What is a SSL Certificate [Beginner’s Guide 2025]

You might be wondering what is a SSL Certificate. Right?
To answer this question, we must first have some basic knowledge so that you don’t get confused and have clear knowledge about SSL certificate.

How websites normally work?

Earlier, websites normally use to work on “http”.
You might have noticed that there is always http:// before your domain name when you browse website in any browser.
HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol.

For example, when you enter a website address in your browser, this actually sends an HTTP command to the Web server directing it to fetch and transmit the requested Web page.
The other main standard that controls how the World Wide Web works is HTML, which covers how Web pages are formatted and displayed.

So, when you enter example.com, the browser actually adds http:// in the beginning to communicate with the website server so that it display website contents.
In browser, your website address becomes http://example.com even when you added only example.com in the URL.

 

What is http and https?

Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure is an extension of the Hypertext Transfer Protocol. It is used for secure communication over a computer network, and is widely used on the Internet. In HTTPS, the communication protocol is encrypted using Transport Layer Security or, formerly, its predecessor, Secure Sockets Layer.

In simple words, you can define http and https as:
http:// is Non-Secured protocol
https:// is Secured protocol

In simple words, ‘s’ in the end of ‘https‘ stands for “Secure”

To understand more clearly, let me show you an example.

In the below screenshot, you can see that its showing as “Not secure” which means that this website is not providing a ‘secure’ connection between your browser and website.

You can see a ‘padlock’ which means that this website is “Secure” and is providing a ‘Secure’ connection between your browser and website.

 

What is a SSL Certificate

SSL Certificates are small data files that digitally bind a cryptographic key to an organization’s details. When SSL is installed on a website, it will show you you a “padlock” and it provide secure connections from a web server to a browser. SSL is used to secure credit card transactions, data transfer and logins, and more.
Having a SSL certificate installed on your website in the year 2020 is must to make your visitors and search engines like “Google” trust your website.

Advantages of SSL Certificate

1. Provide a secure connection between website and visitor
2. Increases your Ranking
3. Increases your website authenticity and builds/enhances customer trust
4. Improves conversion rates

Conclusion

There is no cons in having a SSL installed on your website and there is only pros when you have SSL installed.
We recommend installing SSL in your website as it is now ‘must’ to have an SSL installed on your website.

Feel free to share your questions in the comment section.