· Hostdeal Team · Guides  · 7 min read

SSL Certificates Guide - Everything You Need to Know

Learn what SSL certificates are, why they're essential for your website, and how to get one for free. Complete guide to website security.

Learn what SSL certificates are, why they're essential for your website, and how to get one for free. Complete guide to website security.

If you’ve ever noticed the padlock icon in your browser’s address bar, you’ve seen SSL in action. But what exactly is SSL, and why does your website need it? This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about SSL certificates.

What is an SSL Certificate?

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a security protocol that creates an encrypted connection between a web server and a visitor’s browser. When a website has an SSL certificate, the URL begins with https:// instead of http://, and browsers display a padlock icon.

How SSL Works

  1. Visitor connects to your HTTPS website
  2. Server sends its SSL certificate to the browser
  3. Browser verifies the certificate is valid
  4. Encryption begins - all data is now encrypted
  5. Secure communication continues throughout the session

This encryption ensures that any data exchanged – passwords, credit card numbers, personal information – can’t be intercepted by third parties.

SSL vs TLS: What’s the Difference?

You might hear both “SSL” and “TLS” mentioned. Here’s the deal:

  • SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) was the original protocol
  • TLS (Transport Layer Security) is the newer, more secure version
  • When people say “SSL,” they usually mean TLS
  • All modern “SSL certificates” actually use TLS

The term “SSL” has stuck around because it’s familiar, but TLS 1.2 and TLS 1.3 are what’s actually protecting your connection today.

Why Your Website Needs SSL

1. Security

The primary purpose of SSL is protecting data. Without encryption:

  • Passwords can be stolen
  • Credit card numbers can be intercepted
  • Personal information can be captured
  • Session cookies can be hijacked

With SSL, all this data is encrypted and unreadable to attackers.

2. SEO Rankings

Google has confirmed that HTTPS is a ranking factor. Websites with SSL certificates have an advantage in search results. In 2025, not having SSL can actively hurt your rankings.

3. Browser Trust

Modern browsers actively warn users about non-HTTPS sites:

  • Chrome: Displays “Not Secure” in the address bar
  • Firefox: Shows a broken padlock icon
  • Safari: Warns users before submitting forms

These warnings scare away visitors. SSL eliminates them.

4. Customer Trust

The padlock icon signals legitimacy. Studies show:

  • 84% of users would abandon a purchase if data was sent over an insecure connection
  • 77% worry about their data being intercepted online
  • Visible security indicators increase conversion rates

5. Compliance Requirements

Many regulations require encrypted connections:

  • PCI DSS - Required for handling credit card data
  • GDPR - Expects appropriate security measures
  • HIPAA - Required for healthcare data

6. Browser Features

Some modern web features only work over HTTPS:

  • Geolocation API
  • Service Workers (for PWAs)
  • Push Notifications
  • HTTP/2 protocol (faster loading)

Types of SSL Certificates

Domain Validated (DV) Certificates

Validation level: Lowest Verification: Proves you control the domain Time to issue: Minutes Cost: Free - $50/year Best for: Blogs, small websites, personal sites

DV certificates verify that you control the domain name. The Certificate Authority (CA) confirms this through email verification or DNS records. They’re quick to obtain and sufficient for most websites.

Organization Validated (OV) Certificates

Validation level: Medium Verification: Confirms organization identity Time to issue: 1-3 days Cost: $50-200/year Best for: Businesses, organizations

OV certificates require verifying that your organization exists and controls the domain. The CA checks business registration and contact information. Visitors can see organization details in the certificate.

Extended Validation (EV) Certificates

Validation level: Highest Verification: Extensive organization verification Time to issue: 1-2 weeks Cost: $150-500+/year Best for: Banks, e-commerce, enterprises

EV certificates require the most thorough verification process. The CA verifies legal, physical, and operational existence of the organization. Some browsers display the organization name in the address bar.

Wildcard Certificates

Coverage: One domain + all subdomains Example: *.example.com covers www.example.com, shop.example.com, blog.example.com Cost: More than single-domain certificates

Wildcard certificates are convenient if you have multiple subdomains. Instead of individual certificates for each subdomain, one wildcard covers them all.

Multi-Domain (SAN) Certificates

Coverage: Multiple different domains Example: example.com, example.org, myotherbusiness.com Use case: Managing multiple websites

Subject Alternative Name (SAN) certificates can secure multiple different domain names with a single certificate.

Free vs Paid SSL Certificates

Free SSL Certificates

Sources:

  • Let’s Encrypt
  • Cloudflare
  • Hostdeal (included with hosting)

Pros:

  • No cost
  • Same encryption strength as paid
  • Automatic renewal available
  • Perfect for most websites

Cons:

  • DV validation only
  • No warranty
  • Less support
  • Shorter validity (90 days for Let’s Encrypt)

Pros:

  • OV and EV options available
  • Warranties (up to $1.75M)
  • Dedicated support
  • Longer validity periods
  • Trust seals

Cons:

  • Annual cost
  • Manual renewal
  • Often unnecessary for small sites

Which Should You Choose?

For most websites, free DV certificates are sufficient. The encryption is identical to paid certificates. Choose paid certificates if you:

  • Need OV or EV validation for business credibility
  • Want warranty protection
  • Require dedicated certificate support
  • Run a large e-commerce operation

Getting an SSL Certificate

Option 1: Through Your Host (Easiest)

The simplest approach is using your hosting provider’s built-in SSL. At Hostdeal, free SSL certificates are included with every plan:

  1. Log into DirectAdmin
  2. Navigate to SSL Certificates
  3. Enable Auto SSL
  4. Done! Your site is now secured

No extra cost, no manual renewal – we handle everything.

