What is an SSL certificate and do I really need one?
An SSL/TLS certificate encrypts the connection between your visitor’s browser and your server, turning http:// into https:// with the padlock icon. You need one because: (1) browsers now flag any HTTP site as “Not secure”, scaring off customers; (2) Google uses HTTPS as a ranking signal; and (3) payment, login, and contact forms are unsafe without it. For an e-commerce store it’s effectively mandatory, card processors require it.