Choosing the right SSL certificate

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SSL CERTIFICATE

DV vs OV vs EV Explained

In today’s digital landscape, trust is everything — and nothing builds trust faster than the little padlock in your browser bar. That padlock is powered by SSL certificates, which encrypt data between your website and its visitors.

But not all SSL certificates are created equal. If you’re running a business or managing a website, you’ll likely encounter these terms:

DV: Domain Validation
OV: Organisation Validation
EV: Extended Validation

What do these mean, and how do you choose the right one?

Let’s break it down simply.

What is an SSL Certificate?

All SSL certificates offer encryption — but they differ in the level of validation and trust they provide.

An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate encrypts data sent between a website and a user’s browser, protecting it from hackers or prying eyes. It also validates that your site is who it says it is.

All SSL certificates offer encryption — but they differ in the level of validation and trust they provide.

Domain Validation (DV)

DV SSL is the most basic type.

✔ What it does:

Validates only domain ownership.
No organisation details are checked.
Issued almost instantly.

🔒 Who it’s for:

Personal blogs
Small hobby sites
Basic landing pages

✅ Pros:

Fast and affordable (often free)
Secure enough for basic use

⚠️ Cons:

Less trust for ecommerce or sensitive services
Offers no visible business identity

Organisation Validation (OV)

OV SSL verifies both the domain and the organisation behind it.

✔ What it does:

Confirms the domain is owned by a real, registered business.
Requires manual checks (via business registry and contact info).

🔒 Who it’s for:

Company websites
Business contact forms
B2B platforms

✅ Pros:

Displays company info in the certificate details
More trusted by users

⚠️ Cons:

Slightly longer to issue (1–3 days)
Doesn’t show a green bar or company name in URL bar

Extended Validation (EV)

EV SSL provides the highest level of validation and trust.

✔ What it does:

Requires extensive background checks on the business
Displays company name in the browser’s address bar (in some browsers)

🔒 Who it’s for:

Ecommerce sites
Financial institutions
Legal, healthcare, and enterprise websites

✅ Pros:

Highest visible trust level
Reassures visitors and boosts conversions

⚠️ Cons:

Takes longer to issue (3–5 days)
More expensive than DV or OV

So, Which One Should You Choose?

*Website Type*	*Recommended SSL Type*
Personal blog or portfolio	DV
SME website or B2B portal	OV
Ecommerce, finance or legal	EV

The more your website handles sensitive data (e.g. payments, personal info) or represents a business brand, the more beneficial it is to choose OV or EV certificates to build credibility and user trust.

Want help selecting the right SSL for your business?

All SSL certificates encrypt — but only some validate who you are.
Choosing the right type depends on how much trust you want to convey to your visitors.

Our available products can be seen here and we’d be happy to guide you through the process — just get in touch.