Option 2: Let’s Encrypt

Let’s Encrypt provides free DV certificates. Many hosts integrate it automatically. If you need to install manually:

  1. Install Certbot on your server
  2. Run: certbot --apache or certbot --nginx
  3. Follow the prompts
  4. Set up automatic renewal

Option 3: Purchase from a CA

For OV/EV certificates, purchase from Certificate Authorities:

  • DigiCert
  • Comodo/Sectigo
  • GlobalSign
  • GeoTrust

Steps:

  1. Generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR)
  2. Purchase the certificate
  3. Complete validation
  4. Install on your server
  5. Configure your web server
  6. Test the installation

Installing SSL Certificates

Using DirectAdmin (Hostdeal)

  1. Log into DirectAdmin
  2. Go to Account Manager > SSL Certificates
  3. Choose Let’s Encrypt Auto SSL
  4. Select your domains
  5. Click Save

The certificate is automatically installed and renewed.

Using cPanel

  1. Log into cPanel
  2. Go to Security > SSL/TLS
  3. Click Manage SSL Sites
  4. Select your domain
  5. Paste Certificate, Private Key, and CA Bundle
  6. Click Install Certificate

Manual Installation (Apache)

<VirtualHost *:443>
    ServerName example.com
    DocumentRoot /var/www/html
    
    SSLEngine on
    SSLCertificateFile /path/to/certificate.crt
    SSLCertificateKeyFile /path/to/private.key
    SSLCertificateChainFile /path/to/ca-bundle.crt
</VirtualHost>

Manual Installation (Nginx)

server {
    listen 443 ssl;
    server_name example.com;
    
    ssl_certificate /path/to/certificate.crt;
    ssl_certificate_key /path/to/private.key;
    
    # Additional SSL settings
    ssl_protocols TLSv1.2 TLSv1.3;
    ssl_ciphers HIGH:!aNULL:!MD5;
}

SSL Best Practices

1. Force HTTPS

Redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS. In .htaccess:

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]

2. Use Strong Protocols

Disable outdated protocols:

  • ❌ SSL 2.0, SSL 3.0 (vulnerable)
  • ❌ TLS 1.0, TLS 1.1 (deprecated)
  • ✅ TLS 1.2, TLS 1.3 (secure)

3. Enable HSTS

HTTP Strict Transport Security tells browsers to always use HTTPS:

Header always set Strict-Transport-Security "max-age=31536000; includeSubDomains"

Change all internal links from http:// to https:// or use protocol-relative URLs (//example.com).

5. Update External Resources

Ensure scripts, images, and stylesheets from external sources use HTTPS. Mixed content (HTTP resources on HTTPS pages) triggers browser warnings.

6. Renew Before Expiration

Set reminders to renew certificates before they expire. Better yet, use auto-renewal services.

7. Monitor Your Certificate

Use tools like SSL Labs to check your configuration:

Aim for an A+ rating.

Troubleshooting SSL Issues

Mixed Content Warnings

Problem: Browser shows “partially secure” warning Cause: Some resources load over HTTP instead of HTTPS Solution: Update all resource URLs to HTTPS

Certificate Expired

Problem: Browser shows security warning Cause: Certificate validity period ended Solution: Renew the certificate immediately

Certificate Not Trusted

Problem: Browser shows “not secure” despite having SSL Cause: Self-signed certificate or missing CA chain Solution: Install proper CA bundle / intermediate certificates

Name Mismatch

Problem: Certificate warning about domain name Cause: Certificate issued for different domain Solution: Get certificate for correct domain or add SANs

Connection Not Private

Problem: Chrome shows “Your connection is not private” Cause: Various certificate issues Solution: Check certificate validity, installation, and server configuration

SSL Certificates at Hostdeal

Every Hostdeal hosting plan includes free SSL certificates:

  • ✅ Automatic Let’s Encrypt SSL
  • ✅ One-click installation via DirectAdmin
  • ✅ Automatic renewal (no expiration worries)
  • ✅ Works for all your domains
  • ✅ No extra cost

How to Enable SSL on Hostdeal

  1. Log into your DirectAdmin control panel
  2. Click SSL Certificates
  3. Select your domain
  4. Click Enable Auto SSL
  5. Wait a few minutes for installation
  6. Your site now has HTTPS!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I really need SSL if I don’t sell anything?

Yes! SSL protects contact forms, login pages, and builds trust. Plus, it helps SEO.

Will SSL slow down my website?

No. Modern TLS is highly optimized. HTTP/2 (which requires HTTPS) actually makes sites faster.

Can I get SSL for free?

Yes! Let’s Encrypt provides free certificates, and Hostdeal includes free SSL with all hosting plans.

How long does SSL installation take?

With Hostdeal’s auto SSL, just a few minutes. Manual installations take longer depending on your setup.

Do I need separate SSL for each subdomain?

You can either get individual certificates or a wildcard certificate that covers all subdomains.

What happens when SSL expires?

Your site shows security warnings and visitors can’t connect. Always renew before expiration.

Conclusion

SSL certificates are no longer optional – they’re essential for every website. They protect your visitors, improve your SEO, and build trust.

The good news? Getting SSL is easier and cheaper than ever. With Hostdeal, SSL certificates are included free with every hosting plan, automatically installed and renewed.

Ready to secure your website? Get Hostdeal Hosting with Free SSL →

Need help with SSL? Contact our support team – we’re available 24/7!

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