How can you ensure your website's SSL certificate is up-to-date and functioning properly?

1 Check your certificate's expiration date

One of the most common reasons why your SSL certificate may not work properly is that it has expired. SSL certificates have a limited validity period, usually between one and two years, after which they need to be renewed or replaced. If you don't renew your certificate before it expires, your website will show a warning message or an error to your visitors, which can damage your reputation and your SEO ranking. To avoid this, you should check your certificate's expiration date regularly and set a reminder to renew it in advance. You can check your certificate's expiration date by clicking on the padlock icon in your browser's address bar and viewing the certificate details, or by using an online tool like SSL Checker.

2 Choose the right type of certificate

When choosing an SSL certificate for your website, the type of certificate you select can affect its functionality. Depending on the level of validation and the number of domains or subdomains it covers, there are three main types of certificates: Domain Validation (DV), Organization Validation (OV), and Extended Validation (EV). DV certificates are the simplest and cheapest, as they only verify that you own the domain name. OV certificates verify not only the domain name but also the identity and location of your organization, and are suitable for business or professional websites. EV certificates are the most advanced and expensive, verifying the domain name, organization, and legal status of your website. EV also displays your organization's name in the browser's address bar. You should pick a certificate that meets your website's purpose and needs, as well as one that provides enough security and assurance to your visitors. Make sure that your certificate covers all domains and subdomains used for your website, or get a wildcard or multi-domain certificate that can accommodate them.

3 Monitor your certificate's performance

Even if you have a valid and appropriate SSL certificate for your website, you should still monitor its performance and functionality regularly. This is because there may be some issues or errors that can affect your certificate's operation, such as configuration errors or security breaches. Configuration errors can occur when you install or renew your certificate or make changes to your server or website settings, and result in warnings or errors for your visitors. Security breaches, on the other hand, are attacks or incidents that compromise your certificate's security or integrity, such as hacking, phishing, or man-in-the-middle attacks. To prevent or fix these issues, you should follow the instructions and guidelines of your certificate provider and hosting service, use strong passwords and encryption, keep your website and server software up-to-date, and scan your website for malware or vulnerabilities using online tools. By monitoring your certificate's performance, you can detect and resolve any issues or errors that may affect your website's security and functionality, thus ensuring that your visitors have a smooth and safe browsing experience.

4 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?