Is a Paid SSL Certificate Better Than a Free One? What Should Be Considered When Installing an SSL Certificate?

In our previous article, Arachne Group Limited briefly introduced ‘the impact of installing an SSL certificate on SEO’. However, many readers still have questions regarding SSL certificates—particularly the differences between free and paid options.

Don’t worry! In this section, we’ll delve deeper into various aspects of SSL certificate installation to help you effectively address website security concerns.

What Types of SSL Certificates Are Commonly Available?

SSL/TLS certificates can be categorized based on encryption capability, application scope, and security level.Generally, higher-security certificates are more challenging to obtain. For example:

●  By domain coverage:

Single-domain, Wildcard (universal), and Multi-domain certificates.



●  By validation level:

Domain Validated (DV), Organization Validated (OV), and Extended Validation (EV) certificates.

Free SSL Certificate vs. Paid SSL Certificate: Which Is Better?

Many clients ask: “Since free TLS certificates are widely available online, can I simply use one of those?”

We understand the dilemma—especially in today’s competitive market where businesses seek to allocate resources efficiently and reduce costs.

For most small or personal websites, a free SSL certificate can provide basic security. However, for e-commerce, financial, government, or other YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) websites that handle sensitive personal or financial data, a paid SSL certificate with stronger security features is highly recommended.

Below is a comparison between free and paid SSL certificates:



Regardless of which type of TLS/SSL certificate you choose, it is essential to select a professional and trustworthy service provider to ensure reliable ongoing website operation. (To learn more about deploying SSL certificates in complex enterprise environments, feel free to contact our customer service team!)

What Should Be Done After Installing an SSL Certificate?

Installing a TLS certificate is not the end of the process. To ensure ongoing security and operational effectiveness, the following steps should be taken:

1.  301 Redirect

After installing the TLS certificate, all HTTP URLs must be permanently redirected to their HTTPS counterparts (e.g., http://www.example.com → https://www.example.com).

Important: Use 301 redirects (not 302 or JavaScript redirects) on a page-by-page basis. Different search engines interpret redirects differently—for example, Yahoo only recognizes 301 redirects. A 301 redirect clearly informs search engines that your site has permanently moved from HTTP to HTTPS.

Tool recommendation: Use Redirect Path (a Chrome extension) to verify proper 301 redirect implementation.

2.  Check and Fix Mixed Content

Mixed content occurs when HTTPS pages contain HTTP resources (e.g., images, scripts, CSS files). This can trigger browser security warnings and undermine user trust. After setting up 301 redirects, audit all website content and update URLs to ensure consistency with the HTTPS version.

3.  Update Sitemap and Search Console

Ensure that all URLs in your sitemap are updated to HTTPS. This helps search engines accurately crawl and index your site structure.

Additionally, if you use Google Search Console (or other webmaster tools), add a new HTTPS property. Search engines treat HTTP and HTTPS versions as separate sites.

4. Optimize Website Performance

TLS encryption may require additional server and client resources. To maintain smooth access for both users and search engine crawlers, consider the following optimizations:

Enable HTTP/2: This protocol supports multiplexing, header compression, and pipelining, reducing latency and improving page load speed.

Use a CDN: A Content Delivery Network caches resources on edge servers globally, reducing origin server load and improving content delivery speed.

Optimize media and documents: Compress images and files to reduce data transfer volume during encryption/decryption.

5. Monitor Server Logs

Regularly monitor website security and performance using security scanning tools. Check server and log files frequently to identify and address potential vulnerabilities or issues.

6. Ensure Certificate Compliance

As cybersecurity threats evolve, search algorithms and TLS encryption standards continue to advance. Stay updated on mainstream certificate requirements to ensure maximum protection.

For paid TLS certificates, subscribe to Certificate Authority (CA) notifications to receive timely updates on renewals, revocations, or other critical information.

While installing a TLS certificate significantly enhances website security and user trust, it is only the first step. Comprehensive post-installation configuration is essential to ensure full protection and a seamless user experience.