What is the difference between a dedicated SSL certificate and an lets encrypt SSL

7 min readNov 20, 2023

Many more companies than ever before are now conducting their operations in the digital realm. A great number of people only conduct business in this particular location. There is a consistent exchange of confidential information, including client contact information and banking details. When you make a purchase online, you should give some thought to the information that this provides.

Security is more critical than it has ever been, and customers are demanding it here and now. A breach of data can do irreparable harm to the reputation of a company. Concurrently, hackers are exerting a great deal of effort in order to discover methods by which they might steal data and profit from it. At the same time, an increasing number of employees are working from home, and vital business information is being communicated through electronic mail.

Exactly what is the purpose of an SSL Certificate?

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificates are digital certificates that verify the identity of a website and make it possible to establish an encrypted connection. The acronym SSL refers to the Secure Sockets Layer protocol, which is a security protocol that functions to establish an encrypted connection between a web server and a web browser. Once it has been installed, all of the data is encrypted, and the only person who can access it is the person who is supposed to receive it. A safety accreditation is a certification that is given to websites in order to demonstrate to their users that the website is safe and that any information that is provided will be kept confidential.

SSL certification offers protection against the activities of hackers and other perpetrators of cybercrime. In a web browser, the presence of a padlock icon next to the URL indicates that the website being accessed is SSL-protected.

Applications for Secure Sockets Layer Certificates

Why is it necessary to have SSL certificates?

A secure socket layer (SSL) certificate is something that you will most likely need if you have a website in the present day. Thus, what is the purpose of SSL? From a fundamental standpoint, it is utilized to guarantee the safe treatment of info.

As a result of Google’s efforts to demand that all websites have SSL certificates, there has been a huge increase in the amount of interest in SSL certificates since 2018. At this point in time, it is possible that you will come across websites that do not have SSL certificates being labeled as not secure. If your website displays a notification that reads “Not secure,” it is likely to cause consumers to feel uneasy and may prompt them to hunt for an alternative.

What is the significance of SSL for online business?

A large quantity of information about the customer, including their name, delivery address, chosen method of payment, and credit card details, is provided by customers who shop at an online store. If you are operating an online store, you are obligated to protect the data that you collect. In a similar manner, you may make use of SSL certificates to guarantee that the login information of users is protected, thereby preventing profiles from being accessed or passwords from being hacked.

It is also possible to employ SSL certificates to improve a website’s ranking in search engines. The websites that can demonstrate that they are using SSL security are given a favor by Google when it comes to ranking.

The data is protected by SSL certificates. Moreover, they instill confidence in your users, improve the efficiency of your search engine optimization, increase the speed of your website, and assist websites in meeting the essential requirements set by regulatory organizations.

Can you explain what dedicated SSL certificates are?

A private SSL certificate is another name that is occasionally used to refer to a specialized SSL certificate. All of the advantages that SSL certificates offer are also included.

It is possible to obtain a specialized SSL certificate for a certain domain name, and this certificate will only function with that particular domain. Furthermore, it is installed on the server that is home to the website for the domain. The name of the host provider will not be displayed to users; just your domain name will be displayed.

Two distinct categories of dedicated certificates are as follows:

single domain only

a wild card

There is a difference between the wildcard and the single-domain dedicated certificate. The wildcard can be used on the domain as well as any sub-domains that are associated with it.

It is advantageous to make use of a dedicated SSL certificate.

If you are interested in boosting your brand, a dedicated certificate is a good option to consider. You are responsible for configuring it on your website, whereas shared SSL certificates are configured on the domain of a hosting server. This might potentially lessen their influence in terms of the authority of the site. There is a comparison that can be made between utilizing Gmail as opposed to your own personal email address.

When you use dedicated SSL certificates, the data that is transferred between your web browser and the web server is protected from unauthorized access and is completely safe. Because of its encrypted design, any outsider or third party (hackers) that attempts to acquire access without your consent will be unsuccessful. In this way, not only does this offer you security, but it also gives the people who use your website trust.

However, a traditional or shared SSL certificate might need to be renewed every three months, but a dedicated SSL certificate can be established for up to a year. This is still another advantage of using a dedicated SSL certificate.

Does it make sense to invest in a Dedicated SSL Certificate for your website?

When it comes down to it, you need to consider both the benefits and the drawbacks of using SSL. More money is required to purchase a specialized SSL certificate. But it is less difficult to keep up with. Dedicated SSL certificates can be established for extended periods of time through the use of contracts by users. Comparatively, a shared SSL certificate will need to be renewed more frequently than a private one.

A shared SSL certificate is appealing to a lot of individuals because of the immediate ease it provides and the low cost it comes with. In the event that you do not do a significant amount of business and are content with the web host that you use for your e-commerce website, it may be acceptable to merely obtain a shared SSL certificate. This is also the case if you are concerned about the amount of time you will spend securing the SSL certificate or if you want everything to be handled for you.

If, on the other hand, you want to expand your business into something that is visible to a large number of people and generates considerable sales earnings, then it can be worthwhile to invest the additional money and acquire an SSL certificate.

Moreover, it is evident that an increasing number of individuals, both users and proprietors of websites, are becoming conscious of the need to ensure the safety of the online area. It is possible for a customized SSL certificate to give both parties the assurance that the protection of their data is being taken seriously.

Email servers can also be configured to use an SSL service, which encrypts all of the information contained within emails, including the addressee information, the text of the email, and any attachments that may be attached. The importance of this kind of protection is compounded by the fact that an increasing number of people are conducting their economic activities online. There is a high probability that an SSL certificate for email has been implemented for every company that includes a ‘confidentiality’ message at the bottom of their emails.

Then, what exactly is Let’s Encrypt?

Let’s Encrypt is a certificate authority that is open, automated, and free to use. It is owned and operated by the Internet Security Research Group (ISRG), which is a non-profit organization.

Auto-renewal is enabled to ensure that a website will not be left without HTTPS, despite the fact that Let’s Encrypt certificates are only valid for a period of ninety days (premium SSL Certificates often expire after one or two years).

Conclusion:

Finally, while deciding between a dedicated SSL certificate and Let’s Encrypt SSL, it’s critical to examine your individual objectives and budget. It may be the best option for you if you require a higher level of security and have the resources to invest in a dedicated SSL certificate. This sort of certificate provides a higher level of trust and can include features such as extended validity and a longer guarantee.

Let’s Encrypt SSL, on the other hand, is a great choice if you want a more cost-effective option without sacrificing security. It provides free SSL certificates that are recognized by major browsers and provide your website with a secure connection.

Finally, all alternatives provide secure encryption for your website, but the choice is dependent on your specific circumstances. Whether you use a customized SSL certificate or Let’s Encrypt SSL, you can ensure that your website is secure and that the information of your visitors is kept private.

Remember to renew your SSL certificate on a regular basis and to stay up to date on best practices in website security to ensure your users have a safe browsing experience.