It's nice to visit sites that provide you with a secure Internet connection. That's what an SSL certificate is - a system for protecting user data from the schemes of network intruders. To be more precise, it is a digital certificate that lets a user's browser set up an encrypted connection with the website. If your site has such a certificate, the user sees HTTPS and a padlock in the address bar. Here's how it works:
- the browser sends a request and establishes a secure connection;
- the server sends the browser a copy of the site's SSL certificate;
- the authenticity of the certificate is verified;
- the opened page is encrypted;
- secure data exchange over HTTPS begins.
Varieties of SSL certificates
SSL certificates come in both paid and free varieties, and their presence increases the level of trust users have in your site. Free certificates are usually provided by hosting providers, and they are enough to protect 80% of websites. So why buy a paid SSL certificate? This is where brand recognition comes to the fore: the more reputable the certificate authority, the higher the level of trust.
Certificates also differ in validation level, from simple ones to those with extended validation. The level determines how many documents the certificate authority requests and how quickly the certificate is issued. For any kind of site (a blog, a business site or an information portal) you can choose the right certificate. Here are the main varieties of SSL certificates:
- with domain verification (suitable for most sites, no documents required);
- with company verification (confirms the right to the domain and company);
- with extended corporate verification (the highest level of reliability);
- "green address bar" (helps increase conversions);
- for IP address (suitable for servers without domains);
- with advanced features (e.g. wildcard that works with any number of subdomains).
How to get an SSL certificate and what to choose
It remains to find out how to get an SSL certificate and what to prefer. Reliable, high-quality certificates are purchased from certificate authorities (or their official resellers). Issuance takes 5–15 minutes, but in some cases an extended set of documents is required. Hosting providers also sell certificates, and you get the simplest ones for free. Of course, reputable companies prefer paid certificates with a high level of reliability.
Since 2014, Google search robots have used an additional ranking factor - the presence of an HTTPS channel. Therefore, many companies, bloggers, news and information sites seek to get an SSL certificate. The choice will depend on the specifics of your project. A DV certificate will be enough for an ordinary blog, while a company that runs an online store is better off buying an EV certificate. You can buy SSL certificates of different types on our website. Regery has important advantages - convenient product management and low prices. It is an optimal option for websites of companies registered in Europe and CIS countries.