Certificate Renew Keys, brainstorm, input welcome....

I want to improve the user experience when renewing an existing certificate. Instead of requiring users to purchase a completely new certificate, it would be more efficient to offer a renewal key, a "SBIER-..." type serial, to extend the existing certificate. This renewal key would add days to the current validity period, avoiding the need to renew early and overlap days or renew late during the 30-day grace period (when plus features remain active after expiration). This approach allows users to renew at their convenience without adhering to a strict schedule.

However, there are some challenges to address:

1. The renewal key must match the type of the existing certificate.
2. Renewal keys would be categorized into standard and advanced.

This can be problematic if users purchase the wrong key. Simply displaying a mismatch error could lead to a support nightmare.

A potential solution is to allow the certificate to renew according to the type of the renewal key, even if it means downgrading from advanced to standard. Users can later purchase an advanced upgrade to regain advanced features. This seems fair, as the cost of an advanced renewal key would be equivalent to a standard renewal key plus the advanced upgrade, although it introduces extra steps.

Another issue is period stacking. Should we allow users to buy multiple renewal keys and extend their certificate for several years? For example, purchasing a base certificate and five renewal keys to have a certificate valid for six years. If the last renewal key is advanced while the others are standard, this adds complexity.

I believe period stacking should not be allowed. Users could buy multiple renewal keys but should only use them one per year. The system should prevent applying a renewal if there are more than six months left on the current certificate.

This also offers a good upgrade path for users with less than six months remaining on their certificate who want to try the advanced encryption feature. They can purchase an advanced renewal certificate and effectively enjoy a few months of advanced features for free.


What are your thoughts on this? Do these changes seem user-friendly enough?