Reputed web hosting companies are bundling a free SSL certificate in the package for the new customers.
You can name any major company such as NameCheap, YouStable, BlueHost, InterServer, and others are offering a free SSL certificate in the shared web hosting.
Pay attention to other packages as well, and you can find a paid SSL certificate as well, then why would a company avail a free version in a package?
I am going to bust the myths and explain the differences between Free SSL vs Paid SSL certificate.
By the end of the article, the readers will be able to make a final decision to add a Free SSL vs Paid SSL certificate available in the package.
What is an SSL Certificate?
I can name a lot of beginners reading this article right now, and interestingly, they have ZERO knowledge in SSL certificate and its importance.
The communication between the website server and browser renders a website on your screen.
Let us assume that you are shopping online, and the site does not have an SSL certificate.
Assuming that the customer is using Credit Card details to make a purchase, and then he/she has to input Full name, Credit Card number, Expiry date, and CVV.
The browser transfers the Credit Card details to the website server. In the meantime, there is third-party eavesdropping in the conversation,
and the privacy invader will steal the Credit Card number. Even a small-time hacker can steal information using basic hacking tools.
In such cases, we need an SSL Certificate, which is a simple solution, but it is an effective security layer.
SSL Security full form is the Secure Sockets Layer, which is advanced encryption. The website server & browser conversation will be encrypted by the SSL certificate, which is not possible to decrypt.
The industry standard security layer creates advanced encryption that keeps customers/visitors/data away from Hackers, Privacy invaders, and Trackers as well.
Difference between free SSL vs Paid SSL
1. Free SSL Certificate
Explaining the differences between a free version and a paid version can be achieved through the PROS & CONS.
Let’s Encrypt is the worlds biggest free SSL certificate provider.
Talking about the advantages & disadvantages might not conclude the solution. I am going, beginning with, the PROS, and then we will move to the CONS.
PROS:
The above four reasons are enough to conclude that the Free SSL Certificate is worth something.
Do not conclude because you have to read the CONS as well. I am going to reveal something that no web hosting company tells the customers.
CONS:
Overall speaking, there is no quality control or customer support exists for the free version.
No company can invest a lot of capital in customer support service for a free SSL certificate.
2. Paid SSL Certificate
New customers can exceed expectations from the premium product.
I want to clarify that a premium SSL certificate comes in different pricing because the cost increases the number of domains protection.
There are valuable packages for multi-domain, sub-domains, and others, so make sure to double-check before making the purchase.
Keep in mind that one SSL certificate does not protect multiple domains installed in one web hosting, and it does not support sub-domain as well.
Kindly, take a quick look at other Paid SSL certificate packages, which comes a little bit expensive.
PROS:
CONS:
The single domain owner may not have to suffer from buying a premium certificate, but the multi-domain packages will rip customers off. The packages are on the expensive side, and it isn’t an easier option for a common person to afford it.
Conclusion
Professional hackers & privacy invaders do not attack a basic website, business website, and small blogs because visitors do not input Credit Card & Debit Card information.
Premium SSL Certificate is a necessity for an e-commerce site and websites with payment option.
A free SSL certificate is not something you can get easily from any hosting company because they come at a price for major companies.
Free SSL Certificate is offered free of cost by many companies to increase their sales and customer base, which is actually a good deal for many freebies.
Getting a free trusted SSL certificate has become a major upgrade for web publishers because Google has set a deadline for it, which will be effective after July of 2018.
Importance of free SSL certificate
Let’s take out the word “Free” out of SSL certificates and give a benefit of the doubt.
Not many people know the importance of an SSL certificate because they exist for a purpose and they become mandatory in 2018.
We all are aware of the fact that hacking, phishing, and online fraud have become a major problem globally.
CNN, The Guardian, and Forbes have reported that more than €190 billion euros in online frauds are taking place every single year. The majority of it is from credit cards and debit cards.
Google plays a major role in solving that problem because they are currently ranking many sites that are part of these frauds.
An SSL certificate is signed by an authorized company that has website owner details, contact info, and other details which enables Google to identify the website owner. While all of the owners of the fraudulent site are anonymous.
An SSL certificate eliminates anonymity and eliminates the risk of fraud.
How to check the SSL certificate on the website
Chrome & Mozilla is the leading web browser around the world and they ensured to add a tool that tells them about secured sites and unsecured sites.
You can check SSL certificate with inbuilt web browser tools.
On Mozilla, secured site.
On Mozilla, unsecured site.
The same theory applies to Chrome and other major browsers as well. Sometimes SSL errors can happen as well,
So, refreshing to recheck SSL certificate status.
Free SSL Vs Paid SSL
The gap between Free and Paid is something anyone can guess. There are certain limitations that come with it, which we will tell you about it.
Domain Validation – For those who have not dug deep into the free SSL certificates topic need to know about it.
Free SSL certificates come with domain validation, not personal information, which Google is asking for it. If you are running a blog or a small business site, then it will suffice.
eCommerce – If you are running an eCommerce site, then free SSL certificates are not for you.
The more personal information you ask your customers, the need for premium SSL certificates increases.
Blogs, Web publishers (informational-based sites), and small business sites can live with free SSL certificates, but sites like Shopping,
online stores, and purchases via credit card and debit card have no room for free SSL certificates.
Free SSL Certificate with Free Hosting
You can also get cheap SSL certificates cost is low, but there are companies that provide Free website Hosting with free SSL certificates
because it helps them increase brand visibility, and customer base, and strengthen the brand.
Popular & Affordable companies like NameCheap and GoogieHost offer free SSL certificates.
Yes! it’s really…
If you are someone who does not invest in hosting and SSL, then you can move to Free Hosting with SSL, which is ideal for beginners.
GoogieHost comes with free hosting and a free SSL certificate,
while NameCheap requires you to buy paid hosting to use an SSL certificate that has an expiry date.
Conclusion
First, know your needs, if you want Free or Premium hosting with an SSL certificate with no expiry date, then GoogieHost has it.
NameCheap Company is also good, but you have to buy premium hosting and an SSL certificate will be free for only the first year.
Let, us know your thoughts.
