If you have a website without an SSL certificate, your business is losing trust and customers every day. Google Chrome displays a "Not Secure" warning for all HTTP sites, and Google penalizes such sites in search results.
An SSL certificate is no longer an option - it's an absolute necessity for any serious business. According to statistics, 84% of users leave a site if they see a security warning.
In this detailed guide, you'll learn everything you need to know about SSL certificates - what they are, why they're critical for your business, how to choose the right type, and how to deploy them correctly. After reading, you'll be able to make an informed decision and protect your website professionally.
What is SSL Certificate and How It Works
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is an encryption technology that creates a secure connection between the user's browser and your web server. All data that is transmitted between the two parties is encrypted and made unreadable to outsiders.
When a visitor accesses an SSL-secured site, the browser and server "figure out" how to encrypt the communication. This happens in seconds, without the user noticing anything but the green box in the address bar.
Technically, an SSL certificate contains:
- Public cryptographic encryption key
- Site Identity Information
- Signature by a trusted certifying authority
- Validity period
For ordinary users, the important thing is that SSL ensures that their data (passwords, personal data, bank cards) cannot be intercepted by hackers.
Why SSL Certificate is Mandatory in 2025
The need for an SSL certificate is driven by several critical factors:
Data security: Every day, millions of personal data are compromised due to lack of encryption. SSL protects your customers' information from theft.
Google penalizes HTTP sites: As of 2018, Google marks all HTTP sites as "insecure". This reduces trust and search rankings.
Data Protection Act: GDPR requires appropriate technical measures to protect personal data. SSL is an essential such measure.
Consumer Trust: Bulgarian consumers are becoming more careful with online security. The lack of an SSL certificate is perceived as a sign of unreliability.
Banking requirements: If you accept online payments, banks and payment systems require SSL protection.
Types of SSL Certificates - Which is Right for You
There are three main types of SSL certificates, each suitable for different needs:
Domain Validated (DV) - Basic Validation The most basic and inexpensive type of certificate. Validates domain ownership only.
Suitable for: personal blogs, small information sites, start-up businesses Price: free up to 50 BGN/year Time to issue: minutes to hours
Organization Validated (OV) - Organizational Validation Validates both the domain and the existence of the organization.
Suitable for: corporate websites, larger businesses, websites with data forms Price: 100-300 BGN/year
Release time: 1-3 days
Extended Validation (EV) The highest level of validation. Displays the company name in a green bar in the browser.
Suitable for: banks, online stores, financial institutions Price: 500-1500 BGN/year Time for issue: 7-10 days
For most small and medium-sized businesses in Bulgaria the DV certificate is quite sufficient.
How to Choose an SSL Certificate Provider
Choosing the right provider is important for the security and reliability of your website.
Free options: Let's Encrypt offers free DV certificates with a 3-month validity. Suitable for small sites on a budget.
Paid suppliers:
- Comodo/Sectigo - good value for money
- DigiCert - premium option with excellent support
- GeoTrust - medium price category
- RapidSSL - budget choice with good features
When choosing, pay attention to:
- Cross-browser compatibility (99.9% minimum)
- Technical support in Bulgarian
- Ability to automatically update
- Warranty against damage in case of compromise
Step by Step: How to Install SSL Certificate
The installation process varies depending on the hosting provider, but the basic steps are the same:
Step 1: Generate CSR (Certificate Signing Request) This is a query that contains information about your domain and organization. Most hosting panels have an automated process.
Step 2: Domain Validation For DV certificates, you need to prove that you control the domain via email or DNS record.
Step 3: Obtaining the certificate After successful validation, you will receive the certificate files by email.
Step 4: Install the server Upload the files to the hosting panel or send them to the technical team.
Step 5: Testing Check that the site loads correctly with HTTPS and has a green checkmark.
Step 6: Redirect Set up automatic redirection from HTTP to HTTPS.
Common Problems and How to Solve Them
Mixed Content Errors: Occurs when an HTTPS page loads HTTP resources. Solution.
Slow loading after SSL: Rare, but possible. Verify that the certificate is properly configured and does not use obsolete protocols.
Warnings for non-compliance: Occurs when a domain name is entered incorrectly in the certificate. Need reissue.
Problems with mobile devices: Old phones may not support new SSL protocols. Configure the server to support a wider spectrum.
SSL Certificate Maintenance and Renewal
SSL certificates have a limited validity period - usually 1 year for paid and 3 months for free.
Automatic update: Most modern hosting services offer automatic updates. This is the safest approach.
Manual update: Requires monitoring of the deadline and timely action. Set a reminder 30 days before expiration.
Monitoring: Use tools to monitor SSL status. Some free options are SSL Labs and SSL Shopper.
When the certificate expires, the site will display security warnings, which drives visitors away and hurts business.
SSL and SEO - How It Affects Rankings
Google officially announced SSL as a ranking factor back in 2014. HTTPS sites get a slight edge in search results.
Additional SEO benefits:
- Better user experience (no warnings)
- Higher confidence from visitors
- More accurate analytics (HTTPS to HTTPS reference is not lost)
- Support for HTTP/2 protocol (faster loading)
When switching to HTTPS it is important to:
- Set up correct 301 redirects
- Update XML sitemap
- Notify Google Search Console
- Check all internal links
Free SSL Verification Tools
SSL Labs SSL Test: The most detailed analysis of the SSL configuration. Shows an A to F grade and specific recommendations.
WhyNoPadlock: Helps find mixed content issues on HTTPS pages.
SSL Shopper SSL Checker: Quick check of basic SSL parameters.
Google Chrome DevTools: The Security section displays the SSL connection details.
SSL Certificate Checker: Verifies the validity period and basic data.
Regular inspections help find problems before they affect visitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an SSL certificate cost in Bulgaria? The free ones (Let's Encrypt) cost nothing. Paid ones range from 50 BGN to 1500 BGN per year depending on the type and provider. For most businesses 100-200 BGN per year is enough.
Can I install an SSL certificate myself? For basic hosting services with cPanel - yes, the process is relatively easy. For more complex configurations, technical assistance is recommended.
What happens if the SSL certificate expires? Browsers display security warnings, which scares visitors. Search engines can lower a site's ranking.
Do I need a different SSL for each subdomain? Not necessarily. Wildcard SSL certificates cover all subdomains of a domain.
How do I know if my site has SSL? Look at the browser address bar. HTTPS and a green check mark indicate active SSL. HTTP or warnings mean no protection.
Is SSL slowing down the site? Modern SSL certificates have virtually no impact on speed. HTTP/2 can even speed up loading.
Is SSL required for a site without forms and payments? Yes, Google marks all HTTP sites as insecure. SSL is the standard for all types of sites.
Can I move my SSL certificate to a new hosting? Yes, but you need to export and import the files correctly. It is easier to issue a new certificate.
Conclusion
An SSL certificate is a basic necessity for any website in 2025. Not only does it protect your visitors' data, but it also improves your credibility, SEO rankings and overall impression of your business.
Although the technical details may seem complicated, modern hosting services and tools make deployment relatively easy. Most importantly, don't procrastinate - any day without SSL is a day of lost opportunities.
If you need help selecting and deploying an SSL certificate, our team offers full technical support as part of your monthly subscription. Contact us for a free consultation and take care of your website security today!