How to Install an SSL Certificate on Your WordPress Website

by | Aug 12, 2024 | Wordpress | 0 comments

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How to Obtain an SSL Certificate for Your WordPress Site

  1. Securing your WordPress site with an SSL certificate is easier than you might think. Here are a few simple ways to get one, each offering different benefits:

    Option 1: Get an SSL Certificate from Your Hosting Provider

    One of the easiest and often cheapest ways to get an SSL certificate is through your hosting provider. Many hosts include free SSL certificates in their plans, and some even offer premium options, like EV (Extended Validation) certificates, for sites needing more security.

    Check with your hosting provider to see if they offer SSL certificates and what types they have. This option is usually straightforward since everything is integrated with your hosting service.

    Option 2: Use a Free SSL Certificate from Let’s Encrypt

    If you’re looking to save money, Let’s Encrypt provides free SSL certificates. These are perfect for small to medium-sized websites, blogs, and personal projects.

    The biggest advantage here is that it’s completely free—no need to pay for a premium certificate if basic security is all you need. Let’s Encrypt certificates are trusted by most browsers and offer solid protection for many sites.

    Option 3: Buy an SSL Certificate from a Certificate Authority (CA)

    If your site handles sensitive information, like credit card details or personal data, it’s a good idea to invest in a premium SSL certificate from a well-known Certificate Authority (CA) like Sectigo or DigiCert. These certificates offer stronger validation and security, which is important for building trust with your visitors.

    Premium SSL certificates often come with added benefits like extended validation, warranties, and customer support, making them a smart choice for businesses focused on security.

    Picking the Right SSL Certificate

    When choosing an SSL certificate, think about the security needs of your site. Here’s a quick guide:

    • Basic SSL Certificates: Great for personal blogs and small sites.
    • Wildcard SSL Certificates: Useful if you have multiple subdomains.
    • EV SSL Certificates: Best for e-commerce sites and businesses handling sensitive information.

    Each type of certificate has its own use, so choose one that fits your site’s needs.

    How to Install an SSL Certificate on Your WordPress Site

    After you get your SSL certificate, the next step is to install it on your WordPress site. There are several ways to do this, depending on your comfort level with technology:

    • Through Your Web Host
    • Using a Plugin
    • Manual Installation

    Pick the method that you feel most comfortable with.

    Installing an SSL Certificate Using Your Web Host

    Installing an SSL certificate through your hosting provider is usually quick and easy. Most hosts provide tools to help with this process. Here’s a simple guide, using cPanel (a common hosting control panel) as an example:

    1. Log in to Your Hosting Control Panel: Start by logging into your hosting account and opening the control panel. This is often cPanel, but some hosts use custom control panels.
    2. Find the SSL/TLS Manager: In the control panel, look for the Security section or search for the SSL/TLS manager. This tool helps you manage SSL certificates, including generating keys and certificates. In cPanel, you’ll usually find this under the Security section.

     

  2. Generating a Certificate Signing Request (CSR)

    Before you can install your SSL certificate, you may need to create a Certificate Signing Request (CSR). If you didn’t generate a CSR during the certificate acquisition process, it’s a necessary step for the Certificate Authority (CA) to issue your SSL certificate.

    In cPanel, you can easily generate a CSR using the SSL/TLS manager.

    Fill in your domain and company details.

  3. Activate Your SSL Certificate

    If you obtained your SSL certificate through your hosting provider, it might be automatically activated. If not, you’ll need to manually activate it by entering a code or responding to a verification email sent by the Certificate Authority (CA).

    Upload Your SSL Certificate

    After your SSL certificate is ready, you’ll need to upload it to your hosting account. In cPanel, go to the SSL/TLS manager and select “Manage SSL sites” under the “Install and Manage SSL for your site (HTTPS)” section. From there, you can copy and paste your SSL certificate files into the appropriate fields, including any CA bundle provided.

    Update Your Domain Settings

    Once your certificate is uploaded, you’ll need to assign it to the correct domain. Select your domain from the dropdown menu and ensure that the system automatically fills in the required fields (certificate, private key, and CA bundle). Once everything is set, click “Install Certificate” or the equivalent button in your control panel to complete the process.

Your WordPress site is now secured with an SSL certificate. If you run into any issues, don’t hesitate to contact your hosting provider’s support team for help.

