Different Types Of SSL Certificates: Which One Is Right For Your Site?

When you visit a website and see a padlock next to the address bar, that’s a sign the site uses SSL or TLS. These security tools protect the data you send through the site, whether you are filling out a contact form or purchasing online.

An SSL certificate is what makes that protection work. It creates a secure connection between your browser and the website, so hackers can’t see or steal the information you enter. It also indicates that the website is real, not a fake version trying to trick you. That builds trust with your visitors. Search engines prefer secure websites, so having SSL can also help your site rank better.

This guide shows you the different types of SSL certificate and helps you decide which is best for your website.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• SSL certificates protect your website and keep visitor data safe.
• There are various SSL certificates based on how many domains or subdomains you want to secure.
• SSL certificates come in 3 levels of validation: DV, OV, and EV.
• Choosing the right SSL depends on your site’s size, the number of domains, and the data you collect.
• You can get SSL certificates through your hosting provider or a Certificate Authority.
• After installing SSL, you must renew it before it expires to keep your site secure and trusted.

What Does an SSL Certificate Do?

An SSL certificate is a digital file that protects your website and its visitors. SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer, and it works alongside Transport Layer Security (TLS), its more modern and secure successor, to encrypt data transmitted between a browser and a web server.

When someone visits your website, the SSL certificate enables a secure connection, changing the web address from Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) to HTTP Secure (HTTPS). Here, the ‘S’ indicates the connection is encrypted, which is essential when users submit sensitive information, such as passwords, personal details, or payment data. The SSL/TLS encryption scrambles the data, making it unreadable to unauthorized parties.

An SSL certificate contains several key components:

1. A public key (used for encryption) and a private key (held by the server for decryption).
2. The domain name(s) it protects (e.g.,www.example.com).
3. A digital signature from a reliable Certificate Authority (CA) verifies the certificate’s authenticity.

Additionally, SSL certificates authenticate your website, proving it is legitimate and not a fake. Without SSL, attackers can create fake versions of your site (a tactic called phishing) or intercept data through man-in-the-middle attacks.

When you use an SSL certificate, you protect visitors, build trust, and ensure no one secretly monitors or modifies data sent between your website and users. It’s one of the most important things you can add to your site to keep it safe and professional.

Types of SSL Certificate by Domain Coverage

When you choose an SSL certificate, it’s essential to consider how your website is configured. Do you only have one domain name? Do you use subdomains? Or do you manage multiple websites with different domain names? The right SSL certificate will depend on these answers. Let’s go over the 3 main SSL types based on domain coverage.

Single Domain SSL Certificates

A single-domain SSL certificate protects only one fully qualified domain name. So, if your site is www.example.com, this certificate will only secure that domain. It won’t cover example.com without the www, or any subdomains, such as blog.example.com orshop.example.com.

This type of SSL is simple and affordable. It’s best for small websites, basic company pages, personal blogs, or portfolios that don’t use subdomains or extra domains. If you only plan to use one domain, this option is smart, budget-friendly and simple to set up and manage, which makes it perfect for beginners.

Wildcard SSL Certificates

A wildcard SSL certificate is designed to secure the main domain and all its subdomains. For instance, if you buy a wildcard SSL for *.example.com, it will also protect:

www.example.com
store.example.com
blog.example.com
mail.example.com
… and more.

You only need one certificate to cover everything under that main domain. This makes management easier and more affordable than buying a separate SSL for each subdomain.

Wildcard SSL certificate types are ideal for business websites that use subdomains for different departments or services. They also make future growth easier because you can add more subdomains without needing a new certificate.

However, note that wildcard SSLs don’t cover different domain names. They only protect subdomains of one main domain.

Multi-Domain SSL Certificates

A multi-domain SSL certificate lets you secure multiple domain names with a single certificate. For instance, you could protect:

example.com
blog.example.com
example.org
example.net
mybusinesssite.com

This is useful for businesses that manage multiple websites. It allows you to use one type of SSL certificate instead of keeping track of several. Most multi-domain SSLs, depending on the provider, let you secure up to 100 domains.

These certificates save time and simplify renewals, especially when you run multiple web projects or client websites. You can also combine this type with different validation levels (DV, OV, or EV, which we cover in the next section).

