What are SSL certificates and why do you need them?
SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer, and it is a protocol that encrypts the data that is exchanged between your website and your visitors. SSL certificates are digital certificates that verify the identity of your website and ensure that your visitors are connecting to the right site.
SSL certificates are important for several reasons:
- They protect your website from hackers and cyberattacks by encrypting the data that is transmitted between your site and your visitors. This prevents anyone from intercepting or tampering with the information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or personal details.
- They boost your website’s ranking on search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo. Search engines favor websites that have SSL certificates because they are more secure and reliable. Having an SSL certificate can help you rank higher on search results and attract more organic traffic to your site.
- They increase your website’s credibility and trustworthiness among your visitors. When your visitors see a padlock icon or a green bar on their browser’s address bar, they know that your website is secure and authentic. This can make them more confident to browse your site, sign up for your newsletter, make a purchase, or contact you.
How to get an SSL certificate for your website?
There are two ways to get an SSL certificate for your website:
- You can buy one from a third-party provider, such as GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Comodo. This option usually costs money and requires some technical knowledge to install and manage the certificate on your site.
- You can use a website builder that offers free SSL certificates as part of their service. This option is more convenient and cost-effective, as you don’t have to pay extra or deal with any technical hassles. The website builder will automatically generate and renew the certificate for you and apply it to your site.
Which website builders offer free SSL certificates?
There are many website builders that offer free SSL certificates, but not all of them are created equal. Some of them may have limitations or drawbacks that can affect your website’s performance or functionality. To help you choose the best one for your needs, we have compiled a list of the best website builders with free SSL certificates. We have compared and contrasted their features and benefits, as well as their pros and cons.
Wix
Wix is one of the most popular and user-friendly website builders on the market. It allows you to create stunning websites with drag-and-drop functionality and hundreds of templates to choose from. You can also customize your site with advanced features like animations, video backgrounds, online store, blog, booking system, and more.
Wix offers free SSL certificates for all its plans, including the free plan. You don’t have to do anything to activate the certificate, as Wix will automatically apply it to your site once you publish it. You can also check the status of your certificate on your Wix dashboard.
Pros:
- Easy to use and flexible
- Free plan available
- Hundreds of templates and features
- 24/7 customer support
Cons:
- Free plan has ads and limited storage
- Cannot change template once selected
- May load slower than other builders
Squarespace
Squarespace is another popular and elegant website builder that lets you create professional-looking websites with minimal effort. It offers beautiful templates that are responsive and optimized for mobile devices. You can also add functionality to your site with features like online store, blog, portfolio, email marketing, analytics, and more.
Squarespace offers free SSL certificates for all its plans, including the personal plan. You can enable the certificate on your Squarespace dashboard by toggling on the “Secure (SSL)” option under “Security & SSL”. Squarespace will then automatically generate and renew the certificate for you.
Pros:
- Sleek and stylish templates
- Responsive and mobile-friendly
- 14-day free trial available
- 24/7 customer support
Cons:
- No free plan available
- More expensive than other builders
- Less customization options than other builders
Webfity
Webfity is a new and innovative website builder that aims to make web design easy and fun for everyone. It offers a unique drag-and-drop functionality that lets you create websites by simply dragging elements from a library and dropping them on your canvas. You can also edit and customize your site with features like colors, fonts, images, icons, animations, and more.
Webfity offers free SSL certificates for all its plans, including the starter plan. You don’t have to do anything to activate the certificate, as Webfity will automatically apply it to your site once you publish it. You can also check the status of your certificate on your Webfity dashboard.
Pros:
- Simple and intuitive drag-and-drop functionality
- Free plan available
- Unlimited storage and bandwidth
- 24/7 customer support
Cons:
- Limited number of templates
- No online store or blog features
- Still in beta stage
Conclusion
Having an SSL certificate is essential for any website that wants to be secure, trustworthy, and SEO-friendly. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend money or time to get one, as there are many website builders that offer free SSL certificates as part of their service.
In this article, we have compared and contrasted the best website builders with free SSL certificates: Wix, Squarespace, and Webfity. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages, so you should choose the one that suits your needs and preferences the best.
If you want to learn more about website builders and how to create a website with drag-and-drop functionality, you can check out these articles:
- The Best Drag-and-Drop Website Builders for Small Businesses
- How to Create a Website with Drag-and-Drop Functionality
- Tips for Creating a Great Website with Drag-and-Drop Functionality
- How to Use Drag-and-Drop Functionality to Create a Professional Website
We hope you found this article helpful and informative. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to leave a comment below. Happy website building!