fast-paced web environment. Plus, auto-renewing every three months isn't a hassle - it's a necessity in keeping your site secure.

SEO-wise, search engines like Google don't differentiate between free and paid SSL, so investing in a pricey certificate seems like throwing money down the drain.

Paid SSL certificates offer enhanced encryption, trust signals, and dedicated support, boosting website credibility and user confidence. They are especially beneficial for e-commerce and enterprise sites handling sensitive data. While free options like Let's Encrypt are suitable for basic needs, paid certificates provide additional features and professional support.

The use of paid certificates ensures a higher level of security, customer trust, and data protection for regular commercial websites. As opposed to free certificates, they provide verified authentication, boost credibility, and improve search engine rankings.