SSL Certificates and HTTPS
An SSL certificate is what turns http:// into the secure https:// and shows the padlock in the browser. It encrypts the connection between your visitor and your server so that data cannot be read or tampered with in transit.
Today HTTPS is not optional. Browsers warn users away from unsecured sites, and search engines favour secure ones, so a valid certificate is a baseline requirement for any site.
What a Certificate Proves
A certificate does two jobs: it encrypts the connection and it confirms that the site is served by who it claims to be, issued by a trusted certificate authority.
Keeping Certificates Valid
Certificates expire and must be renewed. An expired certificate triggers an alarming browser warning that can scare visitors away instantly.
- We install a certificate covering your domain and its
wwwversion. - Automatic renewal is enabled wherever possible.
- We monitor expiry dates as a safety net.
- All traffic is redirected from HTTP to HTTPS.
Types of Certificate
Most sites are well served by a standard certificate, often issued free of charge and renewed automatically. Larger organisations sometimes choose wildcard or organisation-validated certificates for broader cover or extra assurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do free certificates work as well as paid ones?
For encryption, yes — they are identical in strength. Paid certificates mainly add organisational validation and support.
If you need a hand with any of this, your Progressive Robot delivery team is ready to help. Raise a ticket from the Support area of your client portal or speak to your account manager and we will guide you through the next steps.