What Is SSL/TLS?
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and its successor TLS encrypt the connection between visitors and your website.
With SSL: https://example.com (đź”’ padlock)
Without SSL: http://example.com (⚠️ "Not Secure")
Why SSL Matters
Security
Encrypts data in transit—passwords, credit cards, and personal info can't be intercepted.
Trust
Browsers show "Not Secure" warnings for sites without SSL. Visitors bounce.
SEO
Google uses HTTPS as a ranking signal. Non-SSL sites rank lower.
Free vs Paid SSL
| Type | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Let's Encrypt (DV) | FREE | Most websites |
| Cloudflare SSL | FREE | If using Cloudflare |
| OV Certificate | $50-200/yr | Business verification |
| EV Certificate | $100-500/yr | Banks, enterprise |
For most sites: Free Let's Encrypt or Cloudflare SSL is all you need. The encryption is identical.
How to Get SSL
- Hosting providers: Most include free SSL (Netlify, Vercel, cPanel hosts)
- Cloudflare: Free plan includes SSL for any site
- Website builders: Squarespace, Wix, etc. include SSL automatically
- Let's Encrypt: Free, requires setup on your server (Certbot)
Bottom Line
Every website needs SSL. It's free. There's no excuse not to have it in 2025.
If your host doesn't provide free SSL, put Cloudflare in front of your site.