Securing your website is non-negotiable in 2025. Whether you’re collecting emails or processing payments, users expect their data to be safe. That’s where SSL certificates come in—and GoDaddy, one of the world’s most recognized web brands, offers some of the most accessible SSL solutions available.
In this guide, you’ll learn what a GoDaddy SSL certificate is, how it works, which type to choose, and why it matters—not just for security, but for SEO, trust, compliance, and user experience.
A GoDaddy SSL certificate is a digital certificate that encrypts data between a website and its visitors, ensures authenticity, and enables HTTPS in browsers. Offered by GoDaddy, these certificates come in various types—like DV, OV, EV, Wildcard, and Multi-Domain—and are trusted across all major devices and browsers.
What Is an SSL Certificate?
An SSL certificate (Secure Sockets Layer) is a file installed on a web server that:
-
Verifies the website’s identity
-
Enables HTTPS encryption
-
Protects sensitive data like login details, credit card info, and contact forms from being intercepted
Without SSL, any data entered into your website travels in plain text. Hackers can exploit this using man-in-the-middle attacks, phishing, or data injection. With SSL, this data is encrypted using a secure algorithm, rendering it useless to anyone without the private decryption key.
What Is a GoDaddy SSL Certificate?
A GoDaddy SSL certificate is a digital security product issued by GoDaddy, a globally trusted Certificate Authority (CA). When you buy and install this certificate, GoDaddy verifies your domain or business identity, then digitally signs the certificate—allowing browsers to trust your website.
GoDaddy SSL certificates activate:
-
HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure)
-
A padlock symbol in the address bar
-
Strong 256-bit encryption backed by 2048-bit RSA or ECC keys
-
A trust seal for your site (optional visual badge)
Whether you’re running a personal blog, SaaS platform, or e-commerce store, GoDaddy has an SSL solution that can meet your needs with flexible pricing and setup.
How Does SSL Work?
SSL works through Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), where two cryptographic keys are used—one public, one private.
Here’s what happens when a visitor connects to your HTTPS-secured website:
-
The visitor’s browser requests a secure connection.
-
Your server responds with the SSL certificate.
-
The browser checks the certificate’s legitimacy.
-
If valid, a TLS handshake occurs where encryption keys are exchanged.
-
A secure session begins, encrypting all traffic between the browser and your server.
GoDaddy’s SSL certificates ensure this process is seamless and trusted by all major browsers, mobile devices, and platforms.
Types of GoDaddy SSL Certificates (Explained in Detail)
GoDaddy offers five main types of SSL certificates. Below is a detailed breakdown to help you choose the right one:
1. DV SSL (Domain Validation)
Validation Level: Basic
Best For: Blogs, landing pages, small websites
What it is:
DV SSL certificates are the fastest to issue. GoDaddy simply verifies that you own the domain—via email, DNS, or file upload. No business paperwork is needed. Once approved, your website will show the padlock and HTTPS, protecting user data during form submissions or login pages.
Why use it:
If you just need encryption for a basic or non-transactional site and want quick setup, DV is ideal.
2. OV SSL (Organization Validation)
Validation Level: Moderate
Best For: Business websites, SaaS tools, service providers
What it is:
GoDaddy validates not only domain ownership but also your company’s name, address, and legal status using public records. Your organization’s identity will be visible in the certificate details—boosting trust and proving legitimacy.
Why use it:
OV SSL is recommended for businesses that want to protect data while showing site visitors that they are a real, legally-verified entity.
3. EV SSL (Extended Validation)
Validation Level: Strict
Best For: Financial services, e-commerce, legal and healthcare websites
What it is:
The highest level of SSL validation. GoDaddy conducts a full audit of your business, including operational and legal existence. Once issued, your company name may appear in the browser’s address bar in some browsers (though less prominently than before due to UI changes).
Why use it:
If your website handles large volumes of sensitive user data or transactions, EV SSL builds maximum user trust.
4. Wildcard SSL
Validation Level: DV or OV (depending on your choice)
Best For: Sites with multiple subdomains (e.g., shop.example.com, blog.example.com)
What it is:
Wildcard SSL secures one domain and all its first-level subdomains. Instead of buying multiple SSL certificates, you can secure an entire network with one installation.
Why use it:
Wildcard SSL saves money and administrative hassle when managing subdomain-heavy sites.
5. Multi-Domain SSL (UCC/SAN)
Validation Level: DV or OV
Best For: Businesses managing multiple domains or brands
What it is:
This certificate allows you to secure up to 100 different domains in one certificate (e.g., example.com, example.net, yourbrand.org). Each domain is individually listed in the certificate as a SAN (Subject Alternative Name).
Why use it:
Perfect for agencies, multinational companies, or anyone managing several websites under different TLDs.
Business Benefits of GoDaddy SSL
1. User Trust & Conversion Boost
A secure site makes users more likely to stay, engage, and purchase. Displaying HTTPS and a padlock boosts credibility and prevents bounce.
2. PCI-DSS Compliance for Payments
If your site handles credit card information, SSL is mandatory to comply with PCI-DSS standards. Without it, payment processors will block transactions.
3. Improved Analytics
When HTTPS is used, referral data is preserved in tools like Google Analytics. Without SSL, all traffic from secure sites is labeled as “Direct.”
4. Legal & Privacy Compliance
SSL helps you comply with regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and ePrivacy, especially if you’re collecting user data or medical/personal records.
Godaddy SSL Certificate Benefits
Google Ranking Signal
Since 2014, HTTPS has been a known Google ranking factor. SSL helps your website rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs).
Featured Snippet & AI Overview Eligibility
Well-structured SSL content helps your pages get pulled into Google’s AI Overview and People Also Ask (PAA) results. Using SSL makes your domain more authoritative and credible.
Core Web Vitals & Page Speed
TLS 1.3-enabled SSL improves loading speed with HTTP/2, giving you a technical edge in Core Web Vitals—which also impacts SEO rankings.
How to Get & Install a GoDaddy SSL Certificate
-
Choose the SSL type (DV, OV, EV, etc.)
-
Purchase it via GoDaddy or a verified reseller
-
Complete the validation process (automated for DV, manual for OV/EV)
-
Download and install the certificate on your server (GoDaddy offers help docs and auto-installation for GoDaddy hosting)
-
Update all internal links to HTTPS
-
Run SSL checks using tools like Qualys SSL Labs or WhyNoPadlock
FAQs – Common Questions About GoDaddy SSL
Is GoDaddy SSL free?
GoDaddy doesn’t offer free SSLs by default, unlike Let’s Encrypt. However, discount codes or bundled plans may reduce costs.
Can I use GoDaddy SSL on non-GoDaddy hosting?
Yes, GoDaddy provides downloadable certificate files that can be installed on any compatible hosting environment (cPanel, Apache, NGINX, etc.).
Is GoDaddy SSL worth it?
Yes—especially if you want robust support, flexible certificate options, and long-term trust from a top-tier CA.
Final Thoughts
A GoDaddy SSL certificate does more than encrypt your website—it builds trust, boosts SEO, protects your data, and opens the door to secure payments, better analytics, and compliance.
Whether you’re starting a blog or scaling a global brand, GoDaddy offers the tools to secure your site with confidence.
