Securing your website is an important part of running a successful business. Having a secure website helps ensure that your customers’ information stays safe and private. One way to do that is to use SSL certificates for subdomains. SSL certificates help authenticate your website and encrypt communications between your server and your customers’ browsers.
Understanding what SSL certificates are and how they work is key to ensuring that your website is as safe and secure as possible. In this article, we will discuss what an SSL certificate for subdomains is, why it’s important, and how you can use them to secure your website.
What is an SSL Certificate?
SSL stands for “Secure Sockets Layer,” and an SSL Certificate is the digital document that helps secure your website through encryption. A website that uses SSL is said to be “HTTPS” which means it uses SSL to protect and encrypt your website. HTTPS websites use a combination of SSL Certificates and other web security features like firewalls and malware checks to protect against unauthorized access to your website.
All modern browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Safari come with a built-in warning system that alerts visitors if they are visiting a website that is not secure. SSL certificates are issued by Certificate Authorities, which are trusted third-party companies that vet all applicants for SSL certifications.
These companies check to make sure that the SSL certificate applicant is who they say they are, and that they have the right to use that particular domain. SSL certificates are important because they verify your website to customers and help them feel safe while they are browsing your website. SSL certificates also help boost your website’s SEO, which is important to your business’s success.
What is a subdomain?
A subdomain is a part of a domain name that you host on another website. If you own the domain example.com, you can create subdomains like blog.example.com, mail.example.com, or shop.example.com. You can even create subdomains with different top-level domains, such as example.net or example.info. Subdomains are different domains hosted on the same server as the main website. Subdomains function as independent sites, yet still retain the branding of the main domain.
For example, if you have an email marketing business and run the website emailcampaigns.com, you can create subdomains for each of your products or services. You can then link each subdomain to its respective product page to make your website navigation easier for customers.
What is an SSL Certificate for Subdomains?
A Wildcard SSL certificate is one of the special types of SSL certificates that secures a subdomain’s connection to your main domain on multiple servers. Wildcard certificates are normally issued for the root domain of your website, but they can also be issued for subdomains.
For example, if you own example.com and have a login page on the subdomain login.example.com, you can get an SSL certificate for login.example.com. Having an SSL certificate for a subdomain secures the connection between the subdomain and the main domain. If someone types the URL for your login page on a public WiFi network, the login page is still secure and encrypted.
If you only own the root domain example.com, you need to purchase cheap wildcard SSL certificate for subdomains.
Why are SSL Certificates for Subdomains Important?
You can secure a single subdomain with an SSL certificate, such as login.example.com, and protect your customers’ data on that page. This is especially important if you are running an e-commerce website and accepting credit card information. Having an SSL certificate that secures a subdomain is just as important as having one for your main domain.
SSL wildcard certificates are the perfect SSL solution to protect all subdomains easily without spending extra money for multiple SSL for multiple subdomains. Having SSL certificates for your subdomains also helps boost your website’s SEO and makes it easier for customers to find you.
For example, if you have an e-commerce website and sell t-shirts under the domain tshirt-store.com, you can create a subdomain for each of your shirts. You could then create a subdomain for each shirt using the name of the shirt, such as tshirt-store.com/cat-in-the-hat-shirt. Having an SSL certificate for each subdomain makes it easier for customers to find each shirt and protects their information while they are shopping.
How to Install an SSL Certificate for Subdomains
Installing an SSL certificate for subdomains is a three-step process. First, you will purchase an SSL certificate. You can purchase an SSL certificate through a hosting provider, such as GoDaddy or Bluehost, or through a certificate authority, such as RapidSSL or Comodis. Next, you will install the SSL certificate for subdomains on your website.
There are two ways to do this — you can install the certificate manually or use an automated installation process. If you choose to install the certificate manually, you will need to log into your website and then follow the steps outlined by your SSL provider. If you prefer an automated installation process, you can install the certificate as part of your website’s hosting account. The last step is to redirect your root domain to the subdomain by adding an A record to your DNS settings. This redirects all traffic from the root domain to the subdomain.
Benefits of Installing an SSL Certificate for Subdomains
Having SSL certificates for subdomains gives your customers a visual cue that they are on a secure page. It also lets them know that your website is trustworthy and legitimate. Having HTTPS on your site is also a signal to Google that you’re deploying best practices and prioritizing security. If your subdomain has an SSL certificate, Google will recognize this as a signal of trust and rank you higher on search engine result pages. SSL certificates also help you avoid common mistakes.
Having HTTPS on your site is not enough — you also need to make sure that you have the right certificate type and that you’re configuring it correctly. SSL certificates come in different types, such as standard, extended validation, or wildcard. Choosing the wrong one for your website could impair its functionality and even lead to your site being shut down.
What to Look for in an SSL Certificate for Subdomains
When you purchase an SSL certificate for subdomains, make sure to choose the right type of certificate for your website. You also need to make sure that the SSL provider is legitimate and has a good track record. You can do this by reading reviews and checking the company’s website.
You can also use SSL labs to see how the company rates on a scale of A to F. The highest grade you can get is an “A”, but you should look for a “B” or above. You can also use SSL labs to see how well your website is secured. Before you purchase an SSL certificate for subdomains, also make sure that you have the right domain name.
You will also have to provide some documentation proving that you own the domain name and that you have the right to use the subdomain you are securing.
New Blog post:- Essential Things to Consider When Hiring a Video Transfer Service
Conclusion
An SSL certificate for subdomains is an important part of securing your website. It secures a subdomain’s connection to your main domain and helps protect your customers’ data. SSL certificates for subdomains are also important for SEO and make it easier for customers to find your website.
To install an SSL certificate for subdomains, you will need to purchase one, install it on your website, and redirect all traffic from the root domain to the subdomain. Make sure to choose the right type of certificate for your website and look for a provider with a good track record and high SSL lab score.