Website security is more important than ever. An SSL certificate protects sensitive data, builds trust with visitors, and helps your site comply with regulations like POPIA. For South African businesses, understanding how SSL works and choosing the right certificate is essential.
This guide explains everything you need to know about SSL certificates; from how they function and why they matter, to the different types available and how to get one through 1‑grid. By the end, you’ll have all the information needed to secure your website and reassure your visitors that their data is safe.
What Is an SSL Certificate for a Website?
An SSL certificate is a digital file that secures the connection between a website and a visitor’s browser. It protects information by encrypting data so it cannot be intercepted or read by unauthorised parties. Beyond encryption, SSL also authenticates the website’s identity, proving users are interacting with the legitimate domain and not a fraudulent copy.
This combination of encryption and authentication builds trust and credibility.
Modern browsers no longer consistently display a padlock icon. Secure websites are indicated by HTTPS, while browsers now focus on warning users when a site is not secure. Certificate details can be viewed by opening the site or connection information menu (often shown as a kebab or tune-style icon) next to the address bar.
How Do SSL Certificates Work?
When you visit a website, your browser first checks for an SSL certificate, then begins a secure “handshake” with the server. During this process, the server presents its public key, which the browser verifies. A secure session key is then established to encrypt data in transit. The server’s private key is never shared or transmitted.
This protects information such as login details, personal information, and payment data from being intercepted.
It should be noted that SSL does not secure data stored on the server itself; only data in transit.
Why South African Websites Need SSL Certificates
With South Africa’s growing digital economy and rising cybercrime rates, SSL certificates are no longer optional. Whether you run a small business site or a full online store, users expect secure browsing and clear indicators of trust.
Here are the key reasons why South African websites need SSL protection.
- POPIA Compliance: POPIA requires businesses to safeguard personal information. SSL encryption helps ensure that data shared via forms, logins, and transactions is protected while in transit, supporting your broader compliance efforts.
- E-commerce and Online Payment Expectations: South African shoppers are increasingly cautious when paying online. Payment gateways and banks expect HTTPS as a baseline requirement, and customers are far more likely to complete a purchase on a site using HTTPS and clearly marked as secure by the browser.
- SEO Benefits: Google gives ranking preference to secure websites. An SSL certificate can improve visibility in local search results, offering South African businesses a competitive advantage.
- Avoiding “Not Secure” Warnings: Browsers flag HTTP sites with a bold “Not Secure” warning. This instantly drives users away and harms credibility, even for non-transactional websites.
- Local Trends in Online Fraud: South Africa continues to experience increases in phishing, impersonation scams, and data breaches. SSL encryption helps protect users from interception attacks and reinforces your site’s legitimacy.
How to Check an SSL Certificate (For Any Website)
You can quickly check whether any website is properly secured by reviewing its SSL certificate. The easiest method is to open the site or connection information menu in your browser (commonly shown as a kebab or tune-style icon next to the address bar), which displays the SSL certificate details. This reveals key details such as the certificate issuer, the type of validation used, and whether the certificate is still valid.
For a deeper inspection, you can use an online SSL checker tool, which scans a domain and reports on issues such as weak configurations, outdated protocols, or missing intermediate certificates.
When reviewing an SSL certificate, pay attention to the expiry date, the issuing Certificate Authority, and the validation level (DV, OV, or EV). Businesses should also monitor renewal dates with automated reminders to avoid unexpected downtime or security warnings caused by an expired certificate.
Types of SSL Certificates Available in South Africa
South African businesses can choose from several types of SSL certificates, each offering different levels of verification and trust. While all SSL certificates provide strong encryption, the key differences lie in how thoroughly the Certificate Authority (CA) checks the identity of the website owner.
Below are the main certificate types available, what each one does, and where they’re commonly used.
DV (Domain Validation)
DV certificates are the quickest and simplest to issue because the CA only verifies that the applicant controls the domain. They offer basic encryption and work well for low-risk websites that don’t handle sensitive information, such as personal blogs, small brochure sites, or simple landing pages.
OV (Organisation Validation)
OV certificates include additional checks, with the CA validating both domain ownership and the organisation’s legal and operational details. This added verification provides users with greater confidence that they’re interacting with a legitimate business. OV certificates are often used by company websites, professional service platforms, and business portals that collect moderate levels of user information.
EV (Extended Validation)
EV certificates provide the highest level of trust, undergoing an extensive vetting process that confirms the organisation’s identity, legal standing, and physical presence. They offer a strong visual indicator of legitimacy by displaying the company name in supported browser interfaces. Because of this, EV SSL is widely used by e-commerce businesses, financial institutions, healthcare providers, and any website involved in high-value or sensitive transactions.
Wildcard DV
A Wildcard DV certificate secures a primary domain and all its subdomains under a single certificate, making it extremely cost-effective for businesses with multiple site sections or web applications. The validation process is the same as a standard DV certificate, but the benefit of broad coverage makes it ideal for platforms with subdomains (such as shop.example.co.za or mail.example.co.za) and SaaS products that spin up multiple subdomains for different user accounts.
Free vs Paid SSL Certificates: Which Is Right for You?
Free SSL certificates can be useful for simple websites, but they come with limitations that make them unsuitable for most business environments. While they provide standard encryption, free certificates typically offer only basic domain validation, no warranty protection, limited browser compatibility, and minimal or no customer support. They also renew frequently, increasing the risk of unexpected expiry and downtime.
