What is an SSL certificate?
Hostwoody
Last Update 2 years ago
An SSL certificate is displayed for websites in the form of a padlock icon in the address bar and a URL that starts with https://. Behind the scenes, this means that the website has been verified and any information passed between the server and a visitor’s web browser is securely encrypted. An SSL connection is vital for any website that requests or stores personal information such as contact details or payment information.
SSL is the globally recognised standard for secure data encryption between server and browser. All our SSL certificates are provided and verified by leading security experts GeoTrust.
A must-have for any serious website owner
An SSL certificate not only signals trust and authority to your website visitors, it also helps protect them when browsing your website. It prevents data interception and shows your business has been validated, ensuring complete peace of mind for your visitors.
Search engines such as Google have openly stated that they view an SSL certificate as a mark of trust and that having one can directly improve your search engine rankings.
Furthermore, research has shown that a valid SSL certificate reduces abandoned baskets, increases sales, and makes people more confident about shopping with you. It’s a must-have when you’re selling online.
Compliment your SSL certificate with fast, secure hosting
To purchase and use an SSL certificate, your website also needs to be hosted with us. Our powerful, bespoke hosting platform has been designed for you by experts with over twenty years’ industry experience. We provide you with unbeatable load-balanced cloud hosting, meaning there’s no single point of failure and your website performance will never be affected by other users’ websites, visitors or activity. All servers have SSD storage as standard.
Find out more on our Pricing page here
Frequently asked questions
How do I activate my SSL certificate?
After purchasing it, you’ll get an email to the administrator email address for your domain to confirm your certificate. Simply click the link to confirm your registration.
Should I get a Standard SSL or an Extended SSL?
If you’re serious about your business, especially if you run an ecommerce store, an Extended SSL is the way to go. If payments aren’t a central part of your business but you still request or private details, such as login information, a Simple SSL with its accompanying padlock is fine.
Do I need web hosting to buy an SSL?
Contrary to popular belief, an SSL certificate is attached to your hosting package rather than your domain name. For this reason, you’ll need to host your website with us even if your domain name is registered elsewhere. You can take a look at our powerful yet affordable hosting packages on our Web Hosting page.
How do I get help setting up my SSL certificate?
Setting up your SSL is a quick and straightforward process, but if you have any questions or aren’t sure what to do next, please get in touch via your control panel and we’ll help you out.
Protect your visitors and sell more from your website - active your free SSL or purchase your extended SSL certificate today!