Installing and configuring SSL on your WordPress website is relatively simple and straightforward since most hosting providers do this for you. Even if the hosting does not offer this service, you can easily set it up yourself through Cloudflare.
SSL certificate is essential for any website. It helps secure your site from malicious attacks and boosts your website’s trustworthiness and credibility. Keep reading to learn how to install and configure SSL on your WordPress website.
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How to Add SSL on Your WordPress Website
Installing SSL used to be tricky, but now most hosting providers offer it for free. They handle the installation and configuration automatically, so you don’t have to worry about it.
Even if your hosting provider doesn’t offer this service, you can easily set it up yourself through Cloudflare. Cloudflare is a CDN service that also offers free SSL certificates for websites.
Adding SSL Through Your WordPress Host Account
Follow these steps to install and set up SSL on your WordPress site with Let’s Encrypt. This option is offered by most WordPress hosting providers.
- Log into your hosting account.
- Navigate to the SSL certificate section.
- Enable Let’s Encrypt.
- Configure Let’s Encrypt to work with your website.
- Your website will be automatically redirected to a secure HTTPS connection.
- Verify that your SSL certificate is correctly installed and configured using a tool like SSL Labs.
Follow these steps to secure your WordPress website with a trusted, free SSL certificate from Let’s Encrypt. This option is now standard on many WordPress hosting platforms, simplifying the installation and configuration process. The padlock icon in your browser’s address bar will show your site’s security, giving your visitors peace of mind.
Use Plugin to Add SSL on Your WordPress Website
If you can’t use the above method, try a plugin to set up SSL on your WordPress website.
The Really Simple SSL plugin is a highly-rated, free tool that quickly detects your SSL certificate and configures your WordPress site for HTTPS. It also manages HTTPS redirects for you.
Install the plugin from the WordPress dashboard and follow the instructions. It guides you through the entire setup.
Add SSL on Your WordPress Website with Cloudflare
Follow these steps to set up an SSL certificate on your WordPress website with Cloudflare:
- Sign Up for a Cloudflare Account: Go to the Cloudflare website, and sign up for an account with your email.
- Add Your Website to Cloudflare: After signing in, enter your website address and click “Add site”. Make sure to remove the “HTTP://” before the domain name.
- Choose a Plan: Once you’ve added your website, you’ll need to choose a plan. Just choose the Free plan and press “Continue“. On the next page, Cloudflare will show some information related to the website. Press “Continue” again to move forward.
- Update Nameservers: Cloudflare will now ask you to update your domain’s nameservers. To do this, head over to the registrar where your domain is purchased and change the nameservers (Usually Under Domain Management or DNS option). Ask the registrar’s support if you can’t find the nameservers option.
- Setup the SSL: Now, head back to Cloudflare and select “Done, check nameservers“. Press “Get Started” on the next page under “Quick Start Guide“. Under “Improved security“, turn on “Automatic HTTP Rewrites“. Save the other suggested settings and press “Finish“.
- Update SSL Settings: Now, press the “SSL/TLS” from the menu on the top. Choose the “Edge Certificates” option and turn on “Always use HTTPS“. This setting will ensure that the website is always loaded on HTTPS instead of HTTP.
And that’s it! Go back to your website and check if it’s loading with the SSL certificate. You should see a “padlock icon” next to the URL in the browser address bar.
What is SSL, and How Does it Work?
SSL, short for Secure Sockets Layer, is an encryption protocol ensuring online communication is secure. Its main goal is to keep data exchanged between a website and a user’s browser private and safe.
SSL creates an encrypted link between a web server and a user’s browser. When you visit a website using SSL, the browser first makes a secure connection with the server. Next, the server sends a certificate to the browser to confirm its identity.
The browser checks if a trusted certificate authority issued the certificate and if it’s still valid. If valid, the browser sets up an encrypted connection with the server.
Once an encrypted connection is established, all data between the browser and server is encrypted. Even if intercepted, the data can’t be read easily. SSL is essential for safeguarding sensitive information online.
Why Do You Need SSL on Your WordPress Website?
Installing an SSL certificate on your website has many benefits. Some of the most important ones are:
User’s Data Privacy: SSL creates a secure link between your website and the user’s browser, keeping shared data confidential. This is crucial for sites requiring personal info, like credit card details.
2. Website Security: SSL certificates, issued by trusted Certificate Authorities (CA), verify website identities. This verification prevents phishing attacks and fraud, ensuring users communicate with the intended site.
3. SEO Benefits: Search engines like Google give better rankings to websites with an SSL certificate, potentially boosting your site’s visibility. This increases the chance of attracting more visitors and potential customers.
4. Legitimacy: An SSL certificate boosts your website’s legitimacy, showing visitors you prioritize their data security and privacy. This leads to greater trust in your site and brand.