Types of SSL Certificates: Which One Is Right for Your Site? A complete guide

With the wide range of SSL certificate providers, deciding which one to go with can be challenging. If you aren’t careful, you might spend more money than you need or even choose a provider that isn’t the best fit for your site and your industry.

To help you find the right SSL certificate provider, here’s a complete guide to all SSL certificates and how to choose the right one.

What is SSL?

SSL stands for Secure Socket Layer. This protects your browser’s information while sending it across the web to the server. When you use the internet, your web browser uses SSL encryption to communicate securely with the website you browse. The duty of SSL is to ensure that all data passing between you & a site is protected against man-in-the-middle attacks.

SSL provides your visitors with a safer online experience. It is important to choose the right type of certificate for your site and ensure it is properly installed.

Why do you Need an SSL Certificate?

An SSL certificate ensures that sensitive data between a web server and a browser remains confidential and authentic. You can use an SSL certificate with any server or hosting service if it supports HTTPS protocol. Here’s why you need SSL certificates:

• Beneficial from an SEO point of view: Having an SSL Certificate will help improve your website’s ranking on Google Search Engine Result Pages (SERP) by adding a green padlock icon next to your URL in search results.
• Add trust factor: When consumers come across your site, they want to know they are safe while entering their credit card information, personal information etc., so having an SSL Certificate will provide that peace of mind and give them confidence in using your site.
• Integrity and authenticity: It provides encryption which ensures that users’ private information cannot be accessed during transmission over the internet.
• Prevents from hackers: If you have an SSL Certificate installed on your website, then hackers would not be able to steal user data such as usernames, passwords, emails etc., since this kind of information would become encrypted.

Types of SSL Certificates

The types of SSL certificates are categorized into two types: validation levels and multiple domains/subdomains. You can select an SSL certificate depending on whether your website or service has just one domain, many domains, or both (multi-domain).

Category 1: SSL Validation Levels

Three validation levels are available for this SSL Type:

• Domain Validation SSL Certificates

These are also known as DV SSL certificates. To get a DV certificate, you need to prove that you have ownership over a specific domain name by adding public DNS records that link the domain name with its IP address.

The verification is done via email and does not require further investigation from the CA. This is also the fastest and most cost-effective way to obtain an SSL certificate.

This certificate is great for internal testing domains and blog posts, as they provide full encryption and basic trust indicators. A DV certificate is not recommended for eCommerce sites that store financial or personal information.

• Organization Validation SSL Certificates

These are also known as OV SSL certificates. OV certifications require more verification than DV certs because they provide higher security and trust assurance features like company name, address, phone number and email contact details – not only for you but also for all employees in the company’s administrative roles who handle data protection duties.

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OV certificates are more expensive and time-consuming than DV certificates because a thorough verification process needs to be done. Websites with OV SSL certificates will show the business’s location information under the Subject section. This SSL type makes the entity look more legit to visitors.

It is best for small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) that deal with customer personal information.

• Extended Validation (EV) SSL certificates

It offers an additional layer of identity assurance by showing physical address and phone number information alongside common organization details. In addition, they include a check on a green address bar that can be publicly viewed and verified by visitors.

This special attention gives users greater confidence when conducting eCommerce transactions over your website because they can feel sure it is always protected.

According to usability research, EV SSL certificates increase people’s confidence in their financial and personal data. This makes them more likely to convert, make purchases, or provide information on your site.

This validation process is quite simple if you’re a legitimate business that is well-organized. Our server support team can assist you with any questions or difficulties. We can also help you get your EV certificate quickly issued!

Category 2: Multiple Domains / Subdomains

• Single Domain SSL Certificate

As the name implies, it secures a single site and all pages within that domain. It won’t protect any subdomains.

For instance, if you have an SSL certificate for the domain abc.com, it’ll also cover all the domain pages, such as abc.com/blogs/. It won’t cover subdomains like blog.kinsta.com.

• Wildcard SSL Certificate

Wildcard SSL certificates can be used to protect and secure all subdomains that are first-level on your website. You can protect as many subdomains as possible with a single wildcard certificate.

You can have multiple subdomains, such as blog.abc.com, buy.abc.com, or careers.abc.com. All subdomains, as well as all other domains at the same level, would be covered.

• Multi-Domain SSL Certificate

Multi-Domain certificates allow you to secure unlimited subdomains and other domains at different levels on your site. This is perfect for companies that want to secure all pages on their website, including those accessed through subdomains.

You can easily secure up to 250 domains and unlimited subdomains without managing multiple certificates. This will save you time, money, effort, & hard earned money.

How to Choose the Right SSL Certificate for your Website?

Choosing the right SSL Certificate ensures your website remains safe and secure. Each type has its benefits and limitations. Whether you’re using a shared or dedicated hosting, there is an option that will suit your needs.

• What level of visitor trust do you want?

All the SSL Certificates offer session security and encrypt all information submitted to the website. However, they differ in how much identity information is included in certificates and how they are displayed in browsers. From highest to lowest, there are three trust levels for SSL Certificates: Extended Validation, Organization Validated, & Domain Validated (“DV”).

 

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When deciding on trust levels, you should ask yourself, “How much trust do I want to convey to my visitors?” Also, consider how crucial your brand/business identity is to your web presence. Is your brand to be displayed in the browser’s address bar or included in the certificate? Is it important for you to tie your brand identity to your domain?

• What number of domains do you need to protect with this certificate?

If you need only one domain (e.g. If you only need to secure one domain (e.g……. abc.com), then you can purchase either a single domain or a standard certificate. There are three trust levels available: DV, OV or EV.

However, if you require multiple domains (e.g. For regional sites, you can use.com,.co.uk, or.de. You can also secure multiple sub-domains, such as.example.com. for customer areas – login-secure.abc.com), you should consider purchasing a Multi-domain Certificate or Wildcard can also go awesome here. Using a single certificate to cover multiple domain names is cheaper and simple administration, especially regarding renewal.

• How long you’ll keep your site active

In some cases, web hosting companies charge extra for longer periods (ex. 10 years). Some people prefer to renew their SSL Certificates annually and save money in the long run; others like to commit so that their site will always remain up-to-date. Whatever you choose, check your web hosting company’s policies before committing.

Cloudminister – A Trusted SSL Certificate provider

Cloudminister is an independent company that provides customers with trusted SSL certificates. This is accomplished by partnering with some of the best providers in the industry and focusing on customer service at every turn.

Let us help you decide which type of SSL Certificate is right for your site.