Why Choosing the Type of SSL Certificate Matters More Than SSL Itself?
When it comes to website security, the first thing that comes to mind is installing an SSL certificate. But the truth is that not all SSL certificates are created equal. Making the wrong choice among SSL types can both impose extra costs on you and fail to properly build visitor trust. In this article, in simple language and with practical examples, we will examine the differences between DV, OV, EV, and Wildcard certificates and help you make the best decision based on your site type.
Many users assume that any certificate that shows a green padlock in the browser is sufficient. But if your site is an online store or processes sensitive user information, a simple DV certificate may not create the necessary trust. In the following, we will examine the precise criteria for selection.
Getting to Know the Four Main Types of SSL Certificates
In general, SSL types are divided into four main categories, each offering a different level of validation and domain coverage. Understanding these differences is the first step toward making the right choice.
1. DV (Domain Validation) Certificate — Fast and Economical
The Domain Validation certificate is the simplest and most common type of SSL. In this method, the Certificate Authority (CA) only verifies your domain ownership. This verification is usually done through one of these methods:
- Sending an email to the admin address registered in the domain's WHOIS
- Placing a specific text file in the website's root directory
- Adding a TXT record in the domain's DNS settings
The issuance process usually takes anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours, making it ideal for small websites, blogs, and test projects. The important point is that a DV certificate provides no information about the legal identity or organization behind the site and only guarantees the security of the connection.
Practical example: If you have a personal blog with a simple contact form and no online sales, a DV certificate is completely sufficient. You can even use Let's Encrypt for free, which provides the same DV level.
2. OV (Organization Validation) Certificate — Organizational Trust
With an Organization Validation certificate, the issuing authority verifies not only your domain ownership but also the existence and validity of your organization. This verification includes matching the company's registered information with official databases, making phone calls to organization officials, and reviewing registration documents.
The issuance process usually takes 1 to 5 business days and requires providing documents such as the official gazette, certificate of incorporation, and national ID number. When users click on the green padlock in the browser, they will see your organization's name, which builds more trust.
Who needs OV? Companies with online registration forms, corporate websites that provide contact information and services, and organizations that want to officially verify their identity.
3. EV (Extended Validation) Certificate — The Highest Level of Trust
The Extended Validation certificate offers the highest level of validation. The issuance process is very strict and includes legal and financial checks, as well as direct phone calls with senior organization managers. The result of these checks is displaying the full organization name in the browser's address bar in green (on desktop browsers).
This type of certificate is recommended for websites dealing with large sums of money — such as banks, payment gateways, cryptocurrency exchanges, and large online stores. Research has shown that displaying the organization name in the address bar can increase conversion rates by up to 30%, as users feel more secure.
Important note: EV certificates are usually the most expensive option, and the issuance process may take 3 to 10 business days. If your site is newly launched and doesn't yet have significant traffic, it might be better to start with DV or OV and upgrade later.
4. Wildcard Certificate — Subdomain Coverage
A Wildcard certificate is an SSL certificate that covers a main domain and all of its subdomains at one level. For example, a Wildcard certificate for *.example.com protects blog.example.com, shop.example.com, and mail.example.com.
This type of certificate can be issued at any of the DV, OV, or EV levels. Its main advantage is reducing cost and management complexity; instead of purchasing and installing multiple separate certificates, you only manage one.
Practical example: Suppose you have an online store with the following subdomains:
example.com (main page)
shop.example.com (store)
blog.example.com (blog)
support.example.com (support)
api.example.com (API for mobile app)With a Wildcard certificate, all these subdomains are covered with a single certificate. However, note that Wildcard only covers one level of subdomains; that is, *.example.com does not include sub.shop.example.com.
Quick Comparison Table of SSL Types
For quick decision-making, consider this comparison table:
- DV: Instant issuance (a few minutes to a few hours), low or free cost, domain validation only, suitable for blogs and informational sites
- OV: Issuance in 1 to 5 days, moderate cost, domain and organization validation, suitable for corporate and e-commerce sites
- EV: Issuance in 3 to 10 days, high cost, full legal validation, displays organization name in the address bar, suitable for banks and payment gateways
- Wildcard: Covers all subdomains, higher cost compared to a single certificate, suitable for sites with multiple subdomains
Selection Guide Based on Your Site Type
Now that you're familiar with SSL types, let's decide based on common scenarios.
