Key takeaways:
- SSL certificates differ by validation level (DV, OV, and EV), or how thoroughly the certificate authority verifies the applicant’s identity.
- Single-domain, wildcard, and multi-domain SSL certificates differ by coverage, including whether they protect one domain, multiple subdomains, or multiple distinct domains.
- The right SSL certificate depends on your website’s needs, including its purpose, domain structure, trust requirements, and budget.
Choosing the right SSL certificate can feel confusing because many options provide the same encryption. The main differences come down to two factors: validation level and coverage. Validation level refers to how thoroughly the certificate authority (CA) verifies the website owner, while coverage determines which domains or subdomains the certificate protects.
All SSL certificates help establish an encrypted connection between your website and its visitors. To choose the right one, consider your website structure, business needs, and the level of identity verification and trust you want to provide to your visitors.
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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 envelope that helps keep information private while it travels between a website and its visitors.
Types of SSL certificates based on validation level
Validation level describes how extensively a certificate authority (CA) verifies the applicant before issuing an SSL certificate.
Domain Validated (DV) SSL certificates
Domain Validated (DV) SSL certificates confirm that the applicant controls the domain associated with the certificate. The CA uses a relatively simple validation process, making DV certificates faster and easier to issue than higher-validation options. DV certificates encrypt data exchanged between a website and its visitors, but they do not verify the identity of the organization behind the site.
Key features:
- Confirms domain control
- Uses a streamlined issuance process
- Encrypts website-to-visitor connections
Best for:
- Blogs
- Personal websites
- Informational websites
- Small websites that do not require a verified organizational identity
Organization Validated (OV) SSL certificates
Organization Validated (OV) SSL certificates verify both domain control and information about the organization requesting the certificate. During the validation process, the CA verifies key business details and confirms that the applicant controls the domain. This provides additional assurance that a legitimate organization operates the website.
Key features:
- Verifies organization identity
- Confirms domain ownership or control
- Includes verified organizational information in the certificate
Best for:
- Public-facing business websites
- Service businesses
- Organizations that collect customer information
OV certificates are a good choice for business websites that need more identity assurance than DV certificates provide.
Extended Validation (EV) SSL certificates
Extended Validation (EV) SSL certificates use the most comprehensive identity verification process of the three validation levels. Before issuing the certificate, the CA performs additional checks to confirm the organization’s legal identity, operational existence, and authority to request the certificate. EV certificates provide the highest level of identity assurance among DV, OV, and EV certificates, but they do not provide stronger encryption than DV or OV certificates.
Key features:
- Requires extensive organizational validation
- Uses a formal verification process
- Provides the highest level of identity assurance among SSL validation levels
Best for:
- eCommerce businesses
- Financial institutions and other high-trust environments
- Organizations that handle sensitive data
- Services involving particularly sensitive interactions, such as access to medical records
Although EV certificates involve more rigorous verification, modern browsers generally no longer display the prominent visual indicators that once distinguished EV certificates from other SSL certificate types.
Regardless of SSL type, these features provide trust and security for your website that can assure your customers.
Our Senior Product Director, Anthony Matera, advises on which security features are non-negotiable for any business website: “SSL is configured, and you have the level of SSL to establish appropriate trust. Malware scanning is setup and you have a plan for mitigation through automated services or webmaster review. Make sure you back up your site. When all else fails, a clean copy of your site might be the best and fastest way to get the site up and running after a malware attack.”
SSL certificates for web environments
SSL certificates also differ in what they protect. Coverage type depends on how many domains or subdomains you need to secure and how those domains relate to one another. This choice is separate from the validation level. For example, a business can choose an OV certificate and then select a single-domain, wildcard, or multi-domain certificate based on its website structure.
Single-domain SSL certificates
Single-domain SSL certificates protect a specific domain name or the names explicitly included in the certificate. They are a practical choice for website owners who manage one primary website and do not need to secure multiple domains or numerous subdomains.
Best for:
- Website owners managing one primary website
- Simple domain environments
- Businesses that only need to protect one domain
Single-domain SSL certificates offer a straightforward and cost-effective option for websites with limited domain requirements.
Wildcard SSL certificates
Wildcard SSL certificates secure a primary domain and its subdomains using a single certificate. For example, a wildcard certificate for *.example.com can protect subdomains such as shop.example.com, blog.example.com, and support.example.com. This approach simplifies certificate management by reducing the need for separate certificates for each subdomain. Wildcard certificates typically cover subdomains at one level under the main domain.
