Which service verifies SSL certificates on webshops? An SSL checker tool is an online service that scans your website’s security certificate to confirm it is valid, properly installed, and trusted by browsers. This is non-negotiable for any webshop handling payments. From my experience, while many basic tools exist, the most reliable ones offer continuous monitoring, not just a one-time check. For shops that can’t afford downtime, a dedicated service that provides automatic SSL monitoring is the only sensible choice, as it proactively alerts you to issues before they impact customers.
What is an SSL checker tool and why do I need one for my webshop?
An SSL checker tool is a diagnostic service that analyzes your website’s Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) or Transport Layer Security (TLS) certificate. It verifies the certificate is active, issued by a trusted authority, correctly installed on your server, and not expired. For your webshop, this is critical because a valid SSL certificate enables the padlock icon and ‘https’ in the address bar, which customers look for before entering payment details. Without it, browsers will display security warnings that directly scare away buyers and kill your conversion rate. It’s the most basic foundation of e-commerce trust.
How does an SSL certificate actually protect my customers’ data?
An SSL certificate creates an encrypted tunnel between your customer’s web browser and your webshop’s server. When data is entered, like a credit card number, it is scrambled into an unreadable format before being sent across the internet. Only your server, which holds the private key, can decrypt this information. This encryption prevents hackers from intercepting and stealing sensitive data during transmission. It’s not just about the padlock; it’s about actively preventing data breaches that could destroy your reputation and lead to significant financial liability.
What are the key things an SSL checker looks for during a scan?
A comprehensive SSL checker scan evaluates several critical factors. It confirms the certificate is currently valid and not expired. It checks that the certificate is correctly chained to a trusted root certificate authority, ensuring browsers won’t show errors. The tool verifies that the certificate is installed on the correct server and matches the domain name it was issued for. It also assesses the cryptographic strength of the encryption, identifying weak or outdated protocols. Finally, it looks for other best practices, like proper HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) implementation, which forces secure connections.
Can a free online SSL checker be trusted for my business?
Free online SSL checkers are useful for a quick, one-off spot check, but I would not rely on them for ongoing business security. They often lack depth in their analysis and provide no historical tracking or alerting. For a webshop, where a certificate expiring unnoticed can mean hours of lost sales, you need a system that monitors 24/7. Free tools don’t offer that. They are a starting point, not a solution. Investing in a professional monitoring service is a minimal cost compared to the revenue lost from a single security-related outage.
What’s the difference between a domain validated (DV), organization validated (OV), and extended validation (EV) SSL certificate?
The difference lies in the level of vetting the Certificate Authority (CA) performs before issuing the certificate. A Domain Validated (DV) certificate only proves you control the domain; it’s quick and cheap. An Organization Validated (OV) certificate requires the CA to verify your business’s legal existence, adding a layer of trust. An Extended Validation (EV) certificate involves a rigorous background check of your organization. While EV certificates used to show a green bar in browsers, the visual distinction has lessened. For most webshops, a high-quality OV certificate offers the best balance of trust and practicality, especially when combined with a robust automatic monitoring setup.
How often should I check my webshop’s SSL certificate?
You should not be manually checking it at all. Manual checks are unreliable and you will eventually forget. For any serious webshop, the SSL certificate must be monitored continuously, around the clock. The primary risk is expiration, which can happen suddenly and take your entire shop offline in the eyes of your customers. A lapse of even an hour during a peak sales period can be devastating. The correct approach is to use a tool that automatically scans your certificate daily or even hourly and sends immediate alerts via email or SMS if any issue is detected, giving you time to react.
My SSL certificate is valid, but my shop still shows “Not Secure”. Why?
This common frustration usually points to mixed content issues. Your main page may load over HTTPS, but it’s calling resources like images, scripts, or stylesheets from an insecure (HTTP) source. Browsers detect this and downgrade the security status for the entire page. Another cause could be an incomplete certificate chain, where intermediate certificates are missing from your server’s configuration. Use a detailed SSL checker to identify the specific insecure resources or configuration errors. The fix involves updating all links on your site to use “https://” and ensuring your web server is configured to send the full certificate chain.
