Building trust online starts the moment someone visits your website, and an SSL certificate is one of the most effective ways to show customers their data is safe with you. It encrypts sensitive information, adds a layer of credibility, and can even improve your search rankings. Still, not all SSL certificates are the same. The right one depends on your website’s size, purpose, and how much validation your business needs.
A website without a security certificate is a serious risk
One site, two sites, three sites, or 100. Regardless of your business’s online footprint, choosing the right security certificate is critical to keeping your website secure. It can also lead to significant time and cost savings, boost your Google ranking, and help you establish trust.
Just like you, your customers expect to see that you care enough about their security and privacy to provide them with a secure visit — free from prying eyes ready to steal personal or financial information.
How can you provide this experience? It all begins by choosing GoDaddy as your Certificate Authority (CA). All GoDaddy SSL Certificates offer strong SHA-2 and 2048-bit encryption and hands-on support from our security experts. Learn how to add an SSL to your website in this blog post.
Choosing the right SSL for your business
Your website’s security needs depend on its purpose, size, and how visitors interact with it. From basic validation to advanced protection, each type of SSL certificate offers a different level of security and verification. The most common types of SSL certificates are:
- Domain Validated (DV) SSLs are best for blogs and social websites. They validate domain ownership and are the quickest to issue.
- Wildcard SSLs secure a single domain and all its subdomains under one certificate. They’re ideal for businesses that manage multiple pages or sections under one main domain, such as shop.yourbusiness.com or blog.yourbusiness.com.
- Multi-domain SAN SSLs protect multiple distinct domains and subdomains simultaneously. This option is perfect for organizations running multiple websites under one brand or portfolio.
- Organization Validated (OV) SSLs are best for businesses and organizations because they validate both the site and the company behind it, offering stronger trust signals to visitors.
- Extended Validation (EV) SSLs are best for ecommerce websites. They validate domain ownership and provide top-level verification by displaying your business name in the browser, reassuring customers that their data is protected.
- Easy Managed SSL is the simplest option if you’re not sure where to start. GoDaddy takes care of the installation and maintenance for you, making it a stress-free way to get your website secure and running smoothly.
Let’s take a closer look at each one.
Option #1: Single Domain DV SSL Certificate
The most common SSL certificate option is a single-site domain validated (DV) certificate. Perfect for blog sites or small non-ecommerce business sites, this option provides protection and an SEO boost for those that don’t have complex business requirements.
Option #2: Wildcard SSL Certificate
Before you begin, take into consideration how your web presence is organized. Does your business have a single web address, such as coolexample.com, or do you also provide a mobile site at mobile.coolexample.com, a store at shop.coolexample.com, and perhaps a link to blog.coolexample.com? Each of these will require SSL protection.
With a single WildCard SSL Certificate, you can provide just that.
Your common name and an unlimited number of related subdomains will be secured to the same level, making your visitors’ experience consistent.
Option #3: Multi-Domain SAN SSL Certificate
If your websites include variations beyond subdomains, you’ll want to consider requesting a Multi-Domain SAN SSL Certificate. This option is perfect if you manage a stable of websites with geo-based domains or a variety of top-level domains (TLDs), such as .com, .us, .biz, or .shop.
Also referred to as Unified Communication Certificate SSLs, the basic version of a Multi-Domain SAN SSL Certificate covers up to five websites. Up to 100 websites can be covered for an additional fee. Whenever you host three sites or more, the savings can add up quickly.
Option #4: Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificate
While each GoDaddy SSL Certificate provides a level of trust, the grandaddy of them all is the EV SSL Certificate. This cert tells visitors that your business has endured a stringent, quality-assurance process. It’s not just encryption for your ecommerce transactions; it’s a way to establish credibility as a legitimate business.
Option #5: Organization Validation (OV) SSL
Security-wise, informational business websites with a single domain name need no more than a Standard SSL for domain verification. To boost consumer confidence, however, a non-ecommerce site can benefit greatly from an Organization Validation (OV) SSL.
The familiar padlock will appear in the browser, letting guests know they can enter passwords, submit contact information, or send donations to support your cause. Stand out from the rest by showing your site visitors that they can rest easy. It’s similar to the EV SSL Certificate, just conveniently scaled down for both needs and cost.
Option #6: Managed SSL service
Interested in an SSL certificate for your site but not sure about the installation process? GoDaddy’s easy managed SSL service takes care of everything for you. The setup, installation, and ongoing maintenance are all handled by experts, so you can focus on running your business. This service automatically keeps your certificate up to date, ensuring your website stays protected without any extra effort on your part. It’s the most convenient option for business owners who want reliable security with none of the technical work.
Find the right SSL to boost your website’s trust
Choosing the right SSL certificate is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your website and earn customer trust. Each option offers a different level of security, but they all share the same goal: keeping data safe and building confidence with every visit.
Ready to protect your site and your customers? Get an SSL certificate from GoDaddy and start building a safer, more trusted online experience today.
