BlueHost Web Hosting Package

As mentioned in my previous post, Bluehost offers shared SSL certs in all hosting plans. Your secured pages, using shared SSL certificate, would appear something like this: https://secure.bluehost.com/~yourunixusername.

However if you wish to have a private SSL cert then you’ll need to pay extra for the private SSL purchase.

What are needed for a private SSL at Bluehost?

To run your website on a private SSL, your website will need a dedicated IP address and a private SSL certificate. BlueHost recommends and sells exclusively Rapid SSL Cert.’s. Rapid SSL Certificates use 128 bit encryption to secure and protect your websites data from hackers, where it’s best used for accepting credit card payments online.

From what I see, another good thing about Rapid SSL is that the certification offers $10,000 of warranty in cash. The cert is as well 99% browser recognition rate where major Internet browser like IE 5.01+, AOL 5+, Netscape 4.7+, Opera 7+, Safari, Mozilla 1+, and Firefox 1+ are well supported.

The price

Rapid SSL certificate cost $45 annually; while the dedicated IP address will cost you extra $30 per year.

How to purchase a SSL cert at Bluehost?

First, you’ll need to have a hosting account with Bluehost. (Purchase Bluehost, click here for special promo link)

Then, you’ll need to contact Bluehost support for the purchase/installation of dedicated IP and private SSL certificates. To expedite your order please be sure to have or include the cPanel password and last four digits of the credit card number on file as they are required for validation.

What’s Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and secure server?

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is the standard security system that build encrypted communication between a web server and a web client (web browser). The secured communication is done by having both web server and client authentication and the negotiation of an encryption algo and cryptographic keys.

What can a secure server do for your website?

Generally, a secure server allows you to conduct e-commerce activities such like payment transactions in a safer enviroment. The SSL provides a safer passage of information where data passing thru is harder to be decoded by third party.

From user point of view, it feels much safe to shop at a website with SSL (users see a padlock at the bottom of web browser as well as seeing the URL starting with https://) and thus might most probably, increase your website conversion rate.

Does Bluehost offers SSL certification?

Quick answer: Yes, Bluehost does offer Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate.

In fact, the shared SSL certificate is included in Bluehostshared hosting account standard features. Your secured pages would appear something like this: https://secure.bluehost.com/~yourunixusername.

How about private SSL?

Yes, you can obtain a private SSL at Bluehost. However the private SSL features will require your website to be hosted on a dedicated IP, which will cost an extra $30 annually. On top of that a private SSL certificate will cost another $45 annually.

To get a private SSL certificate, here’s what you need to do*:

1) Create an ‘admin@yourdomain.com’ email address through the Email Manager in your control panel.

2) In the SSL Manager in your control panel, select ‘Private Keys (KEY)’. Under ‘Generate a New Key’, select your main domain from the dropdown box and click the ‘Generate’ button.

3) Go back to the SSL Manager main screen, and select ‘Certificate Signing Requests (CSR)’. Under ‘Generate a New Certificate Signing Request’, your www.maindomain.com should be in the Host box. Under country, enter your 2 letter country code (US, GB, FI, etc). The rest are self explanatory, down to the Passphrase box. Enter any password between 5-15 characters, using only numbers, and upper and lowercase letters.

Once these steps are complete, please send us a ticket including either the password or the last four digits of the credit card on file, and our Level 2 staff will take care of it within 24-48 hours. Depending on security protocols, you may be asked to monitor the admin@maindomain.com email address you created for a period of time, during the course of installation.

* Reference: Bluehost Helpdesk