Adding an SSL Certificate to WordPress Using a Plugin

For a quick and easy way to add SSL to your WordPress site, using a plugin is an excellent choice. Plugins like Really Simple SSL take care of most of the technical details for you. Follow these steps to secure your site with an SSL plugin:

  1. Ensure Your Hosting Environment is SSL Ready: Before you start, make sure your hosting provider has enabled SSL for your site and that an SSL certificate is installed on your server. If you’re unsure, check with your hosting provider to confirm that your site is SSL-ready.
  2. Install the Really Simple SSL Plugin:
    • Go to your WordPress dashboard.
    • Navigate to the Plugins section and click Add New Plugin.
    • In the search bar, type “Really Simple SSL” and find the plugin in the repository.
    • Click Install Now and then Activate once the installation is complete.

  2. Running SSL Checks and Activating SSL on WordPress

    SSL Check with Really Simple SSL Plugin Once you activate the Really Simple SSL plugin, it will automatically detect your WordPress SSL certificate. The plugin will then perform a quick check to ensure everything is correctly configured. If any issues are found, the plugin will offer guidance on how to resolve them.

    One-Click SSL Activation After confirming your SSL certificate is in place, simply click the “Activate SSL” button within the plugin. This action will adjust your site’s configuration to enforce HTTPS. These adjustments include updating your site URLs and setting up redirects from HTTP to HTTPS.

    Manual SSL Installation on WordPress (Advanced Users Only)

    For those who are comfortable with server management and prefer more control, manually installing an SSL certificate is an option. However, this method is not recommended for beginners as it involves complex server configurations and command-line operations.

    Here’s a simplified guide to manually installing an SSL certificate:

    1. Generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR):
      • A CSR is necessary to obtain an SSL certificate from a Certificate Authority (CA). You can generate this request via your server’s command line or hosting control panel.
      • Example command for Apache:

        bash

        openssl req -new -newkey rsa:2048 -nodes -keyout your_domain.key -out your_domain.csr
      • You’ll be prompted to enter details about your domain and organization.
    2. Submit the CSR to a Certificate Authority:
      • Choose a reputable CA and submit your CSR to them. The CA will validate your request and issue the SSL certificate. This process may involve domain validation, usually through email or other methods.
    3. Install the SSL Certificate on Your Server:
      • Once you receive your SSL certificate, you’ll need to install it on your server by updating your server’s configuration files to reference the new certificate.
    4. Restart Your Apache Server:
      • Apply the changes by restarting your Apache server.

    Configuring WordPress for HTTPS

    After successfully installing the SSL certificate, the next step is to configure WordPress to use HTTPS for all site connections, ensuring that all data between your site and its visitors is encrypted.

    1. Update WordPress Address and Site Address:
      • Go to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Settings > General, and change the WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) from http:// to https://.
      • For example, change http://www.yoursite.com to https://www.yoursite.com.
      • Save the changes, which will log you out automatically. Log back in using the new HTTPS URL.
    2. Update .htaccess File for Redirects:
      • To ensure all traffic is redirected to HTTPS, edit your .htaccess file and add the following lines:

        apache

        <IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
        RewriteEngine On
        RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
        RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]
        </IfModule>
      • Save and upload the updated .htaccess file to your server.

    Troubleshooting Common SSL Issues in WordPress

    Switching to HTTPS can sometimes cause issues. Below are solutions for common problems you may encounter:

    1. Mixed Content Warnings:
      • These warnings occur when your HTTPS page loads resources (images, scripts, etc.) over HTTP. To resolve this:
        • Use a plugin like Really Simple SSL to automatically update HTTP URLs to HTTPS.
        • Alternatively, use a plugin like Better Search Replace to manually search for and replace HTTP URLs in your database.
        • Check your theme and plugins for any hardcoded HTTP links and update them to HTTPS.
    2. SSL Certificate Not Trusted:
      • This error occurs if your browser does not recognize the Certificate Authority (CA) that issued your SSL certificate or if the certificate was installed incorrectly.
      • Use tools like Qualys SSL Labs to verify your SSL installation and identify any issues, such as missing intermediate certificates.
      • If issues persist, consult your hosting provider for assistance.

    Enforcing HTTPS on Your Entire WordPress Site

    To ensure that all users access your site securely via HTTPS, follow these steps:

    1. Implement HTTP to HTTPS Redirects:
      • For Apache servers, add the following to your .htaccess file:

        apache

        RewriteEngine On
        RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
        RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]
      • For Nginx servers, add this to your server configuration:

        nginx

        server {
        listen 80;
        server_name yourdomain.com;
        return 301 https://$host$request_uri;
        }
    2. Update Internal Links and Resources:
      • Ensure that all internal links and resources on your site use HTTPS to avoid security warnings and provide a seamless experience for your visitors.