Where do you even begin when choosing an SSL certificate? With so much to consider, it can be understandably intimidating. But fear not, we’re here to help. From SSL certificate cost to the Certificate Authority (CA) you choose, here are 4 things you should consider before committing to an SSL.
- Your website type
While SSL certificates are not as complicated as they may first appear, you really can’t just choose any random SSL and call it a day. You need to choose the right one for your site. You select an SSL based on the number of domains and subdomains you have, as well as the level of validation you require.
For the number of sites, there are single domain certs, multi-domain SSLs, and Wildcard SSLs. The first two are self-explanatory, while Wildcards are less so. Basically, a Wildcard secures a single domain and unlimited subdomains linked to it.
Validation is how extensively the CA will verify you or your company before issuing your requested SSL. The general rule of thumb is the more you ask users to do on your site, the higher the validation level should be. Here are the three validation levels in order of extensiveness: domain validation (DV), organization validation (OV), and extended validation (EV).
- Your budget
Sometimes you get what you pay for, but not so much with SSL. All modern SSLs for sale today offer the same level of encryption as the rest (look into it if you don’t believe me), so you really shouldn’t break the bank paying for one. Don’t believe the hype of a store selling their SSLs for more than the rest. Their product isn’t inherently better.
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- The store
That being said, don’t get your SSL from just anywhere. Make sure the store is reputable and provides good customer service. Check their reputation by reading reviews. You might need a lot of support when you first get your SSL, so make sure there are plenty of how-to guides available, and that customer service will get back to you promptly if you need any guidance along the way.
- The issuing CA
CAs are the difference between your SSL working and not working. That’s no exaggeration. If you buy your SSL from a shady CA, web browsers will not like it. They’ll flag your site as “not secure” to people trying to get your site, losing you precious visitors. Avoid this by ensuring the issuing CA is considered trustworthy.