More so, in the world of the internet, the security of the respective websites and the safeguarding of data transmitted through cyberspace is a priority. To achieve this, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificates are the most commonly used method that enables and creates an encrypted connection between a server and the web browser. This brings trust because users receive SSL certificates to guarantee that their information is safe hence increasing customer loyalty. Through this guide, you’ll find extensive information on the best SSL certificate providers, their services, and factors that surround getting the best SSL provider for your website.
1. SSL Certificate Providers: An Overview
Digital certificates or SSL certificate providers are those that provide the SSL certificates and manage the certificates also. These providers are more important in securing and assuring the identities of sites on the internet. There are several criteria when choosing an SSL certificate provider: price, customer support, compatibility of certificates, and the number of products in a given list.
2. Key Features of SSL Certificate
When choosing an SSL certificate provider there are key factors of SSL certificates that are important and concern the functionality and suitability of the particular SSL certificate. These features include:
a. Domain Validation (DV): The lowest level of SSL certificates that prove the domain ownership and comes with some security features. DV SSL certificates are cheaper and fit best for a personal website or a small business website.
b. Organization Validation (OV): OV SSL certificates are more secure since the SSL certificate validates the organization with the domain. It‘s more effective for medium or large businesses and offers users certain assurance.
c. Extended Validation (EV): After going through an extensive evaluation, EV SSL certificates provide the highest confidence due to the authentication process applied. This certificate is particularly useful for major corporations, banks, and other financial institutions, Internet shops have a green strip under the address of the site, which proves its authenticity.
d. Multi-Domain Certificates: These SSL certificates facilitate the one certificate installation into multiple domains, and are thus cost-effective for organizations running several domains.
3. Top SSL Certificate Providers
To help you make an informed decision, we have curated a list of top SSL certificate providers based on their offerings, customer support, and overall reputation:
a. GlobalSign
Existing since 1996 and a part of the GMO Group since 2003, GlobalSign is one of the oldest SSL certificate providers currently on the market. The provider is also recognized for costing less and also for having a broad range of customer assistance. Further, our certificates can be broken down into DV SSL, OV SSL, EV SSL, and Wildcard SSL.
b. DigiCert
DigiCert provides SSL certificates like DV SSL, OV SSL, EV SSL, Wildcard SSL, etc. This provider has a fast process of issuing essays, as well as providing essential customer support and reasonable prices.
c. Comodo
Comodo is an SSL certificate provider founded in 2006 and currently sells many types of SSL certificates. They have DV SSL, OV SSL, EV SSL, Wild card SSL certificates, and Unified communication certificates which are a type of SSL certificates ideal for MS exchange, office communication, and Office SharePoint.
d. SSL.com
SSL.com is quite new in the SSL certificate serving business offering all types of SSL certificates at quite cheaper rates. The provider does provide DV SSL, OV SSL, EV SSL, as well as Wildcard SSL certificates, and IP-based SSL certificates which are perfect for those who don’t own a domain name.
e. Let's Encrypt
Let’s Encrypt on the other hand is a non-profit CA that offers free DV SSL certificates to different websites. The provider’s goal is to make the internet more secure connecting people worldwide by giving webmasters an easy automated solution for managing certificates. Even though Let’s Encrypt provides only DV SSL certificates, it has received appreciation from many developers and small business owners for the best solution at an affordable price.
4. Selecting the Right Provider of Your SSL Certificate
When selecting an SSL certificate provider, consider the following factors:
a. Type of SSL certificate: There are 3 types of SSL certificates and the choice of which to get depends on your business needs, the function of the website, and the desired level of security.
b. Price: Compare the price of the SSL certificates given by various providers to your price range and find out.
c. Customer Support: Select a provider with efficient customer managed service provider, especially through online chat, phone, and email.
d. Certificate Compatibility: Make sure that the provider’s SSL certificates fit your server, operating system as well as the web application that will be using it.
Thus, SSL certificate providers are important to guarantee the security of Web sites and ensure the online community that they are worth visiting. Choosing a reasoned, right provider, which will be able to take care of all your needs fit your budget, and meet with enough support is crucial to safeguard a web presence and the internet users it features. The above guide, reviewing the best SSL certificate providers, their products, and the things you need to consider while choosing an SSL certificate provider will allow you to make the right choice and protect your website.