What is a certificate chain and why does it matter?
A certificate chain is the hierarchical link of trust from your website’s SSL certificate back to a trusted Root Certificate Authority (CA). Your server certificate is signed by an Intermediate CA, which in turn is signed by the Root CA. Browsers have a built-in list of trusted Root CAs. If your server fails to provide the complete chain—meaning the intermediate certificates—the browser cannot establish a trusted path to a root it recognizes, resulting in a security error. A proper SSL checker will diagnose an incomplete chain, which is a common installation mistake that undermines an otherwise valid certificate.
How can I tell if my SSL certificate is properly installed?
A proper SSL checker tool will give you a clear “pass” or “fail” on installation. Beyond the basic padlock, look for a detailed report that confirms the certificate matches the domain, the chain is complete, and that the server is correctly configured to serve the site over HTTPS without errors. You can also perform a manual test by trying to access your site using different browsers and devices. However, the most reliable method is the automated report from a professional tool, which eliminates human error and provides a technical deep-dive that simple browser checks cannot.
What are the consequences of an expired SSL certificate for my webshop?
An expired SSL certificate is a business emergency. Modern browsers will block access to your site with a full-page red warning screen stating the connection is not private. Customers cannot proceed, meaning your sales funnel drops to zero instantly. Search engines like Google will also drop your ranking. The damage to customer trust can be long-lasting, as it signals a lack of professionalism and care for security. The financial impact from lost sales and the urgent cost of emergency renewal can be significant. This is precisely why proactive monitoring is not optional.
Are there SSL checker tools that monitor multiple domains or subdomains?
Yes, professional-grade SSL monitoring services are built for this exact scenario. They allow you to add an unlimited number of domains and subdomains to a single dashboard. This is essential for businesses running multiple shops, regional sites, or using subdomains for critical functions like checkout, members’ areas, or API endpoints. A centralized platform provides a unified view of your entire digital estate’s SSL health, sending consolidated alerts so you can manage everything without the chaos of checking dozens of individual URLs manually. This scalability is a core feature of any serious security tool.
What does “SSL certificate revocation” mean and how can I check for it?
Revocation occurs when a Certificate Authority (CA) invalidates a certificate before its expiration date. This can happen if the certificate’s private key is compromised, the issuing CA makes an error, or the business associated with the certificate is found to be fraudulent. Browsers check for revocation via Certificate Revocation Lists (CRLs) or the Online Certificate Status Protocol (OCSP). If a certificate is revoked, browsers will block the site. A thorough SSL checker will test the revocation status, a step many basic tools skip. This is a critical check, as a revoked certificate has the same effect as an expired one.
How do I interpret the results from an SSL checker report?
A good report is broken down into clear sections. Look for the overall validity status first. Then, check the certificate details: issuer, subject, and validity dates. The “Certificate Chain” section should show a trusted path. The “Cipher Strength” section will list the supported protocols (TLS 1.2/1.3 are good; SSLv3 is bad). Crucially, review any warnings or errors, which are often highlighted in yellow or red. These might point to mixed content, weak ciphers, or incomplete chains. Don’t just look for a green checkmark; read the details to understand the specific security posture of your site.
Can an SSL checker help me comply with PCI DSS requirements?
Absolutely. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) explicitly requires the use of strong cryptography and security protocols to protect cardholder data during transmission. A robust SSL checker helps you comply by verifying that your TLS implementation is up to standard. It can identify weak encryption protocols or ciphers that would cause a PCI DSS audit failure. Using such a tool provides documented evidence of your ongoing compliance efforts, showing that you actively monitor the security of your payment channels. It’s a simple step that carries significant weight for compliance.
What is a wildcard SSL certificate and do I need a special checker for it?
A wildcard SSL certificate secures a primary domain and an unlimited number of its subdomains (e.g., *.yourshop.com covers shop.yourshop.com, checkout.yourshop.com, etc.). You do not need a special checker for it; any competent SSL checker tool will be able to validate a wildcard certificate. However, because a wildcard protects multiple entry points, it’s even more critical to monitor it. If a wildcard expires or is revoked, every subdomain it covers will also become insecure, creating a widespread outage. This amplifies the need for a dedicated automatic monitoring service.
