Hi there,
I came across a service called "SSL for Free" that offers a free SSL certificate. I'm curious to know how it compares to a paid SSL certificate. My goal is to improve my search engine rankings through the use of SSL, so I'd like to understand how the free certificate may or may not impact this.
Recently, I came across free SSL certificates and while researching, I read that the only truly free service is "Let's Encrypt", and all other options from "SSL for Free" are just middlemen. It's unclear what their incentive is. I looked into purchasing a paid SSL through my personal hosting account, but discovered that I could also install "Let's Encrypt" for free.
I haven't installed it yet, but I am considering it. The validity of the certificate is for 3 months, but my hosting auto-renews it (as per the website). Although "Let's Encrypt" is not supported by Chrome or some other browsers on WinXP, I don't think this is a major issue.
If you are not confused by the limited validity period of such a certificate and the need for constant renewal (it seems after 3 months), then you can try. But in general, such certificates are mainly used by novice "Internet entrepreneurs". Also, if suddenly the update did not happen, you will not even know about it without manually checking, and the site will issue a warning "scaring" customers at this time. :-\
Quote from: kumarajite on Jul 06, 2022, 10:46 AMI put an SSL certificate in order to increase positions in the SEs, how will the free one affect / not affect this?
Paid, or free certificate - it does not matter to search engines. But the absence of any SSL-certificate from the site - it has. Google, for example, will simply ignore such sites in search results. Or put them in the last positions, and show users that actions with such a site are unsafe. Users will be scared, and your site will not be visited.
Settle for a free Let's Encrypt if you do not have an online store with a turnover of the Ali level, or a large financial corporation.
Certificate levels indicate the level of financial risk insurance when conducting transactions through sites protected by SSL encryption.
What is the difference between a free SSL certificate and a paid certificate?
1 Savings
2 their expiration date
Free certificates are relatively short-lived and require constant reissue. For example, the popular Let's Encrypt certificate needs to be reissued every three months.
3 levels of guarantee. The certification authority that issued the free certificate is not responsible for the integrity of the resource on which it is installed. On the other hand, paid digital signatures (OV) allow you to verify the owner of a site. The presence of such guarantees creates high confidence in the site among users and search engines.
4 Have financial guarantees - paid certificates. In case of leakage of user data from a resource on which a paid SSL certificate is installed, the affected party will receive compensation from the certification authority. The amount of the financial guarantee depends on the particular type of certificate.
5. Accessibility Free certificates have a big advantage - accessibility. They are often used for low-budget projects by people who cannot afford paid ones.
SSL certificates come in different types, with the more expensive ones offering greater compensation if someone hacks into the connection. Additionally, the company's name is displayed in the browser when a certificate is clicked on.
There are three types of certificates: DV for domain confirmation, OV for domain and company confirmation, and EV for extended domain and company confirmation.
Let's Encrypt is a non-profit organization that provides free certificates, which can be obtained through virtual web hosting or by using CloudFlare. Some companies also offer certificates as promotions when purchasing domains or web hosting. For example, Namecheap gave me a certificate for a year when I renewed my domain, but it should be noted that they may close accounts for political reasons if you purchase domains from outside the country.
Free SSL is more economical, but there are some nuances here too. Firstly, such certificates have a very short validity period, and it must be constantly reissued. Secondly, free SSL is more difficult to install. And thirdly, safety. Paid certificates usually provide a guarantee, unlike free ones.
A paid certificate usually has a guarantee, may have dоcumentation in other languages and a turnkey installation from the certificate provider. You will have to tinker with installing the free one, it will need to be renewed more often, and there is a chance that your site may be copied. An SSL certificate is important not only for promotion, but also for the security of website data, especially if customer data is stored on it or payments are made.
If there is no certificate, browsers warn that the site is unstable and attackers can intercept the data that users leave on the site, for example, an email address or a bank card number.
At best, it may look like a crossed-out lock in the address entry line, at worst, the site page will not load at all.
Therefore, if it is not possible to purchase a paid one, be sure to put a free one.
Not all hosters automatically renew a free certificate, although almost all have this function declared, but if you have one or two sites, it is not difficult to track them yourself and renew the certificate in three months. Of course, for greater confidence, paid certificates are more reliable and stable.
The SSL certificate has a positive effect on the ranking of the site by search engines, but there is no difference whether it is paid or not, the main thing is that it is.
