Importance of the Let’s Encrypt Wildcard SSL

A Let’s Encrypt Wildcard SSL makes the setup and maintenance of websites with subdomains much easier, as they can be encrypted with a single certificate. The major benefits of an SSL certificate are authentication (ensures data is being sent to and received form the correct server, protecting from impersonation) and data integrity (ensures there’s no loss or alteration of data during transport).

The Wildcard SSL is diverse from the standard SSL because it secures the traffic for your primary domain name and for all of its subdomains as well. This is particularly useful for websites with different segments divided by subdomains (like stores, message boards, chats, blogs etc.). With a standard SSL you need to install a separate domain certificate for each subdomain, and with Wildcard you can secure them with a single certificate. This makes setting up and maintaining a website with multiple subdomains much easier.

Here are the five key benefits of using an SSL certificate.

1. The SSL Certificate Protects Data

The fundamental function of an SSL certificate is to protect server-client communication. On installing SSL, every bit of information is encrypted. When dealing with sensitive data such as IDs, passwords, credit card numbers, etc., SSL helps you protect against hackers and skimmers. As the data is turned into the undecipherable format by SSL, hacker’s skills prove to be an edgeless sword against the unsurpassable encryption technology of SSL certificates.

2. SSL Affirms Your Identity

Secondly, an SSL certificate is to provide authentication to a website. Identity verification is one of the most important aspects as far as web security is concerned. When you want to install an SSL certificate, you must go through a validation process set by an independent third party called a Certificate Authority (CA). Depending on the type of certificate, the CA verifies the identity of you and your organization. Once you have proved your identity, your website gets trust indicators vouching for your integrity. Learn more on the different types of validation.

3. Better Search Engine Ranking

In 2014, Google changed its search algorithm in order to give the upper hand to HTTPS-enabled websites. This has been evident in various studies conducted by SEO experts around the world.

Whose website doesn’t want to be on the first page of Google’s search results page?

4. SSL is a Payment Card Industry/Data Security Standard (PCI/DSS) Requirement

If you accept online payments on your website, it must be PCI compliant. Having an SSL certificate installed is one of the 12 primary requirements set by the payment card industry (PCI).

5. SSL Improves Customer Trust

Besides encryption and authentication, SSL certificates are vital from a customer trust point of view. The easy to identify signs inform users that the data they send will be secured. And if an OV or EV SSL is installed,   they can see your organization’s details. Once they recognize that you’re a valid entity, they’re more likely to do business with you or even revisit your site.

Note: As from 2018, Google started to highlight websites without SSL/TLS certificates installed. Most web browsers will punish such websites with a warning message of “Not Secure” on the URL bar. Chances of such being blocked in the future is not far off from reality. Blockage will result to loss of visitors and consequently, business and no website owner would want that.

How secure would anyone feel if a browser warned them about a website being “not secure”? So, what are you waiting for? Check out our super-affordable range of SSL certificates and add an unconquerable layer of protection to your website.