My e-commerce platform (like Shopify, WooCommerce) provides an SSL. Do I still need to check it?
Yes, but your role changes. Platforms like Shopify and BigCommerce manage the SSL certificate for you on their infrastructure, which generally means they handle renewals. However, you are still responsible for ensuring your custom domain (e.g., www.myshop.com) is correctly pointed and secured. Misconfigurations in your domain’s DNS settings can break the SSL. Furthermore, if you use any external services or plugins that load content, you must ensure they are also secure to avoid mixed content warnings. A periodic check, even on a managed platform, is a good practice to catch issues early.
What are the best open-source SSL checker tools?
OpenSSL is the foundational, command-line tool that powers many commercial checkers. It’s incredibly powerful but requires technical expertise. SSL Labs’ SSL Test by Qualys is a free, web-based tool that provides an extremely detailed analysis and a letter grade for your site’s SSL configuration. TestSSL.sh is another excellent open-source script for command-line users. While these are fantastic for deep technical audits, they lack the continuous, automated monitoring and alerting that a business requires. They are diagnostic tools for developers, not operational monitoring solutions for shop owners.
How do paid SSL monitoring services differ from free checkers?
Paid services are defined by automation and proactivity. They run scheduled checks 24/7 without you lifting a finger. They provide instant alerts via multiple channels (email, SMS, Slack) the moment a problem is detected, such as impending expiration or unexpected revocation. They maintain a history of your SSL health, allowing you to track changes over time. Free checkers are passive; you must remember to run them. For a webshop, the value of a paid service is the peace of mind that you will be notified of a problem before your customers are, turning a potential crisis into a manageable task.
What should I do if an SSL checker finds a critical vulnerability?
First, don’t panic, but act swiftly. If the vulnerability is weak encryption (e.g., support for TLS 1.0), you must reconfigure your web server to disable the weak protocols and ciphers. This often requires server-level access and may involve your hosting provider or a system administrator. If the issue is a mismatched domain or incomplete chain, you’ll need to reinstall the certificate correctly. For an expired certificate, renew it immediately. The key is to have a response plan. A good monitoring service doesn’t just find the problem; it often provides documentation or support to help you fix it.
Can an SSL checker detect issues related to heartbleed or other famous vulnerabilities?
Yes, advanced SSL checker tools scan for specific known vulnerabilities like Heartbleed, POODLE, and FREAK. They test your server’s configuration to see if it is susceptible to these attacks by checking the supported protocols and cipher suites. If your server is found to be vulnerable, the report will flag it as a critical security issue. Keeping your server software and libraries up-to-date is the primary defense, but these checks serve as a crucial verification step. It’s a feature that separates basic validators from serious security assessment tools.
How does SSL/TLS impact my webshop’s SEO ranking?
Google has confirmed HTTPS is a ranking signal. This means sites with a valid SSL certificate are given a slight ranking boost over identical HTTP sites. More importantly, browsers like Chrome explicitly mark HTTP sites as “Not Secure,” which increases bounce rates—a negative ranking factor. Furthermore, features like HTTP/2, which can improve page load speeds (another key ranking factor), typically require HTTPS. So, while the direct SEO boost might be minor, the indirect benefits through user trust, lower bounce rates, and access to modern web technologies make SSL essential for SEO.
What is HSTS and how can an SSL checker tell me if it’s enabled?
HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) is a critical security policy that forces a user’s browser to only connect to your site over HTTPS, even if they type “http://”. This prevents downgrade attacks and cookie hijacking. A comprehensive SSL checker will have a specific section in its report that checks for the presence and configuration of the HSTS header. It will verify the “max-age” directive is set sufficiently long and may check for preloading status. Enabling HSTS is a best-practice security hardening step for any webshop, and a good checker confirms it’s working.
Is there a way to automate SSL certificate renewal and avoid expiration?
