Partial SSL certification refers to a scenario where only some parts of your website are protected by SSL encryption, while other parts remain unsecured. You might have seen this before — the padlock icon appears on one page, like the checkout page, but not on others, like the homepage or product listings. This usually happens when a site hasn’t implemented SSL sitewide or has mixed content, meaning secure (HTTPS) and non-secure (HTTP) elements on the same page.
This kind of setup used to be somewhat acceptable back when SSL was mainly reserved for payment pages. But today, with online privacy concerns growing and browsers getting stricter, partial SSL just doesn’t cut it anymore. Google Chrome, Firefox, and other major browsers often mark sites with partial SSL as “not fully secure,” which can scare off visitors and lower trust.
There are also technical risks involved. Even if a page is technically under SSL, if it pulls scripts, images, or stylesheets from unsecured sources, hackers might exploit those weak spots to intercept user data or inject malicious code.
In short, partial SSL leaves your website and your visitors vulnerable. It’s like having a security system in your house but leaving the back door unlocked. It might look safe, but it’s not truly secure. If you’re serious about protecting user data and building trust, it’s best to go with full SSL coverage across every page of your site.
What is EV SSL Certification?
EV stands for Extended Validation. EV SSL certification is the most rigorous and trustworthy type of SSL available today. It’s designed for businesses that want to show the highest level of security and earn maximum trust from their visitors. When a website has EV SSL, it goes beyond the basic padlock icon. Depending on the browser, users might see a green address bar or the business name displayed next to the URL, clearly stating that the site is operated by a verified company.
To get EV SSL, the business behind the website has to go through a strict verification process. This includes proving legal identity, operational existence, physical location, and domain ownership. It’s not something you can get in five minutes — which is exactly why it sends such a strong message of trust to site visitors.
This type of SSL is ideal for banks, e-commerce platforms, financial institutions, and any brand that handles sensitive data and needs to establish a reputation of credibility. When users see a company’s name in the address bar, they know who they’re dealing with — and that extra layer of transparency often translates into higher conversion rates.
EV SSL is also highly encrypted, so it provides top-tier protection against phishing attacks and other security threats. That said, it tends to cost more than standard SSL certificates, and the setup is a bit more involved. But if your business relies on customer trust, it’s often worth the investment.
Thrive Can Set Up Your SSL Certification!
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by SSL choices or just want to make sure your website is properly secured from the start, Thrive can help. We take the hassle out of SSL certification by managing the setup, configuration, and renewal process for you. Whether you’re a small business, an e-commerce store, or a growing brand, we’ll match you with the right type of SSL for your needs.
Many website owners delay SSL implementation because it sounds technical or time-consuming — but with Thrive, it’s a smooth, stress-free process. Our team ensures every part of your site is secured, eliminating risks of partial SSL or mixed content errors. We also handle redirects, update your sitemap, and help your site maintain or improve its SEO rankings post-installation.
We don’t just install the certificate and walk away. We monitor it, keep it updated, and guide you on how to leverage it for trust signals that boost engagement and conversions. If your site is still showing that dreaded “Not Secure” label in the browser, it’s time to change that — and Thrive is ready to help you do it right.
So whether you’re aiming for basic protection or an EV SSL to signal premium trust, we’ve got you covered. Reach out today to lock down your site’s security and give your visitors the peace of mind they deserve.
(Need more info on SSL types? Learn more here or explore Thrive’s web services for full support.)
Types of SSL Certificates
When it comes to SSL certificates, one size doesn’t fit all. Different websites have different needs based on their structure, size, and level of security required. That’s why SSL certificates come in several types, each offering a different level of validation and features. Knowing the differences can help you make a more informed decision — especially if you’re managing a business website, e-commerce platform, or even a blog that collects user data.
In general, SSL certificates are categorized in two main ways: validation level (how much background checking is done before the certificate is issued) and domain coverage (how many domains or subdomains are protected). Depending on your setup, you might only need a basic certificate for a single domain or a more advanced one for multiple sites and subdomains.
Here are the most common types of SSL certificates:
- Domain Validation (DV)
- Organization Validation (OV)
- Extended Validation (EV)
- Wildcard SSL
- Multi-Domain SSL (SAN)
- Unified Communications Certificate (UCC)
Each of these has its place, depending on what you’re trying to achieve. A blogger may be fine with DV SSL, while a financial institution would benefit from EV SSL. And if you’re running a site with subdomains or multiple URLs, wildcard or multi-domain SSL might be more efficient.