Businesses should avoid free SSL certificates when handling customer data, processing payments, running e-commerce platforms, or operating any website where trust and credibility are essential. In these cases, the lack of organisational validation and warranty protection can expose the business to unnecessary risk.
Paid SSL certificates are generally the better choice for South African businesses. They offer stronger trust signals, higher levels of validation, and better compatibility across devices and browsers. Paid options from providers like Sectigo and Thawte also include valuable features such as dedicated support teams, visible trust seals, and financial warranties that protect you if the Certificate Authority makes an error.
For companies operating in a competitive digital environment (especially those subject to POPIA requirements) paid SSL certificates provide the reliability, stability, and credibility needed to reassure customers and protect sensitive information.
How Do I Get an SSL Certificate for My Website?
Getting an SSL certificate through 1-grid is a simple, guided process designed to help South African businesses secure their websites quickly and correctly. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how it works:
Step 1: Register
Choose the SSL certificate that best matches your security needs. During registration, you’ll also provide the IP address or domain you want to secure. This ensures the certificate is generated for the correct website from the start.
Step 2: Provide Your Information
Next, you’ll submit the required details to the registering authority. The information needed varies depending on the validation level. DV certificates typically require only domain ownership confirmation, while OV and EV certificates require verified business details.
Step 3: Verification
Your information will enter the verification phase, which can take anywhere from 1 to 10 days, depending on the type of SSL you selected. Simple DV certificates are verified quickly, while OV and EV certificates undergo more rigorous checks to confirm your business identity.
Step 4: SSL Certificate Issued
Once verification is complete, your SSL certificate is issued. From there, you simply add it to your website’s hosting account or control panel. After installation, your site will use HTTPS, and all data exchanged with visitors will be encrypted and protected.
Hosting With SSL Certificate: What to Expect
Securing a website isn’t just about adding an SSL certificate. Choosing a host that properly manages SSL as part of the package ensures installation, renewals, and monitoring are handled correctly, reducing the chance of mistakes or downtime.
Combining SSL with reliable hosting also improves website performance. Secure sites benefit from optimised server configurations that support HTTPS, faster load times, and better handling of encrypted traffic. This ensures users have a smooth, secure browsing experience, which is essential for maintaining trust and improving search rankings.
1-grid makes it easy to manage both your hosting and SSL security in one place. While our SSL certificates are offered as a separate, premium product, hosting with 1-grid ensures smooth integration, reliable performance, and hassle-free support when installing or renewing your certificate. Our local team is available to assist with configuration, troubleshooting, and security best practices, helping your business maintain a secure and compliant online presence without relying on risky free SSL alternatives.
How Much Is an SSL Certificate in South Africa?
If you choose 1‑grid for your SSL certificate, here are the costs and what you get with our two main offerings:
Sectigo SSL Certificate
1‑grid offers a basic Sectigo SSL (domain‑validated) from R279 per year.
This basic certificate covers a single domain, provides standard encryption, and includes a warranty.
For sites requiring more coverage, 1‑grid offers a “Positive SSL Wildcard” under Sectigo. This secures a domain and all its subdomains, under one certificate.
We also offer a Multi‑Domain option (for multiple domains) and an Extended Validation version under Sectigo, for businesses needing higher assurance.
Thawte SSL Certificate
As a premium alternative, 1‑grid offers Thawte SSL Certificate plans that start at R999 per year.
Thawte is generally regarded as more “prestigious,” often used when businesses want stronger brand trust, broader validation, or higher warranty coverage, which tends to cost more than a basic DV under Sectigo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Even if you understand the basics of SSL, you may still have common questions about how it works and whether your website truly needs it. The following answers address some of the most frequently asked questions by South African website owners.
Does SSL affect website speed?
Modern SSL certificates have minimal impact on website performance. With today’s optimised servers and protocols, the encryption process adds only a fraction of a second to page load times, ensuring visitors enjoy fast and secure browsing.
How long does validation take?
Validation depends on the SSL type. Domain Validated (DV) certificates are issued almost immediately, while Organisation Validated (OV) and Extended Validation (EV) certificates can take several days to verify your business information. Typically, verification ranges from 1 to 10 days.
Do I need SSL if I don’t sell online?
Yes. SSL isn’t just for e-commerce. It protects any data submitted via forms, login pages, or personal information fields. Additionally, SSL builds trust, improves SEO rankings, and avoids “Not Secure” warnings even on informational websites.
Is SSL enough to secure my whole site?
SSL encrypts data in transit but does not protect your website from all threats. Firewalls, regular software updates, strong passwords, and malware scanning are also necessary to fully safeguard your site. SSL is a critical part of a broader security strategy.
Why Buy an SSL Certificate in South Africa Through 1-grid
At 1‑grid, we make securing your website simple and reliable. Our SSL certificates are affordable, providing strong encryption without breaking your budget. With local support and quick installation, you can have your certificate up and running in no time, with a team ready to assist every step of the way.
We partner with trusted Certificate Authorities, including Sectigo and Thawte, ensuring your website is protected by reputable and widely recognised SSL certificates. Each certificate comes with warranty protection, giving you peace of mind in the unlikely event of an issue on the CA’s side. Our solutions are also designed with strong compliance and reliability in mind, helping South African businesses meet POPIA requirements and maintain user trust.
Choosing 1‑grid also means seamless integration with our hosting services, so your SSL and hosting work together for maximum performance and security.
Contact 1‑grid to get an SSL certificate and hosting solution that allows for fast, reliable, and fully protected online operations.