The padlock in the address bar comes from an SSL certificate. Without it, browsers warn visitors your site is "Not secure". Here is what SSL is and how to get it right.
When you open a website, you will often see a small padlock next to the address. That padlock means the site uses an SSL certificate and loads over HTTPS. Without it, Chrome and other browsers show a "Not secure" warning – which scares visitors away. This guide explains what an SSL certificate does and how to set it up correctly.
An SSL certificate (technically TLS today) does two things:
When SSL is active, your address starts with https:// instead of http://.
Even a simple brochure website with a contact form should use HTTPS.
| Type | Checks | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Domain Validated (DV) | You control the domain | Most business websites, blogs, stores |
| Organisation Validated (OV) | Domain + company details | Companies that want extra verification |
| Extended Validation (EV) | Strict company checks | Banks and large enterprises |
| Wildcard | Covers all subdomains | Sites with many subdomains |
For most small and medium businesses, a free DV certificate (such as Let's Encrypt) is perfectly secure – the encryption is the same strength.
Free certificates usually last 90 days and renew automatically. Paid ones last up to a year. Expired certificates show a full-page warning to visitors, so make sure renewal is automatic and monitored.
Modern HTTPS (with HTTP/2 or HTTP/3) is not slower – it is often faster than plain HTTP. Combine SSL with the tips in our website speed guide for the best results.
Yes. Free certificates such as Let's Encrypt use the same strong encryption as paid ones. Paid certificates add extra company validation or warranties, which most small businesses do not need.
HTTPS is a confirmed, light ranking signal, and Chrome warns visitors about sites without it. More importantly, it builds trust, which affects whether visitors stay and contact you.
Open your site with https:// and look for the padlock in the address bar. Click it to see who issued the certificate and when it expires. Also check that http:// redirects to https:// automatically.
Your certificate must cover every name you use – yourbrand.in and www.yourbrand.in. Most hosting panels include both automatically, but check if you see a name mismatch warning.
An SSL certificate encrypts your visitors' data, removes browser warnings, supports online payments and helps your Google ranking. Use HTTPS on every page, redirect http to https and make sure renewal is automatic.
All websites on our web hosting can run on HTTPS with SSL managed from the control panel. Ask us if you need help moving your site to HTTPS.
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