What Type of SSL Certificate Is Right for My Business?

Key takeaways:

• When choosing secure sockets layer (SSL) certificates, consider the issuer’s reputation, available support, and encryption strength.  
• Without SSL, data travels openly for anyone to read, making it easy for cybercriminals to steal information.   
• SSL certificates come in three validation levels (Domain Validated (DV), Organization Validated (OV), and Extended Validation (EV), each offering increasing levels of identity verification and trust for website visitors.  

Website security is important in website management since cyber-attacks often lead to data breaches, reputation damage, and profit loss. Statista reports that data breaches compromised 422.61 million records in the third quarter of 2024.  

SSL certificates encrypt sensitive data like usernames, passwords, and credit card numbers. Understanding the type of SSL certificate you need is crucial for implementing the right level of website security.

What is an SSL certificate?  

An SSL certificate verifies a website and encrypts data between the website and its users. When this happens, third parties can’t intercept sensitive information like passwords and credit card details. 

It’s like a digital stamp or envelope that keeps a site protected. 

Why do you need an SSL certificate?  

As our online activities grow, so do the virtual security threats. From personal data breaches to sophisticated cyber-attacks, the risks individuals and businesses face are getting more complex.  

It’s more important than ever to take proactive measures to secure our online interactions and digital assets. 

To protect user data and privacy  

SSL creates a secure tunnel by making a “shared secret” between your computer and a website. When you enter private information, SSL scrambles this data into unreadable text. Only the website you’re connecting to can unscramble it back to normal. If hackers intercept your information while it travels online, chances are they only see meaningless text.

To prevent data breaches and unauthorized access  

SSL certificates protect your website in three ways:

• Encrypt data like login credentials, credit card details, and personal information 
• Prove a website is legitimate 
• Prevent unauthorized access and protect user privacy

To build trust and confidence with users  

A website has an SSL certificate if it has a padlock icon and uses “https” instead of “http” in the URL bar. An SSL on your site inspires trust among visitors, knowing their personal information won’t be hacked or stolen. It’s a marker of trust that puts potential clients at ease.  

To enhance search engine optimization (SEO) 

Customer trust is important for SEO success. Google considers SSL connections a must for the user experience (UX), increasing a website’s search rank. The search engine recommends using SSL as a component of a broader plan to enhance security, speed, and content quality.  

What are the types of SSL authentication types?  

SSL certificates are categorized based on validation levels and domain coverage. Understanding them helps you choose the right SSL certificate that complements your online security needs, website structure, and budget.  

Validation level SSLs

SSL certificates offer different degrees of identity verification. The level you choose dictates the degree of scrutiny before the certificate is issued. The higher the level, the more trustworthy your website looks to visitors.

• Domain Validated (DV) SSL certificate  
• Organization Validated (OV) SSL certificate  
• Extended Validation (EV) SSL certificate

Familiarize yourself with validation level SSLs by checking the information below:

• Domain Validated SSL certificate. This is an entry-level SSL that proves you own or control a domain name. It’s affordable, easy to set up, and provides basic encryption that makes your site display “https://.” This tells visitors that connection to your site is secure. 
• Organization Validated SSL certificate. This extra layer of trust is important for businesses that handle customer data, process online transactions, or operate in competitive markets where credibility matters. When visitors see an OV certificate, they know that their connection is encrypted and that they’re dealing with a verified business entity.  
• Extended Validation SSL certificate. This represents a comprehensive and rigorous form of digital security certification available. It’s particularly valuable for establishing the highest level of trust with website visitors.  The Certificate Authority (CA), which issues digital certificates, confirms that the organization is real, legally registered, and authorized to operate under that name. 

Comparison table   

Disclaimer: Warranty rates are up-to-date at the time of writing but may change without prior notice, so please check for current information.

Feature/SSL Type	Domain Validation (DV)	Organization Validation (OV)	Extended Validation (EV)
Validation level	Basic	Moderate	Strict
Validation requirements	Domain ownership	Business verification	Full legal business checks
Displayed in browser	Padlock icon	Padlock icon	Padlock icon
Security level	Basic	Moderate	High
Issuance time	Minutes to hours	1 to 3 days	1 to 5 days
Warranty	Low (usually $10,000)	Medium (usually $100,000)	High (usually $1M or higher)
Trust indicator validity	Low	Medium	High
Cost	Low	Medium	High

Domain coverage SSL certificates  

Some SSL certificates protect various websites depending on their domain coverage type. The right coverage option secures your websites and injects a different level of flexibility and affordability. Understanding their coverage helps you determine the option that works for you.

• Single domain 
• Multi domain (SAN) 
• Wildcard 
• Multi domain wildcard

Single-domain SSL  

A single-domain SSL protects one website, making it ideal for small businesses, blogs, and websites that don’t need multiple subdomain security. This certificate offers several benefits:

• Better security. Mixes up all data transferred between your site and visitors. This safeguards sensitive information like passwords and credit card numbers from hackers.  
• Enhanced visitor trust. Shows a padlock icon on browsers. It reassures visitors that your site is secure and that their information won’t be compromised.  
• Superb protection. Blocks phishing scams and data theft, protecting both your website and customers.

Multi-domain SSL 

A multi-domain SSL or subject alternative name (SAN) certificate protects different site addresses under one centralized hub. It also removes the need to manage individual certificates. This is ideal if you manage several websites and helps you secure all in an organized manner. 

