USD
KES - Kenya
UGX - Uganda
TZS - Tanzania
RWF - Rwanda
NGN - Nigeria
ZAR - South Africa
GHS - Ghana
ETB - Ethiopia
ZMW - Zambia
USD - International
Short answer
An SSL certificate encrypts the connection between your website and its visitors, so passwords, forms and payments can't be read on the way. It turns http into https and shows the padlock in the browser. Without one, browsers warn visitors that your site is "Not secure".
Why every website needs SSL
- Security: logins, contact forms and payments are encrypted.
- Trust: browsers label sites without SSL “Not secure”, which drives visitors away.
- Google: https is a ranking signal, and Chrome flags insecure pages.
- Payments: if your own shop accepts card or mobile money payments (EcoCash, OneMoney or InnBucks, for example), its checkout needs https.
- Personal data: if your site collects customer details, encryption is part of protecting them under Zimbabwe’s Cyber and Data Protection Act [Chapter 12:07].
Types of SSL certificates
| Type | What is checked | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Domain Validation (DV) | That you control the domain | Blogs, business websites, most shops |
| Organisation Validation (OV) | The domain and that your company exists | Companies, portals, sites that handle personal data |
| Extended Validation (EV) | A full check of the organisation | Banks, payment and financial services |
| Wildcard | Covers all subdomains | Sites with many subdomains (shop., portal., mail.) |
Every type uses the same strong encryption; what differs is how much the certificate proves about who runs the site. More in DV vs OV vs EV.
Do I need to pay for one?
Usually not: every Hostnali hosting plan includes a free SSL certificate that installs and renews by itself. See do I need to pay for SSL?
For OV, EV or wildcard certificates, see our SSL certificates, from $20.98 a year.