With the soaring figures of data breaches and online scams every year, web security becomes a priority. Websites can be secured in many ways, and one of the most popular ways to secure a website is by installing an SSL certificate on your site. When an SSL certificate (Secure Socket Layer) is installed on a website, it not only makes the website trustworthy but also provides data confidentiality and authenticity to the website.
All e-commerce platforms secure their sites with SSL certificates for their transaction safety. These digital certificates use encryption tools to secure the website and help boost Google SEO ranks.
About SSL Certificates:
Ever since e-business reached global markets by crossing all boundaries of cities and countries, SSL Certificates became even more important for online businesses and e-commerce websites.
These certificates help display trust icons on websites like HTTPS in the address bar and padlock in the URL. Many SSL products come with trusted site seals which are displayed on all the pages of the website, naming the site as a genuine site.
The main function of an SSL certificate is to ensure that the browser server communication is secured with encryption.
About Certificate Authorities:
There are many Certificate Authorities (CA’s) all around the globe who sell multiple SSL products. When you wish to purchase an SSL certificate for your website, you need to approach a reliable and trustworthy Certificate Authority for your web security requirements.
Though it may seem easy at first, it is not very simple to pick up a Certificate Authority. Google searches may certainly give you a list of CA’s who sell these security certificates for free or very cheap rates.
Though the price is one of the factors which you may consider before approaching any CA, many other critical factors also need to be considered, because the reputation of your company as well as the security of your business, solely depends on your choice of Certificate Authority.
Since CA’s authenticate domains, companies, and businesses, they hold remarkable importance for ensuring data security.
Examples of CA’ and Resellers:
ClickSSL, Comodo, Thawte, GlobalSign, RapidSSL, etc. are a few admired names.
It is risky to purchase an SSL certificate from a nameless and non-branded company, which has recently started selling SSL certificates. Apart from budgetary goals and security goals, let us check out some key factors, which need to be considered before choosing a CA.
Factors to be Considered Before Choosing a Certificate Authority:
1. Valid SSL Certificate:
Your SSL service provider should have a valid SSL certificate themselves. Since multiple SSL service providers sell all global brands of SSL certificates, it becomes tough to pinpoint one for your web requirement.
But you need to choose an authentic Certificate Authority and not some over-night-built SSL company who do not have a valid SSL certificate. There are many SSL Certificates are available in market from that EV SSL Certificate provides high authentication, and it is advisable to opt for an SSL service provider, who has an Extended Validation certificate installed on their website. This SSL displays trust, and you can trust them with your digital security.
2. Acknowledgment, Longevity & Experience:
Ensure that all famous browsers, applications, operating systems, and devices recognize and acknowledge your CA. Your CA should be embedded in these browsers and operating systems so that they are recognized, and no other issues crop up in the future.
The longevity of the CA is useful in the selection process, because the longer time they are in business, the better they will be able to serve their customers.
Their experience and their efficacious reputation will help generate trust factors in the mind of their customers. Their expert suggestions can help you to decide on the best type of SSL security for your site.
Example: If you have multiple businesses and wish to secure multiple domains and sub-domains of all levels, an experienced CA can guide you to opt for Multi-Domain SSL certificates, wherein a single certificate can fulfil all your web security requirements.
3. Expert Telephonic Help:
For a layperson, installing an SSL certificate on their website may be difficult, and they may face technical issues too. Any e-commerce industry or online business requires web developers or web professionals who can solve IT related queries. Many times, small and medium businesses cannot afford to have these trained professionals.
Hence your SSL certificate provider must have an expert team round the clock for solving your SSL related queries. Telephonic expert help can solve all your popped-up technical queries, thus smoothening your web security process.
4. Legitimate Email Address:
A CA having only a virtual office address is risky, and many times, you may have noticed that such offices tend to wind up and shut down during midnights, after duping customers with a sizable amount of money.
A good choice means to wisely choose an SSL certificate provider who has a legitimate mailing address, which is verifiable and helps to authenticate the CA to its web users.
5. Primary Focus on SSL Products:
Since competition prevails everywhere, many SSL service providers sell other products along with SSL products to earn enormous profits.
The focus of such companies is diversified, and they may fail to manage SSL products effectively.
Select a CA, focusing solely on SSL certificates and their products only, to get the best digital security services.
6. Multiple Brands and Options:
CA’s having only 1 or 2 brands of SSL certificates cannot give other better options since they are unaware of the same. Go for a CA who has all global SSL brands under one roof, so that your digital business has an option to choose from a wide portfolio and your CA can give an unbiased opinion on the best brand suitable for your business.
7. Live 24/7/365 Customer Support:
To stay in the competition, almost all CA’s affirm to provide 24/7/365 live customer support via phone or email, or chat. Many times, it is noticed that in emergencies, there is no staff available to attend the calls or reply to email queries instantly.
Even Live Chats go unattended, and hence double-check how your CA manages this round-the-clock schedule as per time zones. Go for reference checks with other existing clients if any for the same or go for a mock test to ascertain their claim.
8. Reference Check on Partnerships:
Many companies affirm that they are into partnerships with many CA’s, but written confirmations and reference letters need to be affirmed before selecting your CA. A healthy relationship between resellers and CA is essential before choosing an SSL certificate provider.
9. SSL Tools for SSL Installation:
Multiple SSL tools like SSL Checker, CSR Decoder, SSL Finder, etc. are supplied by some CA’s which authenticate not only the SSL installation process but also its security features.
Example: ClickSSL is one of the best SSL certificate providers to buy the cheapest SSL certificates. They provide multiple tools along with different SSL certificates for customer benefits. To have detailed information on these SSL tools, visit the ClickSSL website.
10. Auto Remainder on SSL Renewal:
The focal point of many money-minded CA’s is only limited to more sales and profits, and they do not pay attention to SSL renewals. Many times, the inadequacy of handling SSL certificate client orders, lack of communication, etc. may result in client websites losing on to encryption securities due to the expiry of SSL certificates.
This results in an unsecured site, direct loss of site visitors, unencrypted data on the website, down gradation of SEO ranks, and lastly attacks from untrusted sources. To prevent these damages, early renewal of SSL certificates before the expiry date is essential.
Go for an SSL certificate provider, who reminds you about the expiry of your SSL certificate via phone or sends an auto reminder for the same via email.
11. Money-Back Guarantee:
Clients may have dissatisfaction with SSL products or may wish to opt for another type or brand of SSL certificate for their online business. In such cases, they may wish to have their money back without hassles.
A good CA is the one that provides money-back offers along with SSL certificates. Many SSL providers do provide a 30-day refund policy to win customer’s trust.
Select such an SSL provider who can pay your money back on the cancellation of the order.
12. Online Reputation:
Online presence and reputation are essential, and hence extensive research by reading online reviews of clients, and their ratings need to be considered.
- Client – Company Relationship
- Solving of Issues
- Value for Money
- Positive Aspects
Google Reviews and talks with old clients of such companies can help you in choosing your SSL certificate provider.
Wrapping Up:
Ensure that your CA has flexible SSL products of multiple validations that meet your online requirements and are good from a budgetary point of view. Their SSL products should support all your browsers and operating systems with their robust encryption securities.
Your CA needs to grow with you and be with you in case of any issues. Since you are targeting for a long-lasting relationship with your CA, confirm all the above factors before selecting your SSL certificate provider. Best Wishes!!