Purchasing an SSL certificate: costs & considerations

Digital certificates support modern website security by verifying identity and protecting communication between servers and browsers. They signal that a site is authenticated and that data is transmitted securely.

While their benefits are clear, the process of purchasing an SSL certificate can feel complex. From coverage and validation to certificate signing requests (CSRs), there is a lot to consider and understand. Cost is also a factore and while the ROI of secure connections can be difficult to quantify, SSL certificates are a worthwhile investment for website owners.

We break down the steps to purchase and install an SSL certificate, along with what to expect in terms of pricing.

What is an SSL certificate?

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificates, the common name for Transport Layer Security (TLS) certificates, are digital credentials that authenticate a website's identity and enable HTTPS, securing data exchange between servers and browsers. As an encryption-based security protocol, TLS relies on 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.

Certificate options 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 confirm that the domain is controlled by the entity that requests the SSL certificate.
• Organization validation (OV) confirms the same details but takes it a step further by authenticating the business identity and legitimacy.
• Extended validation (EV) certificates require a more rigorous vetting process where more organization details must be provided. This is the industry standard for safeguarding eCommerce websites and other sites handling sensitive data.

Another factor to understand is thetype of coverage needed.

• Single domain SSL certificates cover one domain, supporting both www and non-www versions.
• Wildcard SSL certificates secure both a main domain and its subdomains.
• Multi-domain SSL certificates, also known as Subject Alternative Names (SAN), cover multiple domains and their subdomains.

How much does an SSL certificate cost?

SSL certificate costs typically range from around $100 per year for basic DV certificates to several hundred dollars for OV and EV options.

Cost depends largely on the type of certificates required you choose and the validation level. It’s important to choose a provider that is transparent about pricing.

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 cost breakdown below:

• Single Domain DV: $110
• Single Domain OV: $230
• Single Domain EV: $322
• Multi-Domain DV: $308
• Multi-Domain OV: $575
• Multi-Domain EV: $748
• Wildcard DV: $575
• Wildcard OV: $924

Some places promote free SSL certificates, however there are hidden costs and limitations 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. Sectigo offers tiered discounts when you purchase multi-year subscriptions for your SSL certificates.

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: 

• Choose a reputable certificate authority: The first and most important step is selecting a trustworthy CA. This third-party organization holds an important responsibility: checking credentials and validating digital certificate requests. CAs play a crucial role in building and maintaining trust throughout the web, so take time to research. Look at the available levels of validation, what they offer for customer support, years of experience, and if they offer automated certificate lifecycle management (CLM) solutions.
• Select the SSL certificate type based on needs: 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 time to learn about these options to make sure you purchase the correct type based on your requirements.
• Purchase: Complete the purchase and payment for the certificate through the provider you chose. 
• Verification process and CSR generation: Once purchased, it's time to move forward with the validation process. This involves generating and submitting a certificate signing request (CSR). Be prepared to provide necessary details to prove domain ownership. Requests may include the fully qualified domain name (FQDN), organization name, and address.
• Installation: Following validation, certificate files will be issued and made available for download. These can be extracted, and then, upon logging into the hosting control panel or server, certificate files are uploaded. Your provider should offer customer support to help with the installation process if needed.

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 validity period vas previously 397 days, the phased switch to 47-day lifespans has already started. 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 (CLM), expiration is more likely — especially in light of shorter lifespans. Automated solutions, like Sectigo Certificate Manager, 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.