Google has prioritized HTTPS sites in its search rankings, which means that your site gets a better chance of a higher place in the listings if you have an SSL certificate installed. Additionally Google now flags sites that do not have SSL as “providing no data security”. This is only in their browser, Chrome, which has at least 20% of the market (2nd to IE), but other browsers are likely to follow suit.

Given that information I recommend all of my customers implement SSL certificates. This is not mandatory and your site will continue to work without it, but you will be doing yourself a favor if you do take it on. If you have an eCommerce site where people log in to pay for something then SSL should be considered a must! Their payment information is safe if you use Paypal, but SSL makes the rest of your login process secure and gives your customers peace of mind.

There is a free option called SNI. This will work for the majority of all newer browsers. However, there are some older ones that may have issues (Wikipedia Article). To get the most coverage available the RapidSSL certificate will be fine. You can start with SNI and change to a paid certificate if your users have issues.

Prices below include static IP, installation and any maintenance necessary.

RapidSSL $83 ($147 = 2y, $206 = 3y, $260 = 4y)

  • Fast issuance and easy install
  • 99+% browser support
  • Up to 256-bit SSL encryption
  • Free reissues
  • $10,000 warranty
  • One domain name only (www.domain.com or domain.com, not both)

GeoTrust QuickSSL $163/pa (Normally $173)

  • Security: domain control validation, up to 256-bit encryption, 2048-bit root
  • Assurance: $500K USD warranty, GeoTrust dynamic True Site Seal trustmark
  • Convenience: issued in minutes, 1-4 year validity options
  • Cost-effective: unlimited server licenses, unlimited free reissues for certificate lifetime
  • Universality: support for more than 99% of browsers and most mobile device browsers
  • Bonus: Secure domain.com for free when you order www.domain.com *

GeoTrust True Business ID $313/pa (Normally $323)

The green bar says it all. If the GeoTrust True BusinessID with EV certificate could talk, it would say “Look at me! You are very secure.” Web site visitors really notice when the address bar turns green in their high-security browsers and the organization field starts to rotate between your business name and GeoTrust.

  • Security: business identity authentication, strong 256-bit encryption, 2048-bit root
  • Assurance: $1.5M USD warranty, GeoTrust dynamic Secured Seal trustmark
  • Convenience: issued in up to 10 days, 1-2 year validity options
  • Cost-effective: unlimited server licenses, unlimited free reissues for certificate lifetime
  • Universality: support for more than 99% of browsers and most mobile device browsers
  • Bonus: secure domain.com for free when you order www.domain.com
  • Multiplicity: UC/SAN / Multi-Domain options available