How Much Does An SSL Certificate Cost?
Welcome to our blog post on the burning question that every website owner has asked at some point: “How much does an SSL certificate cost?” In today’s digital age, online security is paramount.
With cyber threats becoming increasingly sophisticated, websites must establish trust and protect their users’ sensitive information. But how much should you budget for an SSL certificate? Fear not!
We’ve done the research and compiled all the essential information you need to navigate the world of SSL certificates, ensuring both your website’s security and your peace of mind. So, let’s dive in and uncover the costs behind this invaluable layer of protection for your online presence!
Table of Contents
What is an SSL Certificate?
An SSL certificate is an important part of securing your website and online transactions. It helps to ensure that data is encrypted when it’s sent between your website and the browser of a visitor.
SSL certificates are priced differently based on the type of certificate you need, the company providing the certificate, and the length of time for which you require it. The prices below are for a standard SSL certificate from GoDaddy.com. However, prices will vary depending on which provider you choose and how long your certificate will be valid.
- Standard SSL Certificate: $50/year
- Premium SSL Certificate: $100/year
- Extended SSL Certificate: $200/year
How Does an SSL Certificate Work?
- SSL ( Secure Sockets Layer) certificates are used to protect data as it travels between your computer and the websites you visit. When you use an SSL certificate, the data is encrypted before it leaves your computer and is decrypted by the website’s server. This ensures that no one can intercept or tamper with the data as it travels between you and the website.
- An SSL certificate costs money, but not as much as you might think. Prices range from around $10 per year for a basic certificate up to hundreds of dollars for a premium certificate with additional features such as security audits and validation.
- If you plan to use SSL encryption regularly, it’s worth investing in a premium certificate. However, even a basic SSL certificate will provide some protection against hijackers and hackers who try to break into your browser and steal your data.
- To enable SSL encryption on your browser, visit the website you want to visit and click on the “Security” tab. Then, scroll down to the “SSL/TLS” section and select the “enable” button next to “SSL encryption (recommended).”
- If you’re using an older version of Firefox or Chrome, you may not have the ability to enable SSL encryption. In that case, you can install a third-party extension such as HTTPS Everywhere or StartSSL which will provide the same security benefits as an SSL certificate.
Why Would I Need an SSL Certificate?
An SSL certificate is a security feature that helps protect your online transactions from unauthorized access. It’s also known as an SSL certificate authority (CA), and it’s used to create secure connections between your website and browsers.
SSL certificates can be pricey, but they’re worth the investment for businesses that need to ensure their customers’ data is protected. Prices for an SSL certificate vary depending on the provider and the type of certificate you require, but on average, a standard SSL certificate costs around $100 per year. If you need help finding an SSL certificate provider, we recommend reading our guide to the best SSL certificate providers.
Some potential reasons you might need an SSL certificate include:
- Your website is used for online transactions – If you run a business that processes any type of online payment, you’ll need an SSL certificate to protect your customers’ data.
- Your website is used for sensitive information – If your website contains Personally Identifiable Information (PII), such as customer names and addresses, you’ll need to get an SSL certificate to encrypt the data.
- You use a third-party platform to host your website – If you use a platform like WordPress or Tumblr, it’s important to secure your website with an SSL certificate so your visitors can trust that the information they’re sending over the internet is safe.
- Your website is used by a government or organization – If your website is used by a government or organization, you’ll need to get an SSL certificate to comply with government regulations.
Types of SSL Certificates
There are a few different types of SSL certificates, each with its advantages and disadvantages. The most common type is:
- The Extended Validation (EV) certificate: This certificate is from a trusted third party and has extra checks done on it to make sure it’s authentic. EV certificates are usually more expensive than other types, but they’re also more secure.
- The CAcert certification authority (CA): This certificate is from a trusted third party and gives your site the same level of security as an EV certificate, but it’s not as popular because it’s more expensive.
- The self-signed certificate: This doesn’t have any trust from a third party and isn’t as secure as either an EV or CAcert certificate, but it’s free and easy to get started with.
Each type of certificate has its advantages and disadvantages. It’s important to choose the right type of certificate for your site so that you get the best security possible.
How Much Does An SSL Certificate Cost?
- SSL certificates are a security measure that can protect your website and data from unauthorized access. They work by encrypting your traffic between your browser and the site you’re visiting, so no one can intercept or decode the information.
- There are two main types of SSL certificates: Full and Intermediate. A full SSL certificate provides the highest level of security, but they’re also the most expensive. An intermediate SSL certificate is less secure but cheaper to purchase and manage.
- To get an estimate of how much an SSL certificate will cost, you first need to determine what type of certificate you need. Full or intermediate? Then you need to figure out the size of the certificate and whether it needs to be renewed every year or every few years. And finally, factor in any fees associated with issuing and managing the certificate.
- Full SSL certificates can range in price from $50 to $200 per year, while intermediate certificates cost $25 to $100 per year. There may also be additional fees for issuing or managing the certificate, so it’s important to do your research before purchasing one.
Conclusion
SSL certificates offer a high level of security for your website, and they can be pricey. However, the cost of an SSL certificate is worth it if you want to protect your website from online attacks. If you’re not sure whether an SSL certificate is right for your business, contact a reputable certification authority to get a free consultation.