Domain Validation (DV) SSL
DV SSL is the most basic and quickest type of SSL certificate you can get. It only verifies that the person or organization requesting the certificate owns the domain. There’s no deep identity verification — just a simple check that you control the web address. Because of this, it’s issued very quickly, often within minutes.
DV certificates still provide the essential encryption needed to keep user data safe, and they show the padlock icon in the browser. However, they don’t offer any organizational details, so users won’t know who is behind the website. That makes them a great choice for personal sites, blogs, or small projects that don’t collect sensitive data or process payments.
One thing to note: while DV SSL does encrypt data, it doesn’t give users much assurance about the trustworthiness of the site. For example, phishing websites can also use DV SSL, which is why some users may hesitate if they don’t see more identifying information.
Still, if you’re looking for a fast, budget-friendly way to secure your site and get that HTTPS label, DV SSL is a solid starting point.
Organization Validation (OV) SSL
Organization Validation (OV) SSL is a step up from Domain Validation. It not only verifies that you own the domain but also checks basic information about your organization — like your business name, physical location, and legal existence. This adds another layer of trust for users, especially those who want to know that a real company is behind the website.
When a site uses an OV SSL, visitors can view the verified organization’s name in the certificate details by clicking the padlock icon in the browser bar. While it doesn’t display this information as prominently as EV SSL does, it still signals to users that your website has gone through more scrutiny than a DV-certified one.
This makes OV SSL a good choice for businesses, nonprofits, and educational institutions that want to reassure users that their site is credible. It’s especially useful if you collect sensitive information such as usernames, emails, or partial payment details.
However, OV SSL requires a manual review and validation process by the Certificate Authority (CA), so it can take a few days to issue. It’s a bit more expensive than DV SSL, but the added assurance and professionalism are worth it — especially if you’re managing a customer-facing brand.
Think of OV SSL as a middle ground: more trustworthy than DV, but not as detailed or prominent as EV SSL. It’s a smart pick for companies that don’t need the full branding of EV but still want to show legitimacy and protect user interactions.
Wildcard SSL Certificate
Wildcard SSL is designed for websites that use multiple subdomains under the same root domain. For example, if you own example.com, a wildcard SSL can also secure blog.example.com, shop.example.com, and support.example.com — all under a single certificate.
This makes it a convenient and cost-effective option for businesses or developers managing a growing site with various departments or functions. Rather than buying separate SSL certificates for each subdomain, a wildcard covers them all, saving time and effort when setting things up and renewing certificates later.
Technically, wildcard certificates use an asterisk (*) in the domain name field — like *.example.com — which tells the server to apply the same encryption rules to any subdomain. The encryption level is the same as a standard DV or OV certificate (depending on the validation level you choose), but it’s spread across your entire domain tree.
One important thing to note: wildcard SSL doesn’t work for sub-subdomains (e.g., test.blog.example.com). It only covers the first level of subdomains. Also, if the private key associated with the wildcard SSL is compromised, all subdomains are potentially at risk — so security practices around your key management become even more important.
Wildcard SSL is great for SaaS platforms, educational websites, or businesses that anticipate growth across different functions. It simplifies management while keeping the user experience consistent and secure.
Multi-Domain SSL (SAN)
Multi-Domain SSL, also known as Subject Alternative Name (SAN) SSL, is made for websites that operate across multiple domains. Unlike wildcard SSL, which covers subdomains of one main domain, SAN SSL can protect different domain names entirely — like example.com, example.net, and mybusiness.co.uk — with one certificate.
This is a perfect fit for businesses that own a cluster of websites or web apps under different branding or services. Instead of juggling multiple certificates, you manage all your domains in a single certificate and renew it all at once. It’s especially useful for platforms that consolidate services or operate in different regions under localized domains.
With SAN SSL, you can add or remove domains as needed, depending on how the certificate is configured with your Certificate Authority. This flexibility makes it popular for Microsoft Exchange and Office Communications servers, as well as e-commerce brands with regional versions of their websites.
The encryption level can range from DV to EV, depending on how much validation you choose. One thing to keep in mind is that all domains listed on the certificate are visible to anyone who checks the certificate details. That might be a downside if you want to keep your domains private.