GoDaddy SSL Certificates

SSL Certificates for Website Security and Trust

GoDaddy SSL Certificates encrypt data transmitted between your website and visitors, protecting sensitive information like passwords, credit card numbers, and personal data from interception. SSL certificates also establish trust with visitors by displaying security indicators in browsers and are essential for SEO, as Google ranks HTTPS sites higher than non-secure sites.

GoDaddy offers multiple SSL certificate types to match different security needs and budgets, from basic domain validation to extended validation certificates displaying your business name in the browser. Choose between self-managed certificates for technical users or managed SSL service where GoDaddy handles installation and maintenance.

SSL Certificate Types

Domain Validation (DV) SSL: From $63.99/year

• Basic encryption for single domains
• Automated validation in minutes
• SHA-2 and 2048-bit encryption
• Browser trust seal
• Suitable for blogs, personal sites, small business websites

DV certificates verify you control the domain through automated email or DNS verification. Issued quickly—often within minutes—DV certificates provide essential encryption at affordable prices.

Organization Validation (OV) SSL: From $149.99/year

• Business identity verification included
• Company name displayed in certificate details
• SHA-2 and 2048-bit encryption
• Enhanced trust seal
• Suitable for business websites, customer portals

OV certificates verify your organization's legal existence and operational status before issuance. This validation process takes 1-3 business days and provides additional credibility for business websites.

Extended Validation (EV) SSL: From $299.99/year

• Highest level of trust and security
• Company name displayed in browser address bar (on some browsers)
• Rigorous identity verification
• SHA-2 and 2048-bit encryption
• Green address bar on supporting browsers
• Suitable for e-commerce, financial services, enterprise

EV certificates undergo the most rigorous validation, confirming your organization's legal, physical, and operational existence. The validation process takes 2-7 business days. EV certificates provide maximum visitor confidence for sites handling sensitive transactions.

Wildcard and Multi-Domain Options

Wildcard SSL Certificates protect your primary domain and unlimited subdomains with a single certificate. For example, a wildcard certificate for *.yourdomain.com secures www.yourdomain.com, blog.yourdomain.com, shop.yourdomain.com, and any future subdomains you create.

Wildcard certificates are available in DV and OV validation levels, priced higher than standard certificates but more economical than purchasing individual certificates for multiple subdomains.

Multi-Domain (SAN) Certificates protect multiple different domains with one certificate—for example, yourdomain.com, yourotherdomain.net, and yourthirddomain.org. SAN certificates support up to 100 domains (depending on certificate type), simplifying management for organizations with multiple web properties.

Self-Managed vs. Managed SSL

Self-Managed SSL Certificates give you complete control over installation, configuration, and renewal. You generate the certificate signing request (CSR), install the certificate on your server, and manage renewal before expiration.

Self-managed certificates offer flexibility for technical users and developers who need to configure SSL for specific server environments or applications. Technical knowledge of server administration and SSL installation is required.

Managed SSL Service: From $69.99/year

• GoDaddy experts handle installation
• Automatic renewal management
• Includes one DV SSL certificate
• Terms up to 5 years available
• Perfect for non-technical users

Managed SSL service is ideal for business owners without technical expertise or time for SSL management. GoDaddy installs the certificate on your hosting, monitors expiration, and renews automatically. You maintain website security without touching server configuration.

Encryption and Security Standards

All GoDaddy SSL certificates use SHA-2 hashing algorithm with 2048-bit encryption, meeting current security standards and browser requirements. This encryption strength is sufficient for protecting sensitive data transmission including credit card information, login credentials, and personal information.

Certificates are trusted by 99.9% of browsers and devices, ensuring visitors see security indicators rather than warnings. Browser compatibility includes all major browsers across desktop and mobile platforms.

Trust Seals and Visual Indicators

SSL certificates display visual trust indicators that reassure visitors your site is secure. The padlock icon in the browser address bar signals encrypted connections. HTTPS protocol (instead of HTTP) indicates secure transmission.

GoDaddy Trust Seal can be added to your website, displaying recognizable security branding that builds customer confidence. Clicking the seal reveals certificate details including validation level and organizational information.

EV certificates display your company name in the address bar on supported browsers, providing the highest visual trust indicator for e-commerce and financial sites.

SEO Benefits

Google uses HTTPS as a ranking signal, giving SSL-secured websites preference in search results. Sites without SSL may be marked "Not Secure" in Chrome and other browsers, damaging visitor trust and search rankings.

Installing an SSL certificate can improve search rankings and increase organic traffic. The SEO benefit applies regardless of validation level—even basic DV certificates provide the ranking boost.

Installation and Setup

For self-managed certificates, installation requires generating a certificate signing request (CSR) on your server, submitting it to GoDaddy for signing, then installing the issued certificate files on your web server. The process varies by server type (Apache, Nginx, IIS, etc.).

GoDaddy provides detailed installation guides for common server types and hosting platforms. For GoDaddy hosting customers, simplified installation wizards reduce complexity.

For managed SSL, GoDaddy handles the entire process. You simply purchase the service, and GoDaddy's team configures everything—no technical knowledge required.

Renewal and Maintenance

SSL certificates have maximum 1-year validity periods (industry standard since 2020). GoDaddy sends renewal reminders before expiration, but it's your responsibility to renew self-managed certificates before they expire.

Expired SSL certificates cause browser warnings that scare visitors away. Set calendar reminders and enable auto-renewal where available to prevent accidental expiration.

Managed SSL service handles renewal automatically, removing expiration concerns. The service renews your certificate before expiration and installs the new certificate on your server.

Customer Support

24/7 phone and chat support assists with SSL certificate questions, installation issues, and troubleshooting. GoDaddy's SSL support team guides you through technical processes, though self-managed installation requires you to execute server commands.

The knowledge base contains installation guides, troubleshooting articles, and video tutorials covering SSL certificate management for every server type.

Alternatives to Consider

Many hosting providers now include free SSL certificates through Let's Encrypt, making basic DV certificates accessible at no cost. However, free certificates don't include organization validation, extended validation, warranty protection, or support—making paid certificates worthwhile for business and e-commerce sites.

For personal blogs or small informational websites, free SSL certificates provide sufficient security. For businesses handling customer data or processing payments, paid SSL certificates with higher validation levels provide essential credibility and legal protection.

Who Should Choose GoDaddy SSL Certificates

Ideal for:

• E-commerce Sites: EV or OV certificates build customer trust for online transactions
• Business Websites: OV certificates display verified business identity
• Non-Technical Users: Managed SSL service eliminates installation complexity
• Multiple Subdomains: Wildcard certificates more economical than individual certificates
• Multiple Domains: SAN certificates simplify management across properties
• GoDaddy Customers: Convenient management alongside domains and hosting

However, users comfortable with technical setup and seeking lowest cost should consider free Let's Encrypt certificates. Large enterprises with complex security requirements may need specialized SSL providers with advanced features.