Types of SSL Certificates Explained Simply

Types of SSL Certificates Explained

An SSL certificate is essential for securing your website and building visitor trust. But not all SSLs are created equal. Let’s explore the different types of SSL certificates, what they do, and which one your site needs.

🔒 1. Domain Validated (DV) SSL

Best for: Blogs, personal websites
Features:

Basic encryption
Quick issuance (minutes)
Only verifies domain ownership

✅ Affordable and easy to set up — ideal for beginners.

🛡️ 2. Organization Validated (OV) SSL

Best for: Business websites
Features:

Medium-level encryption
Validates domain and organization identity
Takes 1–2 days to issue

✅ Adds business credibility and trust.

🏢 3. Extended Validation (EV) SSL

Best for: eCommerce & financial sites
Features:

Highest level of validation
Green address bar (on some browsers)
Verifies legal, physical, and operational existence

✅ Boosts user trust and brand authority.

🌐 4. Wildcard SSL

Best for: Securing a domain and all its subdomains
Example: www.yourdomain.com, blog.yourdomain.com, store.yourdomain.com

✅ Saves money and simplifies management.

📦 5. Multi-Domain SSL (SAN/UCC)

Best for: Businesses managing multiple websites
Features:

Secures up to 100 domains with one certificate
Flexible and scalable

✅ Ideal for agencies, SaaS platforms, or large networks.

✅ Final Thoughts

Choosing the right SSL certificate depends on your website type, scale, and security needs. Whether you’re running a blog or an enterprise store, there’s an SSL for you.

Types of SSL Certificates Explained