Blog Post Aug 05, 2024

How much does an SSL certificate cost? Considerations & purchasing process

SSL certificates are crucial for website security, encrypting communications between servers and browsers to ensure secure connections. The purchasing process involves selecting a Certificate Authority (CA), choosing the appropriate type of SSL certificate based on validation level (DV, OV, or EV) and coverage (single domain, multi-domain, or wildcard), and completing the validation and installation steps. Costs vary, with prices ranging from $99 for a single domain DV certificate to $799 for a wildcard OV certificate. Automated certificate lifecycle management (CLM) is recommended to manage renewals and reduce the risk of expired certificates. Trusted CAs like Sectigo provide comprehensive support and solutions for these needs.

1. What is an SSL certificate?

2. How much does an SSL certificate cost?

3. How to buy an SSL certificate

4. Further considerations

5. Next steps on purchasing an SSL certificate

Digital certificates are a cornerstone of modern website security. Strategically designed to safeguard communication between servers and browsers, these certificates provide the ultimate peace of mind: a clear sign of authentication, plus confidence that communicating parties are involved in secure connections.

These benefits are well-understood, but the process of purchasing an SSL certificate for someone new to the process may spark confusion. From selection to validation and certificate signing requests (CSRs), there is a lot to consider and understand. Cost also comes into play, and, while the ROI of secure connections can be difficult to quantify, there's no denying that SSL certificates represent crucial investments for website owners.

Looking to learn about the steps involved in requesting, obtaining and installing SSL certificates? Keep reading to learn what it takes to purchase an SSL certificate and to get a sense of how much this might cost.

What is an SSL certificate?

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificates, the common name for Transport Layer Security (TLS) certificates, are digital credentials designed to authenticate website identities. As an encryption-based security protocol, TLS relies on encryption algorithms and cryptographic keys to create secure communication.

While ‘SSL’ and ‘TLS’ are often used interchangeably, TLS is the updated protocol; SSL was technically deprecated in 2015. The TLS protocol has stronger cryptographic algorithms and a more robust handshake process comparatively.

SSL/TLS certificates have a huge impact not only on general digital security but also on search engine rankings. Search engines favor HTTPS-enabled sites because security is a high priority—and SSL certificates promote better web security by encrypting the data transmitted between servers and browsers.

Types to choose from

There are certain considerations to keep in mind when deciding which type of SSL certificate to purchase, the first of which is the type of validation level.

Domain validation (DV) certificates are the easiest to obtain and demonstrate that domains are controlled by the entities that request SSL certificates.
Organization validation (OV) confirms the same details but takes it a step further by authenticating the business identity and legitimacy.
Extended validation (EV) certificates call for a more rigorous vetting process where more organization details must be provided. This is the industry standard for safeguarding eCommerce websites.

Another distinction you’ll have to understand is the variation needed. Single domain SSL certificates cover one domain, often supporting both www and non-www versions, wildcard SSL certificates secure both a main domain and its subdomains, and multi-domain SSL certificates cover multiple primary domains.

How much does an SSL certificate cost?

Most people recognize the value of encrypted connections, but some worry about SSL certificate prices. These can vary, but pricing transparency is a must. Keep in mind that a lot of the cost depends on the types of certificates required: single domain, multi-domain, or wildcard certificates, and the validation level required.

At Sectigo, the starting price for a DV SSL certificate is straightforward: $99 for a single domain DV certificate. Pricing differs for OV or EV SSL certificates. We've provided a basic pricing breakdown below as they relate to different types of SSL certificates:

Single Domain DV: $99
Single Domain OV: $179
Single Domain EV: $249
Multi-Domain DV: $249
Multi-Domain OV: $49
Multi-Domain EV: $599
Wildcard DV: $449
Wildcard OV: $799

Some places promote free SSL certificates, however there are hidden costs associated with these. Considering how important these digital certificates are, it’s best to go with commercial options that come with support, warranties, and protection. Many places offer a free trial before purchase.

How to buy an SSL certificate

Ready to take the next step and obtain an SSL certificate? Good news: with the right Certificate Authority (CA), this process can be straightforward. Follow these suggestions to get started:

Choosing a Certificate Authority

The first and most important step to obtaining an SSL certificate? Selecting a trustworthy CA. This third-party organization holds an important responsibility: checking credentials and validating certificate requests. CAs play a crucial role in building and maintaining trust throughout the web.

Careful CA selection is essential. Take a close look at the available levels of validation, along with what they offer for customer support, and if they offer automated certificate lifecycle management (CLM) solutions. Needs may vary, with budgeting, IT concerns and even industry regulations often coming into play. When in doubt, look for a trusted CA with a robust certificate selection and years of experience.

The purchasing process

Once you have done your research and examined potential CAs, it is time to move forward with SSL certificate issuance. Follow these steps to get started:

Choose a provider. Upon choosing a CA, you should be prepared to visit SSL certificate provider websites and take a closer look at available certificate solutions.
Select the best SSL certificate type based on needs. SSL certificates take many forms including varying approaches to validation. You’ll have to choose from domain validation (DV), organization validation (OV), and extended validation (EV) along with choosing how many domains and/or subdomains you need to protect. Take some time to learn about these options to make sure you purchase the correct type.
Verification process. Once the right certificate has been chosen, it's time to move forward with the validation process. This involves submitting a certificate signing request (CSR). Be prepared to provide necessary details to prove domain ownership. Essentials may include the fully qualified domain name (FQDN), organization name, and address.

Installation. Following validation, certificate files will be made available for download. These can be extracted, and then, upon logging into the hosting control panel or server, certificate files are uploaded. Customer support should promote a seamless installation process.

Further considerations

After purchasing, there are other steps that need to be completed to reduce the risk of outages and expired certificates.

Understand the validity period. Digital certificate lifespans are shrinking, so renewals will be needed more often. The norm once involved a validity period of 397 days, but 90-day lifespans are the future. This will have a significant impact on the long-term cost of maintaining digital certificates. This may seem frustrating, but shorter validity periods serve an important function: a shorter window of time in which new vulnerabilities can be exploited.

Proper certificate management. Without a strong approach to certificate lifecycle management, expiration is more likely — especially in light of shorter lifespans. Automated solutions streamline this process, ensuring that certificates are properly renewed on-time. This approach can produce considerable savings over time: less pressure on IT staff members and, most importantly, preventing costly data breaches or hacks.

Next steps on purchasing an SSL certificate

Ready to take the next step and purchase an SSL/TLS certificate? Be sure to choose a trusted CA that will provide assistance and peace of mind every step of the way.

Trusted by global brands for over 20 years, Sectigo is a leading Certificate Authority that offers a robust selection of SSL certificates. Sectigo also offers a powerful automated CLM platform that is designed to limit guesswork in certificate management and ensure consistent coverage for businesses.

Shop our SSL certificates today or learn more about Sectigo Certificate Manager.

Source: Forbes