What is SSL Certificate?
An SSL certificate (Secure Sockets Layer, technically now TLS) enables an encrypted, secure connection between a user's web browser and the web server. Websites with SSL certificates are recognizable by "https://" and the lock symbol in the browser. SSL is now standard and is considered a ranking factor by Google. Without SSL, browsers show warnings like "Not secure," which deters users and reduces conversion rate. There are different SSL types: Domain Validation (DV) - simple and cheap, Organization Validation (OV) - with company validation, Extended Validation (EV) - highest validation. Let's Encrypt offers free DV certificates.
Key Points
- HTTPS is a Google ranking factor
- Browsers show warning without SSL
- Let's Encrypt offers free certificates
- DV, OV, EV: different validation levels
- Certificates must be renewed regularly
- Avoid mixed content (http resources on https page)
Practical Example
“After SSL implementation, the "Not secure" warning disappeared and conversions increased by 12%.”