As we know, there are several types of SSL certificates. We will discuss the type that is related to the management of domains and subdomains. There are three types of SSL certificates for domains and subdomains management.
In this article, we will discuss these three types of SSL certificates and their advantages and disadvantages.
1. Single Domain SSL Certificate
It is also known as the Standard SSL certificate. A single-domain SSL certificate can only secure the single domain of a website. You can only manage a single website either a WWW version or a non-WWW version. It is widely used for a basic website, blogs, or small-scale businesses.
Therefore, it means if your website name is www.goal.com, with its SSL certificate you cannot manage blog.goal.com. It can only secure a domain that you have requested in the Certificate Signing Request (CSR).
Examples of Single Domain SSL Certificate
Some of its examples are the following:
- Comodo Positive SSL
- RapidSSL Standard SSL Certificate
- GeoTrust Quick SSL Premium
Advantages of Single Domain SSL Certificate
A single-domain SSL certificate has many advantages, and we will discuss these in the following paragraph.
Domain
It can secure a single domain but this domain can be a www or a non-www version.
Encryption
A single-domain SSL certificate uses the strongest encryption method available. It uses 256-bit encryption, which makes it impossible to breach.
Time-Saving
The time required for issuance is an important factor to consider while choosing an SSL certificate. You can obtain a single-domain SSL certificate within minutes.
Secured Site Seal
You can have a secured site seal on purchasing a single-domain SSL certificate. It can increase the trust between the user and the website.
Compatibility
Compatibility with browsers is the most important thing to consider. A single-domain SSL certificate is compatible with almost all major browsers.
Support Multiple Types
It can secure multiple types of websites such as www.domain.com and domain.com.
Validation
A single-domain SSL certificate is available with all three types of validation. You can obtain it with Domain Validation, Organization Validation, and Extended Validation.
Money-Back Guarantee
You can enjoy a money-back guarantee on purchasing a single-domain SSL certificate. If you are not satisfied with its services, you can avail of the money-back guarantee within 30 days.
Trust Indicators
A single-domain SSL certificate comes with trust Indicators. You can see a padlock right next to the address. It helps you win the trust of potential customers.
Disadvantages of Single Domain SSL Certificate
Some of the disadvantages of a single-domain SSL certificate are given below.
Domain Management
As of its name, you can only secure or manage a single domain while using a single-domain SSL certificate.
Subdomain Management
A single-domain SSL certificate is not capable of securing multiple subdomains under a domain. It has been designed to secure a single subdomain.
2. Multi-Domain SSL Certificate
If you want to secure multiple websites with a single SSL certificate, a Multi-Domain SSL certificate is the way to go. It can secure up to 250 domains. A Multi-Domain SSL certificate can also secure multiple subdomains of all levels. That is the reason why it is popular among medium-scale businesses that are managing more than one website.
It uses Subject Alternative Names (SANs) for securing the multiple domains and subdomains. You can also call them Subject Alternative Names (SANs) or Unified Communications Certificate (UCC). It can save you money and time as it is securing multiple domains and subdomains.
Example
For example, domain name of your website is www.goal.com, a multi-domain SSL certificate can secure the following as well:
- goal.com
- blog.goal.com
- example.com
- blog.goal.com
Examples of Multi-Domain SSL Certificate
Some of its examples are listed below:
Comodo Positive SSL Multi-Domain
GeoTrust Multi-Domain SSL
DigiCert Multi-Domain SSL
Advantages of Single Domain SSL Certificate
A multi-domain SSL certificate has many advantages and disadvantages, and we will discuss these in the following paragraph.
Domain
It can secure multiple domains and subdomains with a multi-domain SSL certificate. You can secure up to 250 domains with a single SSL certificate.
Encryption
As in a single-domain SSL certificate, a multi-domain SSL certificate also uses the strongest encryption method. A multi-domain SSL certificate uses 256-bit encryption, which makes it impossible for attackers to breach. It also uses 2048-bit digital signatures.
Time-Saving
The time required for issuance is an important factor to consider while choosing an SSL certificate. You can obtain a multi-domain SSL certificate in one to two working days. It can save you time as it is securing multiple domains and subdomains.
Trust of the Browsers
A multi-domain SSL certificate is trusted by almost all major browsers. It is also compatible with almost all major browsers.
Validation
A multi-domain SSL certificate is available with all three types of validation. You can have a Domain Validated, Organization Validated, and Extended Validated multi-domain SSL certificate.
Money-Back Guarantee
You can enjoy a money-back guarantee on purchasing a multi-domain SSL certificate. If you are not satisfied with its services, you can avail of the money-back guarantee within 30 days.
Trust Indicators
A multi-domain SSL certificate comes with trust Indicators. You can see a padlock right next to the address. It helps you win the trust of potential customers. It also authenticates the organization.
Validity
A multi-domain SSL certificate is available with one to two years of the validity period.
SEO Boost
By using a multi-domain SSL certificate, you can boost your SEO ranking.
Disadvantages of a Multi-Domain SSL Certificate
There are very few disadvantages of a multi-domain SSL certificate.
Update
Updating the certificate for adding and removing the websites is a tough job. For every addition and removal, you need to re-issue and replace the SSL certificate.
3. Wildcard SSL Certificate
By using a Wildcard SSL certificate, you can secure the main domain and unlimited subdomains under it with a single SSL certificate. It is the most adaptable certificate as compared to other SSL certificates. You only need to add “*” before the domain name for securing unlimited subdomains.
Example
If the name of your website is goal.com, then you can use *.goal.com for securing the following sub-domains.
- goal.com
- example.goal.com
- tips.goal.com
- payment.goal.com
Examples of Wildcard SSL Certificate
Some of the examples of Wildcard SSL certificate are given below:
Comodo Positive SSL Wildcard
Thawte SSL Webserver Wildcard
GlobalSign Domain SSL Wildcard
Advantages of a Wildcard SSL Certificate
A Wildcard SSL certificate has many advantages, and we will discuss these in the following paragraph.
Domain
You can use a Wildcard SSL certificate for securing the main domain and unlimited subdomains under it.
Encryption
As in other SSL certificates, a Wildcard SSL certificate also uses the strongest encryption method. A Wildcard SSL certificate uses 256-bit encryption and 2048-bit digital signatures that make it secure.
Compatibility with Browsers
A Wildcard SSL certificate is compatible with almost 99 percent of major browsers. It is also compatible with the mobile versions of these browsers.
Money-Back Guarantee
Similarly, you can enjoy a money-back guarantee on purchasing a Wildcard SSL certificate. If you are not satisfied with its services, you can avail of the money-back guarantee within 30 days.
Authentication
A Wildcard SSL certificate comes with trust indicators and authentication. Along with a padlock right next to the address it also authenticates your organization.
Secured Site Seal
Therefore, you can have a secured site seal while using a Wildcard SSL certificate. It can increase the trust between the user and the website.
Disadvantages of a Wildcard SSL Certificate
There are some disadvantages of a Wildcard SSL certificate.
Validation
A Wildcard SSL certificate is available only in two types of validation. It is not available with Extended Validation which is a huge drawback.
Domains
Moreover, it can only secure the first-level subdomains. If you want to secure different level subdomains, you will require different multi-domain wildcards for multi-level sub-domains.
Risk
Hence, unlike other SSL certificates, the private key of the Wildcard SSL certificate is shared with the vendor which can increase the risk of misuse.