SSL Certificate, How important for web hosting?

[Smalss]

I am currently using Dreamhost to host a couple small websites I have made. Thinking about moving to a different hosting company because my year is up with them and now I have to pay full price. Just wondering how important SSL Certificate is for websites? I know the basics of what it is, but nothing more. I see some hosting companies offer the certificate for free and others don't. Do you have to have the certificate? And should you have the certificate?

Cheers.

 

[miles01110]

If you're asking people to pass some sort of credentials then yes, it is important. If you just have static webpages then no one cares.

 

[Smalss]

Thanks for the quick reply, appreciate it.

 

[manueld]

Let's put it this way as well..if you're going to be asking for sensitive information you should have SSL. Would you trust your sensitive info to a website without that little padlock? I hope not.