Best for:
- Businesses operating multiple subdomains
- Websites that expect to add more subdomains over time
- Organizations seeking simpler certificate management within a single domain structure
Multi-domain SSL certificates
Multi-domain SSL certificates protect multiple distinct domain names with a single certificate. Unlike wildcard certificates, which focus on subdomains under one domain, multi-domain certificates can cover separate domains such as example.com, example.net, and anotherbrand.com. These certificates typically use subject alternative names (SANs) to specify the domains they protect.
Best for:
- Businesses managing multiple websites
- Organizations with multiple brands
- Companies that operate several domain names and want to manage them under a single certificate
Multi-domain SSL certificates can simplify certificate administration for organizations that maintain multiple websites across different domains.
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Factors to consider before buying an SSL certificate
Start by matching the available SSL certificate options to your website structure, business needs, and validation requirements.
- Website type: Consider whether you run an informational website, business website, eCommerce store, or a website that handles sensitive data.
- Validation requirements: Determine whether visitors need verification of your business identity or whether domain validation provides sufficient assurance.
- Number of domains: Decide whether you need to protect a single domain or multiple websites with different domain names.
- Number of subdomains: Consider whether a wildcard certificate would simplify protection across multiple subdomains.
- Trust requirements: Evaluate how much identity assurance customers expect when interacting with your website.
- Budget: Balance the certificate cost against the level of validation and coverage your website actually needs.
- Certificate management: Consider whether managing multiple certificates would create unnecessary administrative work as your website grows.
Matera also notes some security tips you can employ to keep your site safe: “Use common password best practices, utilize 2FA, ensure your site and language versions are up to date. After initial creation, log into your site periodically to review and make updates.”
What other factors make your website trustworthy?
While SSL certificates are important website security factors, there are other factors to consider if you want to build a trustworthy website. But put simply, 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
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 preferences. They should also come with easy-to-find settings that allow visitors to change their choices.
Failure to address these 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.
Our guide on creating a trustworthy website can help you learn more about what it takes to build a website that customers willingly return to.
Frequently asked question
SSL certificates are commonly grouped in two ways: validation level and coverage. Domain Validated (DV), Organization Validated (OV), and Extended Validation (EV) certificates differ based on how extensively the certificate authority (CA) verifies the applicant. Single-domain, wildcard, and multi-domain certificates differ based on the domains or subdomains they protect.
The right SSL certificate depends on your validation requirements and website structure. A single-domain certificate protects one domain, a wildcard certificate secures multiple subdomains under the same domain, and a multi-domain certificate covers multiple distinct domains. You should also consider your business type, website purpose, and identity-verification needs.
Not necessarily. Single-domain SSL certificates are a good choice when you need to protect only one domain. Wildcard SSL certificates are typically a better option when you manage multiple subdomains under the same primary domain and want simpler certificate management.
No. DV, OV, and EV certificates differ primarily in how extensively the CA verifies the applicant’s identity. They do not inherently provide stronger encryption than one another. The main difference is the level of identity assurance they offer.
It depends on the website’s needs. A DV certificate can be sufficient for a small informational business website that primarily needs an encrypted connection. Businesses that want additional identity assurance or handle sensitive customer interactions may prefer an OV or EV certificate.
Yes. A multi-domain SSL certificate can protect multiple distinct domain names under a single certificate. This can simplify certificate management for businesses that operate multiple websites, brands, or domains.
Not always. A standard wildcard SSL certificate typically covers first-level subdomains under a specified domain, such as shop.example.com and blog.example.com. It does not automatically cover deeper subdomains, such as account.shop.example.com. Always verify the certificate’s coverage before purchasing.
No. Wildcard SSL certificates are designed to protect subdomains within a single domain structure. If you need to secure multiple distinct domains, such as example.com and anotherbrand.com, a multi-domain SSL certificate is typically the more appropriate choice.
Choose the SSL certificate that fits your website
Choosing the right SSL certificate comes down to two key questions:
- How much identity validation does your business need?
- Which domains or subdomains need protection?
The best SSL certificate is not necessarily the most complex or expensive option. It is the one that matches your website structure, business requirements, and trust needs.
Explore our SSL certificates and choose the level of validation and coverage that best fits how your business operates online.