One thing to note is that multi-domain SSLs don’t cover subdomains unless you add them. If you want to use multiple domains and subdomains, you need a Wildcard Multidomain SSL certificate that supports these features.

Types of SSL Certificate by Validation Level

SSL certificates also come in different levels of validation. This refers to how thoroughly the Certificate Authority (CA) verifies your identity before issuing the certificate. The more validation, the more trust your site can build with visitors. Let’s look at the 3 primary types: Domain Validation (DV), Organization Validation (OV), and Extended Validation (EV):

Domain Validation (DV) Certificates

Domain Validation is the most basic type. It only checks if you own the domain. The CA usually emails the domain owner or requests a simple DNS change. Once you prove ownership, the certificate is issued, sometimes within minutes.

DV certificates are easy to acquire and don’t require any business documents. They still provide strong encryption, just like the other types. However, they don’t show your business name in the certificate details.  So, DV is best for personal websites, blogs, or small projects that don’t collect sensitive data. If you want quick and affordable security for your site, a DV is a good start.

Organization Validation (OV) Certificates

Organization Validation takes things a step further. In this case, the CA checks if you own the domain and verifies your business or organization. You may need to submit business documents, and the CA will confirm your company’s name, location, and contact details.

Once verified, your company’s name appears in the certificate details. Visitors can view this by clicking the padlock icon in the browser. Additionally, OV certificates give users more confidence that they’re dealing with a real, trusted business.

This type is ideal for company websites, nonprofit organizations, and schools, any site that wants to show extra trust but doesn’t need the highest level of validation.

Extended Validation (EV) Certificates

Extended Validation offers the strongest level of trust. The CA checks your domain, business registration, legal status, and physical address. This process takes longer, but it helps prove your company is real and reliable.

With an EV certificate, your business name appears alongside the website address in some browsers. This feature tells users they are on a verified and secure site, making it ideal for ecommerce websites, banks, and other sites that handle personal or financial information.

Although EV certificates cost more and take longer to issue, they show the highest level of assurance. When trust and security are your top goals, this is the option for you.

TIP: Refer to our knowledgebase guide to see what documentation is required for an EV SSL certificate.

Choose & Install the Right SSL Certificate

Choosing the right SSL certificate type depends on how your website is set up and what kind of information it handles. Start by thinking about these:

First, look at how many domains or subdomains you wish to protect. A single domain may only need basic coverage, but if you have several subdomains or even different websites, you need a more flexible option.

Next, consider the type of data your site handles. Do you collect personal information, login details, or payment information? If so, stronger validation may be needed to protect that data.

Also, consider how much trust you want to show to your visitors. A simple padlock may be enough for a personal blog, but business and ecommerce sites should go further to prove their secure identity.

Here are some quick matches to help you make the right decision when it comes to the different types of SSL certificates:

• Personal Blog or Portfolio: A DV single domain certificate is usually enough.
• Business Site with Subdomains: An OV wildcard certificate is a smart pick.
• Companies with Multiple Websites: An OV or EV multi-domain certificate secures all your domains.
• Online Store or Financial Website: An EV certificate offers the highest level of trust and is best for sites handling sensitive data.

After reviewing the types of SSL certificate and selecting the right option, the next step is to obtain and install it. There are a few ways to acquire an SSL certificate:

1. From a Certificate Authority (CA): These are trusted companies that issue SSL certificates, such as DigiCert or Sectigo.
2. From Your Hosting Provider: Many hosts offer free or paid SSL certificates that are easy to set up.
3. From Free Providers: Let’s Encrypt offers free DV certificates. It’s great for personal sites and small projects.

To simplify things, refer to our article on how to install an SSL certificate, which we’ve already written for you. Don’t forget: SSL certificates expire. You must renew them before the end date to keep your website secure. Some providers offer auto-renewal, which helps you stay protected without worrying about missing deadlines.

FAQS

Other Blogs of Interest

– Do I Need An SSL Certificate For A Website?

– What Is SSL Certificate Management And How To Implement It

– SSL Connection Error? What It Is And How To Fix It

– What Is Website Security? 10 Best Practices To Protecting Your Site From Hackers

– How To Renew SSL Certificates For A Website