There are three main types of SSL Certificates.  (Secure Socket Layer) Standard, Organizational and Extended Validation.  Each one of these three types can be combined with a Wildcard or Unified Communication SSL or Multi-Domain SSL Certificates (SANs – Subject Alternative Names) service.

Standard SSL

Secures single Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN)

What is it?
A domain validated SSL certificate is given out after a short check by e-mail of the applicant’s reliability. The applicant has to have access to an e-mail address that is connected to the domain name, like for instance support@domainname.com. This way it is possible to check if the applicant is really the owner of the domain name for wich he has requested the certificate.

What are the advantages?
A domain validated SSL certificate is inexpensive and is given out quickly, mostly within only a few minutes.

What are the disadvantages?
Because the check is only minimal, a domain validated SSL certificate does not really give a proper guarantee to your visitor that your website is completely reliable.

When is this is a good choice?
If you only need a SSL certificate for the protection of your data transmissions, and there is no need to persuade your visitors to commit some sort of action (like buying one of your products), then a domain validated SSL certificate will give you the protection that you need.

www.yourdomain.com

Wildcard SSL

Issued to *.yourdomain.com to secure unlimited subdomains

www.yourdomain.com
secure.yourdomain.com
anything.yourdomain.com

Organization SSL

Secures single Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN). It contains your authenticated Organization details. Can be combined with a Wildcard and Unified Communication (SAN) SSL.

What is it?
An organization validated SSL certificate is given out after an identity-check of the organization that has requested the certificate by checking the official registration papers of the organization. The visitor of the site can see in the certificate which organization has requested it.

What are the advantages?
An organization validated SSL certificate gives the possibility for visitors to check which organization is behind a website.

What are the disadvantages?
An organization validated SSL certificate has a longer delivery time of 1 to 4 work day(s).

When is this a good choice?
When visitors of your website need to be persuaded to commit an action, like registering, leaving behind their contact information or buying a product, an organization validated SSL certificate can help to convince them.

www.yourdomain.com
secure.yourdomain.com
anything.yourdomain.com
sub.sub.yourdomain.com
212.100.100.1
10.10.10.1

Unified Communication SSL or Multi-Domain SSL Certificates (SANs – Subject Alternative Names)

Secure up to 11 domains/subdomains/server names or internal IP Addresses with a single SSL certificate (Each domain, subdomain, server name, or internal IP is charged separately per unit). Unified SSLs are an addon to Standard, Wildcard or Organization SSLs.

www.yourdomain.com
yourdomain.com
sub.sub.yourdomain.com
212.100.100.1
10.10.10.1
server1

Extended Validation SSL

Secures a single Fully Qualified Domain Name

What is it?
A SSL certificate with EV (Extended Validation) is only given out after an extensive check of the applicant’s identity and reliability. Once a website is protected by an extended validated SSL certificate, the address field in the internet browser gets a green color everytime a visitor visits the site.

What are the advantages?
A SSL certificate with EV gives a 100% guarantee that a website is reliable and safe, made visible by the green address field in the internet browser.

What are the disadvantages? 
Extended validated SSL certificated belong to the highest price range in SSL certificates and come with a long delivery time of 1 to 2 weeks.

When is this a good choice? 
As soon as financial or personal data are sent from and to your website, a SSL certificate with EV is essential. The visitor can only be certain that his data is treated safely with an extended validated SSL certificate. Especially for webshops this will lead to a significant increase in sales, that amply pays back your investment.