Managing website security can become complex, especially when your online presence spans multiple subdomains (like blog.yourdomain.com
, shop.yourdomain.com
, app.yourdomain.com
). Securing each one individually with separate SSL certificates can be costly and a management headache. This is where a Digicert Wildcard SSL certificate emerges as a powerful and efficient solution.
Digicert is one of the most recognized and trusted Certificate Authorities (CAs) globally, known for its high standards and robust security solutions. ^^DigiCert holds a significant share of the high-assurance SSL certificate market, indicating strong trust. (Source: W3Techs SSL Survey Data – Note: Access specific dated reports for precise figures, e.g., data relevant to 2024/2025)^^ This guide will delve into what a Digicert Wildcard SSL certificate is, its benefits, and crucially, address the common question: where to buy/get ssl certificate solutions like this affordably and reliably.
Key Takeaways
- What it is: A Digicert Wildcard SSL secures your main domain AND an unlimited number of first-level subdomains under it (e.g.,
*.yourdomain.com
). - Key Benefit: Simplifies management and reduces costs compared to buying individual SSL certificates for each subdomain.
- Digicert Trust: Issued by Digicert, a leading, highly trusted global Certificate Authority, ensuring strong encryption and browser recognition.
- Validation Level: Typically offered with Organization Validation (OV), verifying your business identity for enhanced user trust.
- Ideal For: Businesses with multiple subdomains for blogs, shops, client portals, mail servers, etc.
- Where to Buy: Available directly from Digicert or, often more affordably, through authorized Digicert partners and resellers like sslrepo.com.
Understanding Digicert Wildcard SSL Certificates
Let’s break down the components:
What is an SSL Certificate?
At its core, an SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security) certificate encrypts the data exchanged between a user’s browser and your web server. This prevents eavesdropping and ensures data privacy. It’s what enables HTTPS and the padlock icon in the browser address bar, signaling a secure connection.
What Makes it a “Wildcard”?
The “Wildcard” aspect is denoted by an asterisk (*
) in the common name field of the certificate (e.g., *.yourdomain.com
). This single certificate automatically covers:
yourdomain.com
(usually included, check specific product details)www.yourdomain.com
blog.yourdomain.com
shop.yourdomain.com
mail.yourdomain.com
anything.yourdomain.com
- …and so on, for any subdomain directly under
yourdomain.com
.
It does not cover second-level subdomains (e.g., test.blog.yourdomain.com
).
Why Choose Digicert?
- Industry Leader: Digicert is a premier CA known for rigorous validation processes and high-assurance certificates.
- Strong Trust: Certificates from Digicert are universally trusted by browsers and operating systems, ensuring seamless user experience.
- Robust Security: Employs strong encryption standards to protect data.
- Reliability: Known for excellent infrastructure and reliability.
Benefits of Using a Digicert Wildcard SSL
Opting for a Digicert Wildcard offers significant advantages:
- Cost Savings: Far more economical than purchasing individual SSL certificates for numerous subdomains.
- Simplified Certificate Management: Only one certificate to purchase, install, track, and renew, drastically reducing administrative overhead.
- Flexibility & Scalability: Easily add new subdomains without needing to purchase and configure new certificates – they are automatically covered.
- Enhanced Trust with OV: Digicert Wildcards typically come with Organization Validation (OV). This means Digicert verifies your organization’s legitimate existence, adding a layer of trust beyond basic domain validation. Users can often view these verified details in the certificate information.
- Digicert Secure Site Seal: Displaying the Digicert seal on your site can further boost user confidence.
- Broad Compatibility: Works seamlessly across all major browsers and servers.
Choosing the Right Digicert Wildcard: Understanding Validation
Digicert primarily offers Wildcard certificates with Organization Validation (OV).
- OV Wildcard: This requires Digicert to verify not only your control over the domain but also the registered legal existence and operational status of your organization. This provides a higher level of assurance to your visitors compared to basic Domain Validation (DV) certificates (which Digicert generally focuses away from for its premium brands). While EV (Extended Validation) offers the highest trust level, EV Wildcards are not a standard offering across the industry due to the complexities of validating an unspecified range of subdomains to the rigorous EV standard. For Digicert Wildcards, OV is the typical and robust choice.
