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Is there a difference between a free SSL vs paid SSL certificate for SEO?
There is no difference between a free SSL vs a paid SSL certificate for SEO.
However, if you do not have an SSL certificate, whether that’s a free SSL or a paid SSL, it can affect your SEO.
Check out this article to read more about how SSL certificates can affect SEO in regards to Mixed Content, “Mixed Content“
In fact, a couple years ago all the major search engines, especially Google, began slowly implementing a requirement that websites all be secured with an SSL certificate.
This is to help ensure a secure internet experience for their users.
If you do not have an SSL certificate, it will affect your SEO since Google will push down any website that does not have an SSL certificate in their search engine rankings.
Also, the browser will warn the user of any website that does not have an SSL certificate that the website is not secure and not safe.
The user will get a sign like this on the page when they click over to your link.
I don’t know about you, but if I see that red warning sign, I will easily click away and go to a more secure search engine result.
What is the difference between free SSL and paid SSL?
The difference is that most free SSL certificates are only good for 90 days. That’s the first.
The second difference is free SSL certificates only secure the domain on a very basic level. Whereas paid SSL certificates come with different levels of security as well as different levels of warranty should you need one.
Warranties are there in case your site gets hacked in some way and sensitive information is stolen by hackers who can then use that information to commit fraud.
If that information they use to commit fraud, like stealing financial information from your clients is used, then you as the website owner are responsible for any damages caused by the breach, especially financial.
That’s why there are usually warranties on some SSL certificates.
Here are Sectigo’s SSL Paid Plans which should give you all the warranty information along with pricing for each of their paid SSL Plans.
Is SSL for free legit?
Most Free SSL certificates are legit. However, you should always check to make sure that the issuer of the SSL certificate has been approved by the certificate authority (CA).
All major web browsers have a list built in of (CA) SSL certificate issuers.
So if a company is offering a free SSL certificate, you should double check to make sure that they are authorized by the CA.
For further reading on CA’s and what they’re all about click on to read, “What are certificates and certificate authorities?”
Do you have to pay for SSL certificates?
There are free SSL certificates that of course you don’t have to pay for, thus free. However, there are some SSL certificates that you do have to pay for.
These SSL certificates that are paid are usually more secured, also offering degrees of support should a security breach or something happen to your website.
However, free SSL certificates normally do not have this type of support. Though, some like Let’s Encrypt do have a user database and community that can help answer most questions regarding their free SSL certificate.
Other than that, then you would need other security measures like using a company like Wordfence or Cloudflare to secure your site in addition to your free SSL.
Where can I get a free SSL certificate?
Many companies offer a free SSL certificate. Many companies that offer paid SSL certificates will even issue you a free SSL certificate for 90 days to try out their service.
However, most free SSL certificates again, only last for 90 days.
After that, you have to renew it.
Though, there is one company that I know of that has an automatic renewal every 90 days which I will go into below.
What’s the difference between LetsEncrypt vs paid SSL certificates?
Let’s Encrypt is open source and a CA issuer of SSL certificates.
Let’s Encrypt is a free SSL certificate and definitely the most popular free SSL certificate, especially for WordPress sites.
However, they only offer the basic coverage as far as an SSL certificate is concerned. In addition, paid SSL certificates not only offer more extensive coverage depending on the plan you get, but they also offer support as well.
Although Let’s Encrypt does not offer support since it is open source, they do have a very extensive forum and community which can be quite useful as far as learning more about SSL certificates, including how to handle some security breaches.
Their forum and community are also free.
Is a free SSL certificate safe?
A free SSL is safe and provides a minimum level of encrypted protection. Basically an SSL is an encryption key between your website and the visitor.
The visitor verifies through their browser whether or not your website is encrypted with an SSL certificate.
This is normally done quite seamlessly and neither the webmaster nor the visitor need to be involved in the transaction; it’s all done seamlessly and automatically.
However, for greater levels of security I would opt for a paid SSL certificate which includes support as well.
How do SSL certificates vary in price?
SSL certificates vary and price depending on how many domains you have as well as sub domains.
Also they vary in price in regards to the amount of security each provides as well as the warranties that they come with.
The higher the warranty the higher the price.
Where can I buy an SSL certificate?
You can buy an SSL certificate from a variety of reputable vendors like Comodo (now Sectigo), Digicert, Sucuri etc.
How can I get a free green bar SSL certificate?
To get the green bar SSL certificate, unfortunately you would have to buy it, since it is considered an EV SSL certificate.
“EV” which stands for Extended Validation, are the only SSL certificates that are legitimately able to provide the green color, along with their SSL certificate.
Are all SSL certificates free?
Not all SSL certificates are free of course. There are free versions of paid SSL certificates.
These free versions of paid SSL certificates are usually given by the SSL certificate issuer in order for potential clients to try out their service.
There are also SSL certificate providers that do provide some free SSL certificates, but most of these are limited to 90 days, before you would have to actually renew the SSL certificate manually yourself.
There’s only one free SSL certificate that is open source and CA certified. That is of course the Let’s Encrypt.
What’s great about Let’s Encrypt is, it also allows you to attach the SSL certificate with the use of a simple WordPress plug-in.
Another great thing about Let’s Encrypt is not only that it issues a free SSL certificate but it automatically renews every 90 days, so it’s almost a set it and forget it SSL certificate.
This is ideal for those who have a simple blog and do not want to deter potential visitors by showing them that their site is indeed secure.
Free SSL vs Paid SSL for SEO conclusions.
Whether you need a free SSL certificate or a paid SSL certificate, first you need to realize that neither do not have any effect on SEO.
However, if you do not have an SSL certificate, it will affect your SEO as I had mentioned above.
Also the difference between free and paid SSL certificates are all in the levels of coverage, warranties as well as support.
With a free SSL certificate unless you get that free SSL certificate from a paid SSL certificate provider. That SSL certificate will not come with support nor any warranties as well.
So if you have a simple blog and are concerned about your SEO, don’t worry, just get Let’s Encrypt download the WordPress plug-in to install Let’s Encrypt and it should only take you about 5 minutes to attach both.
Most hosting plans now include an SSL certificate with their hosting. However, you should also double-check. Some actually do still charge for a free SSL certificate.
Additionally, you need to remember that if you buy an SSL certificate from someone other than your host, then you may need to pay for the application of that SSL certificate to your website.
So even if you have a can get a free SSL certificate, some hosting plans do charge to have that certificate attached to your website. You should also keep that in mind.
