It is an admitted fact that SSL certificates may appear to be complex when all you need to do is secure your website. You are aware that you need one, and perhaps you have heard of variations thereof, wildcard, multi-domain and EV certificates. However, there is one huge question that arises: Does the type of the domain you own influence the type of the cheap wildcard SSL that you should go for?
The forthright response is yes, the manner of configuring your domain definitely has a part to play in selection of suitable SSL certificate. What I mean is, when we say, for example, the phrase, how that works, you may not know what we mean and that is what we are going to do in simple and conversational terms.
In the first place, what is a domain type?
When one refers to the type of domain, they are normally alluding to the way your web site name is written. Do you have only one domain such as mysite.com? Do you use subdomains e.g. shop.mysite.com or blog.mysite.com? Or are you an owner of a number of absolutely different domains as myportfolio.net, mybrand.co.ke and myservices.org?
Depending on the number and the structure of your domains, they directly affect the type of an SSL certificate that will be most suitable to you.
Now, let us examine the typical situations and find the adequate type of SSL they demand.
Provided that you have only a single domain
Suppose you have an ordinary site, such as a blog, an online profile or a personal business page. Something such as www.yourname.com. You are not using any subdomains and you do not intend to use some. Your ideal match, in this case, is the Single Domain SSL Certificate. It will obtain that single domain with both its versions www and non www.
It is the least expensive avenue of approach. It will suffice when one is new in this business and has a small site as it does not over complicate matters.
In case of using subdomains
but now what happens when you have multiple subdomains on your site such as login.my-site.com, store.my-site.com or blog.my-site.com? Do you require individual SSL certificate per each one? Thankfully, no. Here a Wildcard SSL Certificate comes in handy. It protects a single primary domain and all its subdomains literally not worrying about their amount.
Therefore, rather than getting a certificate with every subdomain, there is the use of the wildcard SSL to represent those individual certificates. The option is very good when it comes to expanding websites or businesses that have separate parts such as support, payments, or community pages.
In case you own some other domains
Perhaps, you own several websites with different names such as mycompany.com, myshop.co.ke, and myevents.org. They are not subdomains; those are entirely different domain names. Here, you should ask a Multi-Domain SSL Certificate, also written as a SAN (Subject Alternative Name) (certificate).
It gives you an opportunity to obtain multiple unrelated domain names using the single cheap wildcard SSL. This eliminates time and costs particularly when you have a lot of sites to maintain on behalf of your business or clients.
Does validation also matter?
It clear that the structure of your domain definitely influences your License of SSL. Domain structure however is not the only influence. Validation level also exists which is a question of level of trust and identity information displayed on your site.
But what is the relationship between validation and your type of domain? Consider what your web site does. When this is personal information being gathered or money passing through the hands, an EV or OV certificate may be more appropriate, although this happens whether you have a single domain or a multi-domain. However, when it is only sharing of content, a DV certificate will suffice in many instances.
Haven t yet decided what to choose? It takes only the following questions to ask yourself:
- Am I having one domain, subdomains or many domains?
- Does my site store sensitive data such as the credit cards?
- Would I like to show greater confidence in visitors or clients?
Your choice will be made from your answers.
Conclusion
Yes, at the end of the day, the domain type contributes a lot to the choice of the cheap wildcard SSL certificate. A single-page site requires an entirely different thing, compared with a platform that has several subdomains or domains. And though all those options can be rather confusing, it is better to align the certificate with the reality of your environment and expectations.
Begin with how your field is organized. Check how much trust and verification your audience demands of you. The right SSL certificate exists and when you make a smart choice, your site becomes much safer, trustworthy and able to rise confidently.
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