TLDR: Skip expensive SSL (HTTPS) certificates: you likely don’t need them. Cheaper HTTPS certs offer identical critical encryption and website security. Correct technical configuration, not certificate cost, truly secures your site.
You’ve just registered your business’s domain and web hosting. Then comes the prompt: “Purchase a premium SSL (HTTPS) Certificate?” Security is vital, so surely the expensive option offers better protection, right?
Wrong.
For most small to medium-sized businesses, a free SSL (HTTPS) Certificate provides the exact same fundamental security as one costing hundreds, or even thousands, of euros. The key isn’t the price tag; it’s correct configuration that secures your website.
What SSL Provides: Strong Encryption
An SSL (HTTPS) Certificate gives your site the vital padlock symbol and “HTTPS” in the address bar, assuring visitors of a secure connection. Without one, web browsers display scary warnings or even block access. It’s a non-negotiable requirement for any credible online presence.
HTTPS primarily encrypts data between a user’s browser and your website. Encryption scrambles data into unreadable code. Only the intended recipient holds the digital ‘key’ to unscramble it, ensuring privacy. This stops sensitive data, like login credentials or payment details, from being intercepted. All properly implemented SSL (HTTPS) Certificates — at any price — provide this identical, robust encryption. For more on SSL/TLS basics, you can refer to resources from AWS or Kaspersky.
Cheap vs. Expensive: Where’s the Difference?
A basic, single-domain SSL (HTTPS) certificate can range from free to €50 per year. More expensive “Extended Validation” (EV) SSL certs can easily cost over €500 annually.
If all certificates encrypt equally, why the price disparity? Expensive SSL certificates involve a more rigorous identity verification process for the certificate holder. This organisational information can be viewed by clicking the padlock icon.
However, for most businesses, this added verification offers minimal practical value. There’s no difference in security provided, and very few customers click the padlock to check company details. Most simply look for the padlock itself as a general sign of security, which browsers display for any valid SSL certificate, regardless of cost.
The critical, underlying encryption remains identical. There’s actually no technical reason to buy the most expensive SSL certificate.
At FlyingFish.ie, we provide free SSL (HTTPS) Certificates from Let’s Encrypt with our hosting packages. Let’s Encrypt is a non-profit Certificate Authority that has made HTTPS adoption widespread by providing free, fully trusted certificates. These offer the exact same cryptographic security as any paid alternative, ensuring your site is secure, avoids browser warnings, and protects your visitors’ data, all at no additional cost.
Addressing Common Misconceptions About Free/Cheap SSL
Some providers suggest free (or cheap) SSL certs are inferior to their more expensive options. Let’s address the most common arguments:
- Premium certs offer ‘Enhanced Encryption Levels’: This claim is simply not true. All modern, valid SSL (HTTPS) Certificates, free or paid, use the same strong encryption standards (e.g., 256-bit encryption). Cryptographic strength is a technical standard, not a premium feature.
- Warranty: Paid certificates often boast high-value warranties. But these typically cover rare instances of mis-issuance by the Certificate Authority, which are very rare and hard (if not impossible) to claim against. Such warranties do not cover financial losses from data breaches or downtime caused by other security vulnerabilities.
- Trust Site Seal: Some paid certificates offer a ‘site seal’ image to add to your site, but these can easily be photoshopped and mean nothing to most customers. People are far more influenced by the padlock icon and seeing “HTTPS” in their browser address bar.
- Short Validity Period (90 days): True, Let’s Encrypt certificates are valid for 90 days. But crucially, reputable hosting providers like FlyingFish.ie offer automatic renewal, meaning your site is never left without HTTPS. So this short validity period is a non-issue.
Claims that “Paid SSL certificates are generally better” or offer “more reliable protection” are misleading. From a security standpoint – encryption of data in transit – there is no functional difference. The ‘additional benefits’ are almost exclusively related to identity verification, with limited practical value for most businesses.
Configuration is Key
While the certificate provides encryption, its effectiveness hinges on proper installation and configuration. An incorrectly set up certificate, regardless of cost, could compromise security or lead to errors. Expertise matters more than price. Ensuring your web server is correctly configured, all site assets load over HTTPS, and the certificate remains valid, are critical steps. A well-managed hosting environment handles these technicalities.
When a Premium Certificate Might Make Sense
A few specific scenarios might warrant a more expensive EV SSL (HTTPS) Certificate. These are not about enhancing encryption, but identity and visible trust. For instance, major financial institutions, large e-commerce platforms with extremely sensitive transactions, or government agencies might opt for an EV certificate. Their extensive verification offers additional visible assurance of the organisation’s legal identity. This can be crucial where the highest level of identity proof is critical to their specific user base or regulatory needs. For most businesses, however, the practical benefit to the average customer is negligible.
The Smart Choice for Your Business
You don’t need to pay for a superior SSL cert to get good security. For almost every business, a free SSL certificate, correctly configured and managed, is the most sensible and cost-effective solution. It provides the essential encryption and the trust signals your customers expect, allowing you to allocate your budget to other vital areas.
Explore our Website Care plans today to learn how our secure hosting, complete with free, expertly configured SSL (HTTPS) Certificates, can provide peace of mind for your business.
