You have probably seen that little padlock in your browser. It shows that a website is secure. This is what an SSL certificate does for your site.
Without SSL, your visitors see scary warnings. Google also ranks your site lower. You lose trust and traffic at the same time.
The Big Secret About Free SSL Certificates
Here is what we want you to know at Truehost. Most hosting companies charge you extra for SSL certificates. They make it seem complicated and expensive.
But free SSL certificates exist and work just as well. We are going to show you exactly how to get them.
What Is Let’s Encrypt?
Let’s Encrypt changed everything in 2016. It is a free certificate authority that anyone can use. Major tech companies support it.
The certificates are trusted by all browsers. They work exactly like paid ones. Your visitors will never know the difference.
How Free SSL Certificates Actually Work
SSL certificates encrypt data between your site and visitors. This keeps passwords and credit card info safe. Hackers cannot steal this encrypted information.
Free SSL certificates use the same encryption as paid ones. The only difference is the price tag. Both protect your website equally well.
The Simple 3-Step Process
1)Step One: Check Your Control Panel
Log into your hosting control panel. Look for SSL or security options. Most modern hosts include Let’s Encrypt already.
At Truehost, we have made this super easy. You will find the SSL option right in your dashboard. No technical knowledge required.
2)Step Two: Select Your Domain
Click on the SSL management section. You will see a list of your domains. Choose which website needs protection.
You can install free SSL certificates on multiple domains. We let you secure all your sites at once.
3)Step Three: Click Install
Hit the install button and wait. The system does everything automatically. Your certificate activates in just a few minutes.
That is it. Your site now has the padlock icon. Visitors see that your website is secure and trustworthy.
Why Hosts Hide This Feature
Some companies make more money selling SSL certificates. They charge between $50 to $200 per year. This adds up fast if you have multiple websites.
We believe in transparency at Truehost. Your website security should not cost extra. That is why we include free SSL certificates with every plan.
The Auto-Renewal Advantage
Paid certificates often require manual renewal. You get emails and reminders every year. Forget to renew and your site shows errors.
Let’s Encrypt certificates renew automatically. The system checks and updates them every 90 days. You never have to worry about expiration.
Common Myths About Free SSL
i)Myth One: Free Means Less Secure
This is completely false. Free SSL certificates use the same 256-bit encryption. Security experts confirm they are equally safe.
The certificate authority matters more than the price. Let’s Encrypt is trusted worldwide by major organizations.
ii)Myth Two: Installation Is Too Technical
Many people think you need coding skills. This used to be true years ago. Modern hosting panels make it point-and-click simple.
We have designed our interface for beginners. If you can check your email, you can install SSL.
iii)Myth Three: Free Certificates Look Different
Your visitors cannot tell if your certificate was free or paid. The padlock looks identical in every browser. The security level is exactly the same.
When You Might Consider Paid SSL
Extended validation certificates show your company name in green. Large e-commerce sites sometimes use these. They cost more but offer extra brand visibility.
For most websites, free SSL certificates are perfect. Blogs, small businesses, and portfolios all work great with Let’s Encrypt. You get full protection without spending a cent.
How To Check If SSL Is Working
Visit your website using https:// instead of http://. You should see the padlock icon appear. Click it to view certificate details.
Your browser will show the certificate issuer and expiration date. Everything should look green and secure. No warnings or errors should appear.
Forcing HTTPS On Your Site
Having SSL is not enough. You need to redirect all traffic to the secure version. This ensures every visitor uses encryption.
At Truehost, we provide one-click HTTPS forcing. You can also add this code to your .htaccess file manually. Both methods work perfectly fine.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Mixed Content Warnings
Sometimes images or scripts load from http:// URLs. This creates mixed content errors. Update all links to use https:// instead.
Check your website code and database. Replace old URLs with secure ones. Most CMS platforms have plugins for this task.
Certificate Not Recognized
Clear your browser cache and cookies. Sometimes old data causes display issues. Restart your browser and try again.
If problems continue, contact your hosting support. We are always ready to help at Truehost.
Mobile Devices And SSL
Smartphones are picky about security certificates. Older Android phones sometimes have issues with certain certificates. Let’s Encrypt works perfectly on all modern devices.
Your mobile visitors get the same protection. The padlock shows up on phones and tablets. Everyone stays safe regardless of device.
SEO Benefits You Cannot Ignore
Google announced HTTPS as a ranking signal back in 2014. Secure sites get preference in search results. Your competitors with SSL will outrank you.
Using free SSL certificates gives you this advantage at no cost. You boost rankings while protecting visitors. It is a win-win situation.
Learn more about how SSL affects SEO rankings.
The Speed Factor
Modern SSL certificates do not slow down websites. In fact, they enable HTTP/2 protocol. This makes your pages load faster than before.
We optimize all free SSL certificates for maximum performance. Your site stays quick while remaining secure.
Wildcard Certificates Explained
A wildcard certificate covers all subdomains automatically. You can secure blog.yoursite.com and shop.yoursite.com together. This is super convenient for complex websites.
Let’s Encrypt offers free wildcard certificates too. We can help you set these up at Truehost. Just ask our support team for assistance.
Multi-Domain Options
Need to secure several different domains? Multi-domain certificates cover up to 100 websites. You manage everything from one certificate.
This works great if you run multiple businesses. Free SSL certificates support multi-domain setups completely free.
Why We Include SSL Free
At Truehost, we include free SSL certificates in every hosting plan. You do not pay setup fees or monthly charges. Security should be a standard feature, not an expensive add-on.
We handle installation, renewal, and management automatically. You focus on building your website. We take care of keeping it secure.
Check out our hosting plans here.
Start Using Free SSL Today
Stop paying for something you can get free. Your website deserves proper security without breaking the bank. Free SSL certificates give you everything paid options offer.
The setup takes less than five minutes. Your site will be more secure, trustworthy, and search-friendly. Visitors will feel confident sharing information with you.
Take Action Now
Ready to secure your website? Sign up with Truehost and get instant access to free SSL certificates. We will help you every step of the way.
Our support team is available 24/7 for any questions. We make website security simple and affordable. Join thousands of site owners who trust us with their security.
Get started with Truehost today and protect your website in minutes. Your visitors will thank you for it.
