{"id":59121,"date":"2023-12-07T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-12-07T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crazyeggblog.wpengine.com\/?p=59121"},"modified":"2026-01-06T15:13:52","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T23:13:52","slug":"how-to-get-ssl-certificate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.crazyegg.com\/blog\/how-to-get-ssl-certificate\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Get An SSL Certificate"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Nothing screams \u201cuntrustworthy\u201d more than a website labeled by web browsers as \u201cNot Secure.\u201d Getting rid of it requires an SSL certificate (technically TLS these days), which is a badge that assures visitors your website is safe to use. The best part is you can get it for free, and we\u2019ll show the exact steps to set it up even if you\u2019re not tech-savvy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Getting an SSL Certificate is Worth It<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is the name everybody still uses, but modern certificates actually use its successor, Transport Layer Security (TLS). Either way, it\u2019s a protocol that ensures whatever information is transmitted between the visitor\u2019s browser and your website\u2019s server is converted into codes that no third party can decipher. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s say Location A (visitor\u2019s web browser) wants to send sensitive data to Location B (your website server). With an SSL certificate, Location A encrypts the data with a public key to ensure only the intended receiver can read it. Once Location B receives the data, it can decrypt it using a corresponding private key. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any data encrypted with a public key can only be decrypted by a private key and vice versa. This ensures every data transferred between the visitor\u2019s web browser and your website will always remain confidential. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By contrast, a website without an SSL certificate means attackers on the same network can easily eavesdrop on every communication. Without a security protocol blocking them, cybercriminals can steal credit card information and other sensitive personal data. If you own an ecommerce store, membership site, or any website requiring users to register or pay, an SSL certificate is a mandatory feature you can\u2019t afford not to have. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe you think you don\u2019t need one because you only have a simple website that doesn\u2019t accept payments. If you think you can get away without an SSL certificate, Google has a warning: get the certificate or scare your visitors away with a \u201cNot Secure\u201d notification to users. Modern Chrome versions even replaced the lock with a neutral \u201ctune\u201d icon for secure sites and focus more attention on warning users when a site is not<\/em> using HTTPS, so unsecured pages stand out more than ever. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Investment Needed to Get an SSL Certificate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

SSL certificates are issued by certificate authorities. For years, basic certificates commonly cost $50 to $100, and business-validated options could cost even more. Today, most website owners don\u2019t have to pay anything\u2014nearly every major host now provides free, automatically renewing SSL certificates through providers like Let\u2019s Encrypt or ZeroSSL, and you can also get 90-day certificates directly from them for $0. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paid SSL still makes sense for some organizations\u2014especially if you need organization or extended validation, higher warranty, or specialized support. Those usually start around $60 to $200 per year depending on features, brand, and number of domains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, companies like ZeroSSL and non-profits like Let\u2019s Encrypt offer SSL certificates for free. By giving away SSL certificates, they create social good and turn the internet into a safer place for everyone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, manually installing the free certificate on your own still requires basic server access. Most hosting companies are now SSL-ready, though, and you can easily add the certificate from your hosting control panel through a streamlined process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking for a web host that offers free SSL, we recommend Hostinger<\/a>. It\u2019s also our top recommendation for the best cheap web hosting<\/a>, so it\u2019s definitely a steal for anyone starting a new website. All of Hostinger’s hosting plans<\/a> come with free, automatically installed SSL to help anyone with a website idea get off on the right foot.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rather than having to get hosting and an SSL from two different providers, Hostinger makes it so much easier\u2014and it’s free with your hosting subscription. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

8 Steps to Getting an SSL Certificate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Setting up an SSL certificate may require a small investment of your time, but the reward can be enormous for your website and visitors. Here, we go through how to make your website secure in a few steps. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1 – Determine the level of security your website requires<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

SSL certificates come in many forms. Some are free, while others cost more. The higher the validation level, the more identity checks are involved\u2014not necessarily stronger encryption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You must know what you\u2019re looking for. This way, you won\u2019t end up buying a costly SSL when your website can thrive even with a free certificate. In summary, here are the four basic types of SSL certificate:<\/p>\n\n\n\n