SSL Certificate: What It Is and Why Your Website Needs One

When you visit a website, you see a small padlock next to the address. This padlock indicates that the connection is encrypted. An SSL certificate makes this possible.

What an SSL Certificate Does

SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer. It encrypts the connection between your visitors' browser and your website. Without SSL, third parties can read the transmitted data. With SSL, this is not possible.

Think of SSL like a sealed envelope. Without SSL, you're sending an open postcard.

Why Your Website Needs SSL

Without an SSL certificate, four things happen that you don't want:

• Browsers like Chrome display a "Not Secure" warning
• Google ranks your site lower in search results
• Visitors lose trust and leave the page
• Contact forms transmit data without encryption

Since 2018, all major browsers warn against websites without SSL. This applies to every website, not just online shops.

How to Check for SSL

Look at your browser's address bar. If it shows https:// (with an S), SSL is active. If it shows only http:// (without the S), the certificate is missing. Most browsers also display a padlock icon.

What SSL Costs

In many cases: nothing. Let's Encrypt offers free SSL certificates. Most good hosting providers set this up automatically. Paid certificates start at about 10 euros per year but offer no additional benefit for standard business websites.

How We Handle It

At Bosnar, SSL is included in every hosting package. We set up the certificate and ensure it renews automatically. You don't have to worry about it.