SSL Certificate Guide: Types, Benefits & How to Get One

When visitors land on a website, the first thing they lookout immediately is whether it is secure or not. An SSL Certificates guarantees security and boosts customers’ confidence. Thus, what do you need to know before buying one in essence?

What is an SSL Certificate?

An SSL Certificate (Secure Sockets Layer Certificate) is a digital security protocol that authenticates the identity of a website and encrypts the data sent to and from the server and the user. This ensures that sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers, and personal data remains secret. Earlier, websites operated on a protocol known as HTTP, which was insecure. Now that HTTPS has been adopted, along with SSL security, the risk of data breaches has reduced to a great deal.

At Hashtag Orange, we provide comprehensive support to businesses securing their online platforms. From helping to choose the correct certificate to its proper integration, Hashtag Orange helps ensure that your site is secure and credible.

How SSL Certificates Work

This designates the basis of connection protocol between the browser and the SSL web server. The handshake involves the authentication of the server’s identity, the exchange of encryption keys, and the setting up of a secure and encrypted connection. Thus, the URL shall indicate HTTPS with a corresponding padlock icon, though with some latest updates, the padlock has changed to depict ‘settings’ on some browsers.

Importance of SSL Certificates for Websites

Why should the brand matter when it comes to an SSL Certificate?

  •       Data Security: Encrypts the information, preventing it from being hacked.
  •       User Trust: Users are encouraged to proceed to your website.
  •       Improved SEO: Google ranks higher for HTTPS enabled sites.
  •       Compliance: Meets GDPR and such regulatory requirements.

 

Hashtag Orange ensures your brand will gain these and more advantages while promoting an acceptable SEO foundation that is trustworthy.

Types of SSL Certificates

There are different types of SSL Certificates, each catering to specific business needs:

Certificate Type Ideal For Features
Domain Validation (DV) Blogs, personal websites              Basic encryption and domain validation
Organisation Validation (OV)   Business websites        Verifies organisation identity
Extended Validation (EV) E-commerce, financial platforms             Displays company name in the browser
Wildcard SSL Multiple subdomains Covers one domain and all its subdomains
Multi-Domain SSL Agencies, networks       Secures multiple domain names

 

We at the Hashtag Orange assist our brand clients in choosing the best-fit certificate as per their structure, scope, and audience.

How to Get an SSL Certificate

Wonder how to get an SSL Certificate for your website?

  1. Determine What You Need – What kind of validation and coverage do you require?
  2. Choose a Certificate Authority (CA) – Like DigiCert, Sectigo, Let’s Encrypt, etc.
  3. Generate a CSR (Certificate Signing Request) – From your hosting server or control panel.
  4. Submit CSR to the CA – For validation.
  5. Install the Certificate – On your server and configure your site to use HTTPS.

Bringing ease to our clientele, we at the Hashtag Orange simplify this process by managing everything from CSR generation to SSL installation and testing, all of which take care of currents with no time wasted and no technical hassle.

Self-Signed SSL Certificate Pros and Cons

A self-signed SSL Certificate is generated and endorsed by the very individual or organization without any reliance on a trusted CA.

Pros:

  • Free of charge
  • Instant creation

Cons:

  • No browser trust
  • Producing security alerts
  • Not applicable to public websites

However, for internal environments, Hashtag Orange recommends CA-signed certificates on customer-facing platforms where trust and security are needed.

How to Verify an SSL Certificate on a Website

To check the SSL Certificate on a website:

  1. Click the padlock or settings icon next to the URL.
  2. “Connection is secure” or a similar message is viewed.
  3. Click to see certificate details – issuing authority, expiry date, etc.

Our experts at Hashtag Orange also offer SSL monitoring services such that the certificate is kept valid and functional every minute of every day.

Common SSL Certificate Setup Mistakes

These are some of the common mistakes that you must avoid:

– Incorrect CSR generation

– Forgetting to renew certificate

– Not updating mixed content (HTTP links)

– Missing redirection from HTTP to HTTPS

Hashtag Orange audits SSL setups and troubleshoots them to eliminate such errors for smooth and secure performance.

SSL Certificate and SEO Impact

Google counts HTTPS as a ranking factor. Sites with SSL:

– Load their sites faster

– Reduce bounce

– Rank highly in search results

Our competent team integrates the SSL installation process as part of a bigger SEO strategy, which assists brands to be credible among their audiences and become winner of visibility.

Moreover, installing an SSL Certificate is more than an encryption process; it is about trust, professionalism, and future success. Whether you are a startup or an enterprise, it has become mandatory to make your site secure.

That’s why we at Hashtag Orange works with brands to deliver complete SSL solutions from consulting and selection to setup and renewal so that websites are safe, compliant, and highly ranked.