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Why do I need an SSL certificate for my blog?
You don’t need an SSL certificate to have a blog. Your blog will be online as long as you pay for hosting.
However, if you want your blog to be found in Google, then you probably need one. Why?
Because when someone is searching around the internet using their browser, they may come across your website in the search results.
However, when they click on your link, Google will put up a flashing sign on their screen saying, “Your connection is not private.” Like this one:
So in theory, you don’t need one. But in reality you really do. I mean would you click on a link and go to a website that says “Your connection is not private.”
Do I need a SSL certificate for my ecommerce site?
Similar to a blog, you don’t really technically need an SSL certificate for any website actually, even an e-commerce website.
However, you do need an SSL certificate even more for an e-commerce site. Why?
Because most e-commerce sites will usually have financial transactions.
No one in their right mind would go and purchase anything off a website that doesn’t have at least the minimal amount of security which an SSL certificate provides.
In addition, you may need a higher level SSL certificate to conduct transactions. Why? Well for one, your payment processor may insist on it.
Two, high level SSL certificates come with a certain amount of insurance against fraudulent charges for example.
What happens if I don’t have an SSL certificate?
If you don’t have an SSL certificate on your website, even a very low level or minimal amount of security that an SSL certificate can provide, you will certainly see reduced traffic levels, since most people will be deterred from visiting sites when they see the sign flashing like the one above.
Also, Google will put down your website in the search results for not having one. So, SSL certificates do influence search engine results.
Is SSL needed for WordPress?
An SSL is not needed for WordPress or to have a working site. However, they are highly recommended for the reasons I laid out above.
How can I get a free SSL certificate?
There are quite a few places that now offer free SSL certificates.
However, the most popular is called Let’s Encrypt. Many hosting providers now provide free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates along with their hosting plans.
In fact, I would certainly make sure that your hosting provider does provide at least a free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate at a bare minimum. This is because actually some of them still don’t provide them, even nowadays when most hosts do. So always check to be sure.
There are many other free SSL certificates, but in my opinion, if you’re going to get a free one, just get Let’s Encrypt. Especially if you’re not very experienced in setting up a website or don’t want the hassles of installations etc.
With WordPress you can even download a plug-in that makes registering your Let’s Encrypt free SSL certificate a piece of cake.
What is “Let’s Encrypt”?
Let’s Encrypt is probably the most popular free SSL certificate available for WordPress users.
A free SSL certificate WordPress plugin.
The easiest plugin I know and the one that works the best with the free SSL certificate is again, the Let’s Encrypt install plug-in.
It’s a free SSL certificate WordPress plug-in that helps you install the Let’s Encrypt free SSL certificate without having to go directly into your files in your cPanel Dashboard.
Where can I get SSl certificates for WordPress?
You can find free SSL certificates here. Here is a list of some places that offer free SSL certificates.
However, my recommendation is to just go with Let’s Encrypt, if you’re looking for a free SSL certificate.
What is a simple SSL certificate?
A simple SSL certificate is basically that. It is a no frills SSL certificate that offers limited encryption protection for your website.
It doesn’t offer as much protection, nor any of the warranties that other paid SSL certificates offer.
Are there special ssl certificates just for blogs?
There are no special SSL certificates just for blogs.
A blog is basically like any other website but at a more minimal level design to just provide information like text along with video clips, images, etc.
Though a blog can also be built into a more sophisticated web platform. But a blog is the basic platform you need to be on the web. However, it still doesn’t have special SSL certificates for just blogs per se.
How to get HTTPS for free?
You can get the HTTPS prefix before your URL by simply getting a free SSL certificate, like “Let’s Encrypt”.
Yes, you do need an SSL certificate for your blog, summary.
The need for an SSL certificate is a must for your blog today. If you don’t have one and you simply keep the HTTP prefix, most web browsers will put a warning sign up when someone clicks a link to your website through their browser.
However, getting an SSL certificate for your blog nowadays, especially for WordPress is a piece of cake. Most blogs can simply use the Let’s Encrypt Free SSL certificate without any issues.
Even uploading the certificate and attaching it to your WordPress blog is pretty easy, especially with the Let’s Encrypt plug-in.
Getting an SSL certificate for your blog should be part of every blog or website’s initial setup. You’re only asking for trouble if you don’t.
