“Purchase SSL certificates” is usually the top advice to any new website owner. And of course, why wouldn’t you want to encrypt communications to and from your site? Protecting both yourself and your users is a win-win situation!
But once you start researching, you might become a little confused, which is understandable. What’s with all those SSL types? And how come there are so many different SSL stores?! Which one should you buy from? This article will answer the latter two questions. We’ll go through what you should consider before choosing an SSL store to buy from and what you shouldn’t factor in.
Let’s get started.
1. Cost shouldn’t be a Factor
While it’s true that you get what you pay for in many areas of life, this doesn’t really apply to SSL certificates. That is because, by and large, all SSL certificates on the market today offer the same level of encryption, no matter what price you pay for it. No SSL certificate is inherently stronger than another, so quickly dismiss that thought from your mind. The only thing that can potentially improve your SSL certificate’s performance is optimizing your server settings.
The takeaway from this point is that you don’t have to worry about going for a cheaper SSL store and somehow getting a shoddy product. Your SSL will be just as good as a more expensive store’s.
2. Research the Partner Certificate Authority (CA)
One thing that will make a difference is the store’s partner CA. CAs are in charge of SSL certificate management and issuance across the internet. And if you want your SSL to work as it should, you need to get yours from a reputable one. This is because of the SSL chain of trust. All applications and browsers have a list of CAs they know to trust. If your SSL’s CA isn’t on this list, then it’s likely your site will be flagged as “not secure”, rendering your certificate completely useless. So before you buy, make sure to look into the issuing CA and their reputation of trust.
3. Read Reviews
Lastly, do the thing you should always do before buying anything online; read reviews. Because you don’t want to buy from a store that leaves you hanging when it comes to customer service, return policies, and instructional content. Find out whether people’s experiences with a store have been generally positive and align with your expectations.
Wrap Up
Since getting an SSL certificate is mandatory for all websites online, be discerning when choosing where to buy yours. Choose a store that has a reputable partner CA and that treats its customers well. If you do that, you likely won’t even have to think about your SSL until it’s time for your annual renewal.