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Free vs paid SSL: which do I need?

What SSL does, what's included free with hosting, and when a paid certificate is worth it.

1 min read Updated

An SSL certificate encrypts the connection between your visitors and your website. It shows the padlock and https:// in the address bar, and stops browsers from showing “Not Secure” warnings.

Free SSL (included with web hosting)

Every Webmart web hosting plan includes free SSL. It’s issued and renewed automatically for your domain, www, and cPanel services such as webmail, as long as the domain points to our server. It’s ideal for most websites, blogs and small business sites.

Paid SSL

Certificate Secures Good for
Domain SSL One domain (plus www) Sites that want a warranty and site seal
Wildcard SSL A domain and all its subdomains (*.yourdomain.co.bw) Businesses with many subdomains
Extended Validation (EV) SSL One domain, with full company verification Online shops, finance and organisations that need the highest trust

Paid certificates include a warranty and a trust seal you can show on your site, and EV certificates verify your registered company. See SSL certificate options.

Which one?

  • Website on Webmart hosting: free SSL is usually enough. Check it’s working.
  • Website hosted elsewhere that doesn’t offer free SSL, or a Business Email webmail address on your own domain: buy a paid certificate.
  • Taking payments or sensitive data: consider EV SSL.

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