There are some things in life that you should pay more for. SSL certificates are not one of them. Whether you decide to go for a cheap SSL wildcard or single domain certificate, price does not affect the quality of an SSL certificate.
Read on to find out why.
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All SSL have the Same Strength
Don’t let the marketing fool you. Whatever an SSL tells you about their SSL having the most powerful encryption is a fib. That’s because all SSL certificates on the market have the same 256-bit encryption strength out of the box. No matter how much you pay or the type of SSL you get. Validation level does not make a difference. That’s for customer peace of mind more than anything else and, again, does not impact SSL certificate strength. One thing that can impact it is your server settings, so if you want to make your SSL is protecting as well as it can be, that’s what you should be looking into.
Now that we’ve convinced you not to pay an arm and a leg for your SSL, the next big question is where to get a cheap one.
How to Choose your Cheap SSL
Now, just because cheap SSL certificates are just as good as their more expensive counterparts, that doesn’t mean you should go for just any old cheap SSL shop. Beyond making sure a store doesn’t have rip-off prices, there are a few other factors to consider:
1. The Partner Certificate Authority (CA):
CAs are the guys in charge of managing and issuing SSL certificates across the Internet. However, not all CAs are created equal, so research an SSL store’s partner CA before deciding to hand over your cash. Make sure that they are trusted by major web browsers, otherwise you run the risk of your site being flagged as “not secure”.
2. Good Support:
Don’t choose a store that simply sells you an SSL then leaves you on your merry way to figure out how the heck you even install it. SSL certificates can be a bit tricky if you’ve never installed them before. A good SSL store should have how-to-guides and an always-available support team to guide you if ever you need it.
3. Excellent Reviews:
In this day and age, reputation matters, and people love sharing their experiences with companies online. A quick Google search will likely show you what you need to know about the SSL store in question. Be sure to check official review sites like Trustpilot too.
By following these simple tips, you should be able to find a quality cheap SSL shop and save money on securing your site.