Hi,
I agree with the previous posts about the free SSL-certificate. But there is another side to this issue.
- How automated is the introduction of a new certificate to your site by the provider. If this is a laborious activity, then every 90 days you will have the pangs of creativity.
- Attackers may like your site and they will create a mirror with a new free 90-day certificate. This will be bad news for you.
You decide. It all depends on the value of your project.
Free SSL certificates, such as those offered by "SSL for Free," can provide encryption for your website just like paid certificates. They are a good option for small websites or personal projects, as they help establish a secure connection between your visitors and your site.
In terms of search engine rankings, Google has confirmed that having an SSL certificate is a ranking factor. However, it's important to note that the impact of SSL on rankings is relatively small compared to other factors like high-quality content and relevant backlinks.
When it comes to comparing free and paid SSL certificates, there are a few differences to consider. Firstly, paid certificates often come with additional features and support, which might be necessary for larger websites or e-commerce platforms. Paid certificates also typically offer a higher level of trust and assurance to your visitors since they are issued by well-known Certificate Authorities (CAs) that are universally recognized by web browsers.
On the other hand, free certificates, although they may not have the same level of recognition, still provide the necessary encryption for securing your website. They are also generally easy to install and manage.
Paid SSL certificates typically offer additional features such as extended validation (EV) certificates, which display a green address bar in browsers to signify greater trustworthiness. They also often come with warranties that cover financial loss in case of a security breach.
Paid certificates often have better customer support and faster issuance times compared to free certificates. With paid options, you usually have access to technical support from the Certificate Authority in case you run into any issues during the certificate installation or renewal process.
Additionally, paid certificates come from trusted and well-established Certificate Authorities, which means they have undergone rigorous verification processes. This can help build credibility and trust with your website visitors.
Free SSL certificates, on the other hand, may have limitations in terms of certificate lifespan, as they generally expire every 90 days. This means you need to renew them more frequently compared to paid certificates, which usually have longer validity periods.
It's also worth noting that some services offering free SSL certificates require manual renewal and installation, whereas paid options often offer automated processes that make it easier to manage the certificates.
points to consider:
1. Validation Levels: Paid SSL certificates often offer different validation levels, such as domain validation (DV), organization validation (OV), and extended validation (EV). EV certificates provide the highest level of trust and require more extensive verification of your organization's identity. This can be beneficial for businesses looking to establish credibility and enhance user trust.
2. Wildcard and Multi-Domain Support: Paid certificates often provide options for wildcard certificates, which can secure unlimited subdomains under a single domain. They may also support multiple domains within a single certificate, allowing you to secure multiple websites or domains with a single certificate. This can be particularly useful for organizations with complex web architectures.
3. Trust Seals: Some paid SSL certificates come with trust seals or site seals that you can display on your website, indicating that it is secure. These seals can help build trust and confidence among your visitors.
4. Warranty and Liability: Paid certificates typically come with warranties that cover financial loss caused by a certificate failure or breach. The warranty amount varies depending on the type of certificate, with higher warranties provided for EV certificates.
5. Compatibility: Paid certificates are more likely to be trusted by a larger number of devices and browsers out of the box. Free certificates may require additional configuration or may not be universally recognized, potentially causing compatibility issues for some users.
Ultimately, the decision between a free or paid SSL certificate depends on your specific needs, budget, and the level of trust and features you require. Assessing your website's scale, purpose, and security requirements will help guide you towards the most appropriate choice.
While a free SSL certificate can provide a basic level of encryption and a green lock icon in the browser, a paid SSL certificate offers more advanced features, such as extended validation, domain validation, and a higher level of trust. Additionally, paid SSL certificates are issued by reputable Certificate Authorities (CAs), which provides an added layer of security and trust.
In terms of search engine rankings, both free and paid SSL certificates can improve your site's credibility and trustworthiness, but a paid SSL certificate may give you a slight edge due to its reputation and validation.
Are you interested in receiving a free SSL certificate for your website? Secure your website with Let's Encrypt, a trusted, open-source SSL provider! Several hosting services, including Cloudflare, ZeroSSL, and SSL For Free, also provide free SSL certificates. Gain visitor trust, improve SEO rankings, and boost security-all for free! Protect your website from cyber threats by obtaining HTTPS protection today.