Free SSL: why the padlock in the browser matters

The padlock next to your website address looks like a small detail. In reality it decides whether visitors trust you with their name, email or card details. Let's see what it means and how to get it for free.

What SSL actually does

An SSL (more precisely, TLS) certificate encrypts the connection between your visitor's browser and your server. Without it, passwords and form data travel in plain text and can be read by anyone on the same public Wi-Fi. With it, the address starts with https:// and the padlock appears.

Why it matters for your business

• Trust: Chrome, Firefox and Safari label sites without SSL as "Not secure". Many visitors leave immediately.
• Google: HTTPS is a ranking factor. A site without SSL loses positions.
• Payments: payment processors (Stripe, PayPal) require HTTPS.
• Law: GDPR requires protecting personal data, and encryption is the bare minimum.

Free vs. paid

Free certificates (Let's Encrypt) provide the same encryption as paid ones. Expensive certificates add company verification (shown in the certificate details) and an insurance warranty. For 99% of websites, the free certificate is the right choice.

How to check you have SSL

1. Open your site and look left of the address: you should see the padlock.
2. Type the address with http:// — it should automatically move you to https://.
3. Click the padlock → "Connection is secure" → check the expiry date.

I have SSL but still see "Not secure". Why?

Most often it is mixed content: the page is on https, but an image, font or script loads over http. Fixes:

• in WordPress, change the site address to https:// under Settings → General;
• search the database for old http:// links and replace them (there are plugins that do this safely);
• turn on the automatic HTTPS redirect in your panel.

With us, SSL is free for every domain and subdomain, installed automatically and renewed 30 days before it expires.

Still seeing "Not secure" on your site? Write to us and we'll check it together.