An SSL/TLS certificate enables HTTPS. Certificates differ in how much the issuer verifies about your organisation, not in encryption strength.
Types
| Type | Verification | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Domain Validation (DV) | Domain control only | Most business websites and blogs |
| Organisation Validation (OV) | Domain plus organisation details | Businesses wanting extra verification |
| Extended Validation (EV) | Thorough organisation checks | Banks and large enterprises |
Modern browsers show the same padlock for all types, so visitors rarely see the difference.
Free vs paid
Free DV certificates (such as from Let’s Encrypt, often via your host) provide the same encryption as paid DV certificates. Paid options may include warranties, support or organisation validation.
Wildcard and multi-domain
- Wildcard covers all subdomains (*.example.com).
- Multi-domain covers several different domains.
Make sure it works everywhere
Redirect HTTP to HTTPS with our redirect generator, and check URLs with our URL parser. Read switching to HTTPS.
Want the full picture? This article is part of Business websites: the complete guide, our in-depth guide with everything in one place.