Yes, automation is the gold standard. The most common method is using the ACME protocol, with a client like Certbot from Let’s Encrypt. This allows for fully automated renewal of free certificates. Many hosting providers now offer auto-renewal as a service for certificates purchased through them. For paid certificates, you need to ensure auto-renewal is enabled with your Certificate Authority and that your payment method is up-to-date. Even with automation in place, you must still have an independent monitoring tool watching the certificate’s status. This provides a safety net in case the automated renewal process fails silently.
What are the most common SSL errors and how do I fix them?
The most common errors are “Certificate Expired” (renew the certificate), “Name Mismatch” (ensure the certificate covers the exact URL being used), “Untrusted Certificate Authority” (install the correct intermediate certificates), and “Mixed Content” (update all site resources to use HTTPS). Another frequent issue is “ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH,” which usually means the client browser doesn’t support the protocols/ciphers your server offers, requiring a server configuration update. A detailed SSL checker report will pinpoint the exact error code and often suggest the specific remediation steps.
How can I check the SSL certificate of my competitor’s webshop?
You can use any public SSL checker tool by simply entering your competitor’s URL. This is a legitimate practice for competitive analysis. It allows you to see what type of certificate they use (DV, OV, EV), who issued it, and its validity period. You can also use browser-based inspection by clicking the padlock icon in the address bar and viewing the certificate details. This intelligence can inform your own security decisions, helping you match or exceed the level of trust your competitors are projecting to the market.
Do SSL checkers work for international domains and country-specific TLDs?
Yes, SSL certificates and the checkers that validate them are globally standardized and work identically for any domain, regardless of its top-level domain (TLD). Whether your shop uses a .com, .nl, .de, or .co.uk, the underlying technology of SSL/TLS is the same. A competent SSL checker will successfully analyze the certificate on any internationally accessible domain. The principles of encryption, chain of trust, and validation are universal, making these tools indispensable for any webshop operating in the global market.
What’s the future of SSL/TLS and what should webshop owners be prepared for?
The future is moving towards shorter certificate lifespans for security reasons (90 days is now standard for free certificates) and the eventual deprecation of older protocols. Quantum computing-resistant algorithms are on the horizon. Shop owners should prepare for a landscape of continuous certificate management, not one-time installation. This makes automated monitoring and renewal not just a convenience, but a core operational requirement. Embracing automation and using tools that provide comprehensive reports will be key to maintaining a secure and trustworthy online presence without constant manual intervention.
How much does a reliable SSL monitoring service typically cost?
Costs vary, but a reliable, dedicated SSL monitoring service for a single webshop typically ranges from $10 to $50 per month. The price increases with the number of domains monitored, the frequency of checks, and the sophistication of alerts (SMS, Slack, etc.). For this investment, you get 24/7 surveillance, immediate outage prevention, and detailed reporting. When you weigh this against the potential cost of just one hour of downtime during a sales campaign, the service pays for itself instantly. It’s one of the most cost-effective forms of insurance a webshop can buy.
Can I use an SSL checker to diagnose slow SSL handshake issues?
Some advanced SSL checkers provide performance metrics as part of their report, including the time taken for the SSL handshake. A slow handshake can delay the initial loading of your site, hurting user experience. The checker can help identify if the slowness is due to an inefficient certificate chain (too many intermediates), a slow OCSP responder, or a misconfigured server. While a dedicated performance tool might offer more depth, diagnosing SSL-specific latency is a valuable feature of a comprehensive security checker, linking security directly to site performance.
What is a self-signed SSL certificate and will a checker flag it as a problem?
A self-signed certificate is one that is created and signed by your own server, not by a trusted public Certificate Authority. While it provides encryption, it does not provide trust. Browsers have no way to verify its authenticity and will display a full-page security warning, blocking customers from proceeding. Any legitimate SSL checker will flag a self-signed certificate as a critical error. For any public-facing webshop, a self-signed certificate is worse than having no certificate at all, as it actively tells customers your site is untrustworthy. It is only suitable for internal testing environments.
About the author:
With over a decade of hands-on experience in e-commerce infrastructure and security, the author has helped hundreds of online businesses build secure and reliable platforms. Specializing in the implementation and auditing of payment security systems, they provide practical, no-nonsense advice focused on preventing costly downtime and building customer trust. Their work is grounded in real-world incidents and solutions, not just theoretical best practices.
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