How do I get the little padlock on my website? (SSL certificates)

If you’ve ever visited a website and noticed a little padlock icon in the address bar you’ve encountered an SSL certificate. This icon signifies that the connection between your browser and the website is secure, protecting any data you exchange. An SSL certificate is essential for building trust with your visitors and generating better rankings on Google. In this blog post, we’ll explain what SSL certificates are, why they matter and how you can get one for your website.

What is an SSL certificate?

SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer, a technology that encrypts the data transferred between a user's browser and the website’s server. An SSL certificate verifies your website's identity, ensuring that any information exchanged (such as passwords, credit card details or personal data) is safe from prying eyes.

When a website has an SSL certificate installed, its URL changes from HTTP to HTTPS, and the little padlock icon appears in the address bar. This is a visual indicator to visitors that their connection to your website is secure.

Why do you need an SSL certificate?

• Data security: SSL certificates encrypt data, preventing hackers from intercepting and reading it. This is especially important if your site handles sensitive information like online payments or personal details.
• Trust and credibility: The padlock icon and "HTTPS" in the address bar signal to visitors that your site is trustworthy. Without it, some browsers may even display a "Not Secure" warning, which can scare away potential customers.
• Better SEO: Google and other search engines prioritise websites with SSL certificates, which means having one can improve your search rankings.
• Compliance: Many data protection regulations, such as the GDPR, require websites to secure user data. An SSL certificate can help you meet these compliance requirements.

How to get an SSL certificate for your website

Now that you understand the importance of SSL, let’s walk through the steps to obtain one for your website.

1. Choose the right SSL certificate

There are different types of SSL certificates available, depending on your needs:

• Domain validated (DV): The most basic type of SSL certificate. It verifies that you own the domain but does not provide detailed validation of your organisation. This is suitable for personal websites or small businesses.
• Organisation validated (OV): Provides more validation, including the legitimacy of your organisation. This is a good option for businesses that handle sensitive data.
• Extended validation (EV): The highest level of validation, showing the green address bar and displaying your organisation’s name. This is ideal for e-commerce websites and businesses looking to build maximum trust.

2. Purchase an SSL certificate from a trusted provider

Once you’ve decided on the type of certificate, you can purchase one from a trusted Certificate Authority (CA). Some well-known providers include:

• Let’s Encrypt (free SSL certificates)
• Comodo
• DigiCert
• GoDaddy
• GlobalSign

Many web hosting companies also offer SSL certificates as part of their packages, making the setup process easier.

3. Generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR)

A CSR is a block of encoded text that you need to create on your server. It contains information that the Certificate Authority will use to generate your SSL certificate. Your web hosting provider can usually help with this step if you’re unsure how to do it.

4. Complete the validation process

Depending on the type of SSL certificate you’ve chosen, you will need to go through a validation process. For a DV certificate, this usually involves confirming ownership of the domain via email. OV and EV certificates require more extensive checks, including verifying business documents.

5. Install the SSL certificate on your server

After validation, you will receive your SSL certificate, which must be installed on your website’s server. If you’re using a hosting provider, they may offer automatic installation, or you can manually install the certificate via your hosting control panel.

6. Update your website to use HTTPS

Once the SSL certificate is installed, make sure your website is configured to use HTTPS. Update your URLs and set up redirects from HTTP to HTTPS, so visitors are automatically directed to the secure version of your site. This will also ensure that search engines index the correct URLs.

What about free SSL certificates?

If you’re on a tight budget, you can opt for a free SSL certificate from providers like Let’s Encrypt. While free certificates offer basic encryption, they may not be suitable for larger businesses that require extended validation or additional features. Free SSL certificates also need to be renewed more frequently, usually every 90 days.

Conclusion

Getting the little padlock icon on your website is not as difficult as it might seem. By following these steps, you can ensure that your website is secure, trustworthy and compliant with modern standards. Whether you choose a free or paid SSL certificate, implementing HTTPS is a crucial step in protecting your visitors and improving your online presence.

If you’re not sure where to start or need help with the setup, consider reaching out to your web hosting provider or a professional web developer to guide you through the process.

All Marketeam customers who use our website hosting have an SSL certificate installed as part of our service, so if you’re a Marketeam customer and you use our hosting, your site will already be secure!