With a multi-domain SSL, you can save time and money without compromising company security.  

Wildcard SSL  

A wildcard certificate protects the main site and all the subdomains. It uses a special symbol, an asterisk (*), to act as a substitute character for any sub-website name. 

For example, if you have a certificate for website.com, it can protect www.website.com (main site), mail.website.com (email site), store.website.com (online shop), or blog.website.com (blog site).  

However, it only works for first-level sub websites and excludes multi-level subdomains, for example: enterprise.sales.website.com.  

Because of its extensive features, it’s a cost-efficient and easy-to-manage option for eCommerce sites, web hosting companies, and content platforms. 

If you’re an eCommerce website launch, consider reading up on more eCommerce security options to help protect your customers and boost your site reputation. 

Multi domain wildcard 

A multi domain wildcard SSL combines the features of multi domain and wildcard certificates. It protects different websites while covering their sub-websites. This makes it a flexible option for businesses with complex online set-ups.  

This certificate is ideal if you manage multiple sites that come with several sub-sites. A multi domain wildcard helps save on costs since you don’t need to purchase other certificates for different websites. 

Comparison table   

Type of domain coverage SSL	Single domain	Single domain SSL	Multi-domain SSL	Multi domain wildcard
Supports strong encryption (128-bit or 256-bit)	Yes (based on protocol and cipher suites).	Yes (based on protocol and cipher suites).	Yes (based on protocol and cipher suites).	Yes (based on protocol and cipher suites).
Validation	DV, OV, and EV	DV	DV, OV, and EV	DV, OV, and EV
Compatibility	99.9% compatible with all major mobile and web browsers	99.9% compatible with all major mobile and web browsers	99.9% compatible with all major mobile and web browsers	99.9% compatible with all major mobile and web browsers
Cost	Lowest price for every level of validation	Cheaper than individual SSL certificates or wildcard	Relatively more expensive due to additional coverage of unlimited subdomains	Upfront cost is higher due to additional coverage multiple domains and subdomains

Which SSL certificate do I need for my business?  

Choosing the right SSL certificate depends on several factors. From standard encryption for a business blog or extensive security for an eCommerce store, your SSL certificate should align with your goals to ensure customer confidence.  

Below are some of the factors that you should consider.

• Website type 
• Number of domains  
• Budget 
• Technical expertise

Website type 

Consider your website type, together with its needs and requirements. Whether you need to secure one domain, several domains, or subdomains—your choice of certificate should be analyzed beforehand.  

Many experts recommend DV or single domain certificates for business blogs or portfolio sites that don’t collect sensitive data. EV is usually recommended for high-risk industries (finance, healthcare, large-scale eCommerce) that need more extensive protection.  

OV certificates are good alternatives since they strike a good balance between security and costs. 

Number of domains 

The number of domains you need to secure determines the type of SSL for your business. For example, if you have one domain, a standard DV SSL or single-domain SSL is enough. If you need to secure several domains and subdomains, it’s better to go for a multi-domain SSL or wildcard SSL certificate.   

Budget 

On average, the cost of SSL packages varies and may cost up to thousands of dollars, depending on different factors like warranty, validation process, and number of domains.  

Your budget should complement the security and trust requirements of your business. You need to find the balance between affordability for a basic certificate and the better protection of a comprehensive certificate.  

Technical expertise 

If you’re not tech-savvy or uncomfortable handling the technical aspects of SSL certificate installation, go for a service provider that handles the set-up procedures. Additionally, opt for one that offers 24/7 chat, call, or email support.

What are other factors that make your website trustworthy?  

While SSL certificates are important website security factors, there are other systems to consider if you want to trustworthy website. You need to provide the following features to earn your customer’s trust:

• Privacy policy and transparent terms  
• Secure payment gateways 
• Fast website speed and mobile friendliness

Our guide on SiteLock cloud security can help you learn more about the ins and outs of what it takes to build a zero-compromises secure website.

Clear privacy policy and transparent terms 

Trustworthy websites come with clear privacy policies and transparent terms. They include an explanation of the information that you collect, cookie policy on website tracking, and visitor consent on data choices. They should also come with easy-to-find settings that allow visitors to change their choices.  

Failure to address the said aspects can lead to fines and legal problems that may damage your business reputation.  

Secure payment gateway 

You need to make customers feel that their personal information is safe when transacting with your site.  

Therefore, when you provide a secure payment gateway, you assure your customers that their financial transactions are safe and backed by high-security standards.  

Fast website speed and mobile friendliness 

A fast-loading site (loads within 2.5 seconds) that’s mobile friendly builds customer and search engine trust. It demonstrates professionalism since it portrays efficiency and respects the visitor’s time.  

Google treats site speed as a ranking factor for both desktop and mobile search results.  

Getting started with your new Network Solutions SSL certificate 

By integrating SSL into your website’s architecture with industry-specific regulations, you’re taking a proactive stance toward compliance, security, and trust-building. You’re protecting sensitive data and demonstrating your commitment to maintaining the highest standards of data protection. 

Ready to secure your website? Explore Network Solutions’ wide range of SSL certificate options and find the right security for your business. 

For steps to install your Sectigo SSL certificate from Network Solutions, you can visit our help center and check out the comprehensive guide on how to get started with an SSL certificate which will walk you through the process, ensuring a seamless and compliant integration of SSL on your website. 

Frequently asked questions