Personal Blog or Portfolio Site
If your site only provides text and image content and has no login forms or payments, a DV certificate is the best choice. You can use free Let's Encrypt, or if you need technical support, purchase an inexpensive DV certificate from a reputable CA. The important point is that even for simple sites, SSL installation is essential; because Google penalizes sites without SSL in search results.
Small and Medium Online Store
For online stores with online payments, at least an OV certificate is recommended. If you use an intermediary payment gateway like Zarinpal or Behpardakht, transactions are processed on the gateway's server, and your site's SSL is only for protecting user information during login and registration. In this case, OV provides a good balance between cost and trust.
If your store directly receives bank card information (which usually requires special permits), definitely use EV.
Corporate and Organizational Website
For corporate websites that feature services, employment forms, and customer portals, an OV certificate is a smart choice. Displaying the company name in the certificate details assures customers that they are dealing with a legal and registered entity.
Website with Multiple Subdomains
If your site architecture uses multiple subdomains, a Wildcard certificate at the OV or EV level is the best option. For example, if you have a SaaS platform where each customer receives service on a separate subdomain (customer1.example.com, customer2.example.com), Wildcard is essential.
Common Mistakes in Choosing and Installing SSL
Over the years of working in hosting, we have encountered the following recurring mistakes that you should avoid:
- Buying EV for small sites: The high cost and long issuance time for a site that hasn't yet earned user trust is a waste of resources. Upgrade as your site grows.
- Using Wildcard when you only have one subdomain: If you only have
blog.example.com, a single certificate is cheaper. - Installing SSL on the main domain but not subdomains: If you use a single certificate and have a subdomain you link to, make sure to get a separate certificate for it or upgrade to Wildcard.
- Forgetting timely renewal: SSL certificates are usually valid for one year. Late renewal causes a security error to appear in users' browsers and destroys their trust. To prevent this issue, set a renewal reminder 30 days before expiration.
Important Technical Tips for SSL Installation and Management
After choosing the right type, keep the following technical points in mind:
- Always use a reputable Certificate Authority (CA). Browsers are limited to their list of trusted CAs.
- After installation, be sure to apply a 301 redirect from HTTP to HTTPS in the
.htaccessfile or web server settings so that traffic is transferred to the secure version. - Enable HSTS (HTTP Strict Transport Security) settings so that the browser always uses HTTPS.
- If you use a CDN, make sure the SSL certificate is also installed on the CDN so that the connection between the user and the CDN, as well as between the CDN and the origin server, is secure.
To install a certificate on Apache, you typically need three files: the main certificate, the intermediate certificate, and the private key. The recommended configuration looks like this:
<VirtualHost *:443>
ServerName example.com
DocumentRoot /var/www/html
SSLEngine on
SSLCertificateFile /etc/ssl/certs/example_com.crt
SSLCertificateKeyFile /etc/ssl/private/example_com.key
SSLCertificateChainFile /etc/ssl/certs/example_com.ca-bundle
# Additional security settings
SSLProtocol all -SSLv3 -TLSv1 -TLSv1.1
SSLCipherSuite ECDHE-ECDSA-AES128-GCM-SHA256:ECDHE-RSA-AES128-GCM-SHA256
</VirtualHost>Final Words
Choosing the right option among SSL types depends on your site's actual needs, not the maximum possible security level. With a simple assessment of content type, presence of data entry forms, online payments, and the number of subdomains, you can make an informed decision. Remember that an SSL certificate is an investment in user trust, and making a smart choice both optimizes costs and provides a better user experience.
If you need help in the process of selecting or installing an SSL certificate, the ServerNet technical support team is ready to provide you with free consultation. Alongside our hosting services, we have also made it possible for you to install and manage all types of SSL certificates, so you can focus on growing your online business with peace of mind.