How to Install an SSL Certificate on Your WordPress Website

Securing your WordPress site with an SSL certificate enhances security, boosts trustworthiness, and improves SEO. Here’s a comprehensive guide to acquiring and installing an SSL certificate on your WordPress site.

How to Obtain an SSL Certificate for Your WordPress Site

Option 1: Get an SSL Certificate Through Your Hosting Provider

• Many hosting providers offer free SSL certificates as part of their service packages. Check with your host to see if they include SSL certificates and follow their instructions for activation.

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

• Let’s Encrypt provides free SSL certificates. Many hosting providers support Let’s Encrypt, making it an accessible option for most users.

Option 3: Purchase an SSL Certificate from Certificate Authorities (CAs)

• For higher levels of validation and security, consider purchasing a premium SSL certificate from a CA like Sectigo or DigiCert. This is especially important for sites handling sensitive information.

Choosing the Right SSL Certificate

• Basic SSL Certificates: Suitable for personal blogs and small websites.
• Wildcard SSL Certificates: Ideal for securing multiple subdomains.
• EV SSL Certificates: Best for e-commerce sites and businesses needing extended validation.

Install an SSL Certificate on WordPress Using Your Web Host

Using cPanel

1. Access Your Hosting Control Panel: Log in to your hosting account and open the control panel (cPanel).
2. Locate the SSL/TLS Manager: Find this tool in the Security section of cPanel.
3. Generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR): If required, use the SSL/TLS manager to generate a CSR. Fill in your domain and company details.
4. Activate Your SSL Certificate: If obtained through your host, activation may be automatic. Otherwise, manually activate it via a verification email or code.
5. Upload Your SSL Certificate: Go to the SSL/TLS manager, select Manage SSL sites, and upload your SSL certificate files.
6. Update Domain Settings: Choose the domain for the SSL certificate and ensure all fields are correctly filled. Click Install Certificate.

Add an SSL Certificate to WordPress Using a Plugin

Using Really Simple SSL Plugin

1. Ensure SSL is Enabled: Confirm with your hosting provider that SSL is enabled and the certificate is installed.
2. Install the Plugin:
   • Go to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Add New.
   • Search for “Really Simple SSL,” install, and activate it.
3. Run the SSL Check: The plugin will detect your SSL certificate. Follow any recommendations for fixing issues.
4. Activate SSL: Click the Activate SSL button. The plugin will update your site’s configuration to enforce HTTPS and set up redirects.

Install SSL on WordPress Manually (Not Recommended for Beginners)

Steps for Manual Installation

1. Generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR): