How to Purchase SSL Certificates: A Simple Guide

You have built a great website. The design is modern, the content is compelling, and it is ready to attract visitors. However, there is one small but critical detail that can undo all your hard work: the “Not Secure” warning in the browser’s address bar. This warning tells visitors that your site isn’t safe, causing them to leave before they even see what you offer.

The solution is to purchase SSL certificates. An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate encrypts the connection between your website and its visitors, protecting their data and building essential trust. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about why you need one, how to choose the right type, and the exact steps to purchase and install it.

Why You Need to Purchase SSL Certificates

Securing your website with SSL is no longer optional. For any modern website, it is a fundamental requirement. Here’s why making this purchase is so important.

Protect Sensitive User Data

The primary purpose SSL certificate is to encrypt data. When a user fills out a contact form, enters their password, or provides credit card details, that information travels from their browser to your server. Without SSL, this data is sent as plain text, making it easy for hackers to intercept. An SSL certificate scrambles this data, making it unreadable to anyone but the intended recipient.

Build Visitor Trust

The padlock icon and https prefix are universal symbols of security. When visitors see them, they feel confident that their connection is private and their information is safe. This trust is critical for reducing bounce rates and increasing conversions. If you collect any user data at all, you must purchase SSL certificates to show that you value their privacy.

Improve Your SEO Rankings

Google wants to send its users to safe and reliable websites. That is why HTTPS has been a confirmed ranking signal for years. If your website is not secure, you are at a disadvantage against competitors who have SSL. Investing in a certificate is a direct investment in your search engine visibility.

Understanding the Different Types of SSL Certificates

When you decide to purchase SSL certificates, you will find several options. The right one depends on your website’s needs and your budget.

Domain Validation (DV)

This is the most basic and affordable type of SSL. The Certificate Authority (CA) only verifies that you own the domain name.

• Best for: Blogs, personal portfolios, and informational sites that don’t handle sensitive transactions.
• Issuance Time: Usually within minutes.

Organization Validation (OV)

This certificate offers a higher level of trust. The CA verifies both your domain ownership and the legal existence of your organization.

• Best for: Small to medium-sized businesses and corporate websites.
• Issuance Time: Typically 1-3 business days.

Extended Validation (EV)

This is the gold standard for trust. The CA conducts a thorough background check on your organization’s legal, physical, and operational status.

• Best for: E-commerce giants, banks, and enterprises where maximum trust is critical.
• Issuance Time: Can take up to a week.

Special Certificate Types

Beyond validation levels, you might need broader coverage:

• Wildcard SSL: Secures one domain and an unlimited number of its subdomains (e.g., blog.yoursite.com, shop.yoursite.com).
• Multi-Domain SSL (SAN): Secures multiple different domain names on a single certificate.

How to Purchase and Install Your SSL Certificate

Ready to secure your site? The process to purchase SSL certificates and get them running is straightforward.

Step 1: Generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR)

Before you can purchase anything, you need a CSR. This is an encrypted block of text generated on your web server. It contains your domain name and public key. You can usually generate this from your hosting control panel (like cPanel or Plesk) in the “SSL/TLS Manager” section.

Step 2: Choose Your Provider and Certificate

Select a reputable certificate provider. You can buy directly from a CA like Sectigo or DigiCert, but you can often find better prices through official resellers. Choose the certificate type (DV, OV, Wildcard, etc.) that best fits your needs and complete the purchase. During checkout, you will be asked to paste the CSR you generated in the previous step.

Step 3: Complete the Validation Process

After your purchase, the CA must verify your identity.

• For DV: You will likely receive an email to an admin address on your domain or be asked to add a specific DNS record.
• For OV/EV: You will need to submit business documents and may receive a verification phone call.

Step 4: Install the Certificate

Once validated, the CA will email you the certificate files (usually a .crt file and a CA Bundle). Return to your hosting control panel’s SSL/TLS section, upload these files, and click “Install.”

Step 5: Force All Traffic to HTTPS

The final step is to ensure all visitors use the secure connection. Your site might still be accessible via insecure http://. You can easily fix this by installing a plugin like “Really Simple SSL” on WordPress or by adding a redirect rule to your site’s .htaccess file.

Conclusion: An Essential Investment in Your Website

The decision to purchase SSL certificates is one of the most impactful and cost-effective improvements you can make to your website. It protects your visitors, enhances their trust in your brand, and provides a valuable boost to your SEO efforts. Don’t let the “Not Secure” warning undermine your credibility. By following the steps outlined above, you can easily secure your digital assets and create a safer experience for everyone who visits your site.