Factors Influencing Digicert Wildcard SSL Price
The cost can vary based on:
- Validity Period: Opting for a multi-year subscription (e.g., 2 or 3 years) usually offers a lower average annual cost.
- Purchase Channel: Where you buy the certificate significantly impacts the price.
Where to Buy/Get SSL Certificate: Digicert Wildcard Edition
This brings us to the crucial question: where to buy/get ssl certificate solutions like the Digicert Wildcard?
- Directly from Digicert: You can purchase directly from the Digicert website. This gives you a direct relationship but is often the most expensive option.
- Authorized Digicert Partners & Resellers (like sslrepo.com): This is frequently the most cost-effective route. Reputable resellers like sslrepo.com are often Platinum Partners of Digicert. They purchase certificates in large volumes, receiving significant discounts which they pass on to their customers.
- Benefits of Resellers:
- Lower Prices: Get the exact same trusted Digicert Wildcard certificate for less.
- Expert Support: Often provide specialized pre-sale and post-sale support.
- Platform Convenience: Manage various certificates from different CAs in one place.
- Benefits of Resellers:
When looking for where to buy/get ssl certificate deals, especially for premium brands like Digicert, authorized resellers offer compelling value.
The Purchase and Validation Process (Simplified)
- Choose Vendor: Select a trusted source, ideally an authorized reseller like sslrepo.com for better pricing.
- Place Order: Select the Digicert Wildcard SSL and validity period.
- Complete Validation: Digicert will initiate the validation process. This involves:
- Domain Control Validation (DCV): Proving you control the base domain (via email, DNS record, or file upload).
- Organization Validation: Providing documentation (like business registration) and potentially responding to verification calls to confirm your organization’s details.
- Issuance: Once validation is complete, Digicert issues the certificate.
- Installation: Install the certificate on your web server(s) hosting the main domain and subdomains.
Conclusion: Simplify and Secure with Digicert Wildcard
A Digicert Wildcard SSL certificate is an excellent investment for any business managing multiple subdomains. It simplifies administration, reduces costs, and provides the high level of trust and security associated with the Digicert brand. While you can buy direct, exploring where to buy/get ssl certificate options reveals that authorized resellers like sslrepo.com typically offer the best combination of price and support for the exact same premium Digicert product. Secure your web presence efficiently and affordably.
Ready to secure all your subdomains with a single, trusted certificate? Explore Digicert Wildcard SSL options at sslrepo.com.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is a Digicert Wildcard SSL certificate?
A: It’s an SSL/TLS certificate issued by the trusted CA Digicert that secures your main domain and an unlimited number of its direct subdomains (e.g., blog.yourdomain.com
, shop.yourdomain.com
) using a single certificate.
Q2: How many subdomains does a Digicert Wildcard SSL cover?
A: It covers an unlimited number of subdomains at the same level as the asterisk (*). For *.yourdomain.com
, it covers one.yourdomain.com
, two.yourdomain.com
, etc., but not sub.sub.yourdomain.com
.
Q3: Is Digicert a reliable Certificate Authority?
A: Yes, Digicert is a leading global CA, highly respected for its security standards, rigorous validation processes, and widespread trust among browsers and operating systems.
Q4: What validation level is typical for Digicert Wildcards?
A: Digicert Wildcard SSL certificates typically come with Organization Validation (OV), which verifies your business identity, offering more trust than basic Domain Validation (DV).
Q5: Where is the best place to buy a cheap Digicert Wildcard SSL certificate?
A: While “cheap” can be relative for a premium brand like Digicert, authorized resellers and Platinum Partners like sslrepo.com usually offer significantly lower prices than buying directly from Digicert, providing the best value.
Q6: Can I get an Extended Validation (EV) Wildcard certificate from Digicert?
A: EV Wildcards are generally not standard industry practice due to validation complexities. Digicert’s standard Wildcard offering uses Organization Validation (OV), which provides strong business authentication.