The verdict in three sentences
For a showcase site, the free Let's Encrypt SSL encrypts traffic and shows the padlock, covering 95% of needs without spending a franc. A paid EV/OV certificate (50,000 to 150,000 FCFA/year) is only justified for banks, high-volume e-commerce or institutions wanting to display their legal name. Real security does not stop at the padlock: headers (CSP, HSTS), backups and an application firewall make the difference.
Free vs paid SSL
The encryption level is identical between a Let's Encrypt and a paid certificate. What changes is the identity validation level and the associated warranty.
| Certificate type | Annual cost | Validation | For whom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Let's Encrypt (DV) | 0 FCFA | Domain | Showcase sites, blogs, SMEs |
| Paid DV | 10,000 – 40,000 FCFA | Domain | Comfort, support |
| OV | 50,000 – 90,000 FCFA | Organization | Established companies |
| EV | 90,000 – 150,000 FCFA | Extended (legal) | Banks, finance, e-commerce |
Beyond the padlock: real security
SSL only protects transport. A site is secured in layers. Here are the items to budget for a serious showcase site in 2026.
| Measure | Role | Cost (ballpark) |
|---|---|---|
| CSP / HSTS headers | Block injections, force HTTPS | 0 FCFA (configuration) |
| Automatic backups | Restore after an incident | ~25,000 FCFA/month |
| Application firewall (WAF) | Filter web attacks | 0 – 30,000 FCFA/month |
| Regular updates | Patch vulnerabilities | Included in maintenance |
| Attempt rate limiting | Anti-brute-force | 0 FCFA (plugin/config) |
| Uptime monitoring | Alert on outage | 0 – 10,000 FCFA/month |
Mini case study
Ibrahima runs a clinic with a showcase site and an appointment form. He keeps a free Let's Encrypt SSL, enables CSP/HSTS headers (0 FCFA), and subscribes to automatic backups (25,000 FCFA/month). Annual security budget: ~300,000 FCFA, where an EV certificate alone would have cost him 120,000 FCFA for almost no benefit. He invests in what truly protects his patient data.
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FAQ
Is free SSL less secure than paid?
No, the encryption is identical. The difference is identity validation and financial warranty, not the technical strength of HTTPS.
When is an EV certificate justified?
Mostly for banks, insurers and high-volume e-commerce, where displaying the legal name reassures. For an SME showcase site, it is rarely useful.
Are backups really essential?
Yes. For about 25,000 FCFA/month, you can restore your site in minutes after a hack or an error, versus days of lost work without a backup.
Does SSL improve SEO?
Yes, HTTPS is a trust signal considered by Google, and browsers flag non-secure sites as "dangerous", which drives visitors away.
Let's talk about your project. We secure your site (SSL, headers, backups) at the right price, without selling you a useless certificate. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
