How To Get A Multi Domain SSL Certificate?

A Multi Domain SSL Certificate allows you to secure several domains under one certificate, including separate domain names (e.g., example.com, example.net, and example.co.uk). This approach eliminates the need to purchase and manage multiple certificates for each domain individually, saving time, reducing complexity, and ensuring all your websites remain encrypted.

Many businesses manage multiple websites across different domains, subdomains, or brands, which require SSL certificates to protect them. To simplify SSL management, it is possible to use a single SSL certificate for multiple domains by implementing a Multi-Domain SSL certificate, also known as a SAN (Subject Alternative Name) certificate.>

Using a Multi-Domain SSL certificate simplifies management while maintaining strong encryption across all business websites, making it an ideal solution for businesses managing multiple web properties.

How to Get a Multi Domain SSL Certificate

Obtaining a Multi Domain SSL Certificate is much like acquiring a traditional SSL Certificate. Here are a few more considerations as well as a general overview of the process involved:

1. Choose a reputable Certificate Authority (CA): Research and select a CA with a good reputation that offers Multi Domain SSL Certificates.
2. Select a Certificate Type: Select the type of Multi Domain SSL Certificates you need based on your requirements.
3. Provide Domain Information: Prepare a list of the main domain names and subdomains you wish to secure, using your certificate. Ensure that you have control over each domain name and can verify ownership during the issuing process; this does not apply to fully qualified domain names.
4. Generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR): Create a CSR for your primary domain name and include the additional domain names and SANs in the CSR, to specify which domains should be covered.
5. Submit CSR & Domain Verification: Submit the CSR to the CA accompanied by all documentation required for verification. The CA will verify your ownership of the domain names in the CSR before issuing the certificate.
6. Issuance & Installation: After verification, the CA will issue the certificate. Download the files with the site seal and install them on your web server by following the CA’s instructions or using your hosting provider’s management tools.
7. Configure Web Server: Configure your web server to use the new SSL for all domains and subdomains listed by updating your server’s SSL/TLS settings. If you need assistance, contact the Hosted.com® Support Team.
8. Test SSL Installation: Test the certificate to ensure it is configured correctly and provides browser support and a secure connection for all specified domains.
9. Renewal & Maintenance: Check your certificate’s expiration date and ensure you renew it before it expires. You can set up reminders or automatic renewal services.

Additional Information

• Efficiency: A single Multi-Domain SSL reduces administrative tasks such as renewals and monitoring compared to managing separate certificates.
• Encryption Standards: Multi-Domain SSL certificates offer the same strong encryption (typically 256-bit) as standard SSLs.
• Compatibility: SAN certificates are widely supported across web servers, browsers, and devices.
• Limitations: Multi-Domain SSLs may have a maximum number of domains (e.g., 100–250), depending on the certificate type.
• Validation Requirements: Each domain listed in a SAN certificate must pass domain ownership verification.
• Hosted.com® Support: Hosted.com®’s support team can assist with CSR generation, installation, and validation to ensure all domains are properly secured.

Login to Hosted.com® Account

1. Go to the Hosted.com® website Account Login page.

2. Enter your Email and Password and click the Sign In button.

3. You will see the Hosted.com® Dashboard, displaying the Manage Account menu on the left and your Account Information, Account Overview and Open Support Tickets on the right.

Login to cPanel from your Hosted.com® Dashboard

4. Click on Manage Services to view the sub-dropdown menu and select the hosting package for the domain you want to work with – in our example we are using WordPress Hosting.

5. Click the Manage button to the right of the domain name you want to access.

6. The display will now show Product Information, Quick Manage, Resource Usage and Site Statistics for that domain name.

7. Under Product Information, scroll down to Control Panel, which will display cPanel to the right, and click on the Login button.

8. The cPanel Dashboard will now be displayed.