Why Every Website Needs SSL in 2025
SEO Rankings
Google gives ranking boost to HTTPS sites
Data Security
Encrypts all data between browser and server
Customer Trust
Shows padlock and builds confidence
Browser Warnings
Avoid "Not Secure" warnings in Chrome/Firefox
Did you know?
Since 2018, Google Chrome shows "Not Secure" warnings on all HTTP sites. This can reduce your traffic by up to 30% as visitors leave immediately.
SSL Certificate Types Explained
Free - £19.99
Validation Time
10 minutes
Trust Level
Basic
Best For
Personal sites, blogs
Features
- Green padlock
- Basic encryption
- Quick issue
£69.99+
Validation Time
1-3 days
Trust Level
Medium
Best For
Business websites
Features
- Company verified
- Higher trust
- Business details shown
£199.99+
Validation Time
1-5 days
Trust Level
Highest
Best For
E-commerce, Banking
Features
- Green bar
- Company name shown
- Maximum trust
£89.99+
Validation Time
10 minutes
Trust Level
Basic-Medium
Best For
Multiple subdomains
Features
- Covers *.domain.com
- Unlimited subdomains
- One certificate
Free SSL Certificate Options
| Provider | Renewal | Auto-Renewal | Wildcard | Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Let's Encrypt | Every 90 days | Community | ||
| Cloudflare | Automatic | Included | ||
| SSL For Free | Every 90 days | Manual | Basic | |
| ZeroSSL | Every 90 days | Limited |
Recommendation
For most websites, Let's Encrypt with auto-renewal is the best free option. It's trusted by major browsers and can be automated with cPanel or Plesk. For business sites needing support, consider our managed SSL service at £19.99/year.
SSL Installation Process
Choose SSL Type
Select free DV or paid OV/EV based on needs
Generate CSR
Create Certificate Signing Request on your server
Validate Domain
Prove ownership via DNS, email, or file upload
Download Certificate
Get your SSL certificate files
Install on Server
Upload and configure on your web server
Test & Verify
Check HTTPS works and fix any issues
- Dedicated IP address (some hosts)
- Root or admin access
- Port 443 open for HTTPS
- Apache/Nginx configuration access
- Domain name (registered)
- Email access for validation
- FTP/SSH access to server
- 30 minutes of time
Detailed Installation Guide
Step 1: Generate CSR
A Certificate Signing Request (CSR) contains your public key and domain information:
openssl req -new -newkey rsa:2048 -nodes \ -keyout yourdomain.key \ -out yourdomain.csr
Fill in: Country, State, City, Organization, Domain Name, Email
Step 2: Domain Validation
Choose one of three validation methods:
DNS Validation
Add TXT record to DNS
Email Validation
Confirm via admin@ email
File Validation
Upload file to website
Step 3: Install Certificate
Upload certificate files to your server:
- Certificate file (.crt)
- Private key (.key)
- Intermediate certificate (CA bundle)
SSLEngine on SSLCertificateFile /path/cert.crt SSLCertificateKeyFile /path/key.key SSLCertificateChainFile /path/ca.crt
ssl_certificate /path/cert.crt; ssl_certificate_key /path/key.key; ssl_trusted_certificate /path/ca.crt;
Step 4: Force HTTPS Redirect
Redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS for security:
.htaccess (Apache)
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}/$1 [R=301,L]Common SSL Issues & Solutions
Your site loads over HTTPS but includes HTTP resources (images, scripts, CSS).
Solution:
- Update all URLs to use HTTPS
- Use protocol-relative URLs (//example.com)
- Check WordPress settings if using CMS
Certificate is for www.domain.com but you're accessing domain.com.
Solution:
- Get certificate that covers both www and non-www
- Use wildcard certificate (*.domain.com)
- Redirect all traffic to primary domain
SSL certificates expire and need renewal (free certs every 90 days).
Solution:
- Set up auto-renewal with cron job
- Use managed SSL service
- Set calendar reminders for manual renewal
SSL Testing & Verification
SSL Labs Test
Industry standard SSL test. Grades your configuration A+ to F.
ssllabs.com/ssltestWhy No Padlock
Identifies mixed content preventing the green padlock.
whynopadlock.comCertificate Decoder
View certificate details and expiration dates.
sslshopper.com/certificate-decoderSigns of Proper SSL
- Green padlock in browser
- URL starts with https://
- No browser warnings
- Certificate details show correctly
SSL Problems to Fix
- "Not Secure" warning
- Red padlock or warning
- Certificate errors
- Mixed content issues
SSL Certificate FAQs
Is a free SSL certificate good enough?
Yes, for most websites. Free certificates from Let's Encrypt provide the same 256-bit encryption as paid certificates. The main differences are validation level (no business verification), support, and warranty. For personal sites and small businesses, free SSL is perfectly adequate.
Do I need SSL if I don't sell online?
Absolutely! Even if you don't process payments, SSL is essential for: protecting login forms, contact forms, SEO rankings (Google prefers HTTPS), avoiding browser warnings, and building visitor trust. Every website should have SSL in 2025.
Can I install SSL myself?
Yes, if you have server access. Many hosting providers offer one-click SSL installation through cPanel or Plesk. For manual installation, you'll need SSH access and basic server knowledge. If unsure, our support team can help or use our managed SSL service.
What's the difference between shared and dedicated SSL?
Modern hosting uses SNI (Server Name Indication) technology, eliminating the need for dedicated IPs. Your SSL certificate is still unique to your domain. The terms "shared" and "dedicated" SSL are mostly outdated - focus on the validation type (DV, OV, EV) instead.
How often do I need to renew SSL?
Free certificates (Let's Encrypt) expire every 90 days but can auto-renew. Paid certificates typically last 1-2 years. We recommend annual certificates with auto-renewal to avoid expiration issues. Set up monitoring to alert you before expiry.