Your Questions, our answers

• How do I install my SSL Certificate?

  When your SSL certificate is issued, we send an email to let you know. What happens next depends on where your site is hosted and the options you chose when you bought the certificate.

  If you chose web hosting, Website Builder or Online Store when you ordered your cert, we take care of everything for you. If you host your website with another company or use our VPS or Dedicated Servers, learn more here.

  To install an SSL certificate on Parallels Plesk Panel, cPanel and Microsoft IIS, please look here.

• What is an SSL Certificate?

  SSL stands for Secure Socket Layer. It might sound complex, but it's really not. SSL Certificates validate your website's identity, and encrypt the information visitors send to, or receive from, your site. This keeps thieves from spying on any exchange between you and your shoppers.

  When you have an SSL Certificate protecting your website, your customers can rest assured that the information they enter on any secured page is private and can't be viewed by cyber crooks. GoDaddy makes it easy to install your certificate and secure your server

  For more information, see Defining SSL Certificates.

• What are the benefits of having an SSL Certificate on my website?

  GoDaddy SSL Certificates inspire trust and show visitors that you value their privacy. An SSL Cert protects your customers' sensitive information such as their name, address, password, or credit card number by encrypting the data during transmission from their computer to your web server. SSL is the standard for web security, and a Server Certificate is required by most merchant account services – you'll need one if you plan to accept credit cards on your website.

  For more information, see How does an SSL certificate work?

• How will people know my website is safe?

  How you build your website is entirely up to you. In fact, most basic secure websites can be hand-coded using HTML.

  When a visitor enters an SSL-protected page on your website, their browser bar displays a padlock icon and the https:// prefix in the URL address. While most Internet users know to look for those SSL indicators, you can also add a site seal to your website to show visitors your site is verified and secured. Visitors can click the seal to view your certificate's status and details, seeing for themselves that it's safe to send sensitive information to your website. Websites protected by GoDaddy's Premium EV SSL display a green browser bar as well, giving users the green light.

  For more information, see Verifying a Certificate's Validity on Your Computer.

• What is the difference between Standard SSL and Premium SSL?

  All SSL-protected sites display the https:// prefix in the URL address bar. Sites protected with a Premium EV SSL Certificate display a green browser bar to quickly assure visitors that the organization's legal and physical existence was verified according to strict industry standards.

  GoDaddy’s Premium EV SSL Certificate involves the most extensive vetting process. We verify the control of the domain and legitimacy of your company by validating the legal name, address, phone number and other business information. The process takes about 30 days, but we've got you covered during that time. EV SSL Certs come with a free Standard SSL to use during the vetting process, so you can keep your transactions secure while you wait.

  For more information, see What are the advantages of a Premium Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificate for your business?

• Why should I buy an SSL from GoDaddy?

  For one thing, our SSL certs cover unlimited secure servers. They support up to 256-bit encryption and they're recognized by all of the major desktop and mobile browsers on the market. Plus, they're backed by the industry's best 24/7 phone service and support. There's absolutely no technical difference between GoDaddy SSL Certificates and those offered by other companies – they simply cost less. Is it any wonder we're the largest provider of net new SSL Certificates in the world?

  For more information, see What is the encryption strength of your SSL certificates?

• Which SSL do I need?

  Answer these questions to help find the SSL you need:

  1. Where are you located?

     Our certificates are issued worldwide with a few exceptions. Check this list to see if you're covered.

  2. Do you have a business or personal website?

     Unless you sell things on your personal website, a Standard SSL (DV) is fine. This is also true for informational business sites. eCommerce websites should use a single-domain Standard SSL (DV) or Premium SSL (EV).

  3. Which type of web hosting server do you use?

     Our SSL certificates work on most hosting and server configurations. To protect multiple domains on Microsoft’s Exchange Server 2007, Exchange Server 2010 or Live® Communications Server, use a Multiple Domain UCC SSL.

  4. How many different domains do you need to protect?

     Wildcard SSLs cover multiple subdomains. For example, use a Wildcard to protect *.coolexample.com, which would cover shop.coolexample.com, www.coolexample.com and any other subdomains.

     UCC SSLs will cover multiple domains, subdomains and websites. For example, you can secure www.coolexample.com, mail.coolexample.com, and www.awesomeexample.com.

  5. Do you need an SSL certificate that supports Intel vPro technology for remote PC management?

     You’ll need our Deluxe Certificate (OV).

  6. Do you run an Open Source project?

     Apply now to get a FREE 1-year Standard SSL Certificate.

     For more, see Finding the SSL You Need.

• How long will I have to wait for my SSL certificate?

  Standard SSLs (DV) usually take 5 minutes or less. Deluxe SSLs (OV) take 3-5 business days, as we’re validating not just domain ownership but also the existence of the organization or business on the SSL application. In both cases, you can shorten your wait by making sure the domain contact information listed in the WhoIs is up-to-date.

  For Premium (EV) certificates, there is an extensive vetting process that starts with an in-depth application. Before you start, pull together details about your business, such as registration number, incorporation or registration agent and any relevant jurisdiction information.

• How do I create a Certificate Signing Request (CSR)?

  This depends on the software you use on your web server. Learn more

  To learn how to generate a CSR on Plesk Panel, cPanel and Microsoft IIS, please look here.

• What’s a Unified Communications Certificate (UCC)?

  A Unified Communications Certificate (UCC) is an SSL that secures multiple domain names as well as multiple host names within a domain name. A UCC SSL lets you secure a primary domain name and up to 99 additional Subject Alternative Names (SANs) with a single SSL. For example you can use a UCC to protect www.domains1.com, www.domains2.net and www.domains3.org.

  UCCs are compatible with shared hosting and ideal for Microsoft® Exchange Server 2007, Exchange Server 2010, and Microsoft Live® Communications Server. UCCs are compatible with shared hosting. However, the site seal and certificate "Issued To" information will only list the primary domain name. Please note that any secondary hosting accounts will be listed in the certificate as well, so if you do not want sites to appear 'connected' to each other, you should not use this type of certificate.

• What is a Wildcard SSL Certificate?

  A Wildcard SSL Cert protects your primary domain, and an unlimited number of its subdomains. For example, a single Wildcard Certificate can secure both www.coolexample.com and blog.coolexample.com.

  Wildcard Certificates secure the common name and all subdomains at the level you specify when you submit your SSL request.

• How many separate domains can I protect with HTTPS?

  Depending on how your website is configured, you might want to use something other than a single-domain SSL certificate.

  • Wildcard SSLs cover all of a domain name’s subdomains. For example, you can secure *.coolexample.com, which would cover shop.coolexample.com, www.coolexample.com and any other subdomains.

  • UCC SSLs can cover multiple subdomains, unique domain names and websites. For example, you can secure www.coolexample.com, mail.coolexample.com and www.awesomeexample.com.

• Want to know more?

  Visit our Knowledge Base to learn more about SSL certificate setup, usage and management.