Part of the Security audit
Check your SSL certificate in seconds
An expired or missing SSL certificate shows a browser warning that turns visitors away. SiteCurl checks your certificate as part of a full security scan.
No signup required. Results in under 60 seconds.
What this check does
SiteCurl checks whether your site loads over HTTPS and whether the SSL certificate is valid. It verifies that the certificate has not expired and that the connection is properly secured. Sites that fail this check show a browser warning that blocks most visitors from entering.
The check also looks for HSTS (HTTP Strict Transport Security), which forces browsers to always use HTTPS. Without HSTS, browsers may try the insecure HTTP version first, creating a window for attacks.
Why it matters
Browsers show a full-page warning for sites with invalid or expired SSL certificates. Most visitors will not click through that warning. An expired cert can take a working site to near-zero traffic in minutes.
HTTPS is also a ranking signal for search engines. Sites without it rank lower, all else being equal. And visitors look for the lock icon before entering personal information. A missing lock tells them your site is not safe.
How to fix it
If your certificate is expired, renew it through your hosting provider or certificate authority. Most modern hosts like Render, Netlify, and Vercel provide free auto-renewing certificates through Let's Encrypt.
If your site loads over HTTP instead of HTTPS, enable SSL in your hosting settings and set up a redirect from HTTP to HTTPS. Then add an HSTS header to tell browsers to always use the secure version.
After fixing, run another scan to confirm the certificate is valid and HTTPS is enforced on all pages.
Example findings from a scan
SSL certificate expires in 3 days
Site does not enforce HTTPS
HSTS header missing on main domain
Related checks
Frequently asked questions
How often should I check my SSL certificate?
Monthly is a good baseline. Most certificates auto-renew, but renewal failures happen. A scheduled scan catches expiration before your visitors do.
What happens when an SSL certificate expires?
Browsers show a full-page warning that blocks visitors. Most people leave immediately. Your site is technically still online but effectively unreachable.
Is a free SSL certificate good enough?
Yes. Free certificates from Let's Encrypt provide the same encryption as paid ones. The main difference is that some paid certificates offer extended validation (EV) with organization name display.
What is HSTS and do I need it?
HSTS tells browsers to always use HTTPS. Without it, the first visit may go over HTTP before redirecting. Adding HSTS closes that gap and improves security.
Can I check SSL without signing up?
Yes. The free audit includes SSL and security checks as part of a full seven-category scan. No signup required.
Check your SSL certificate now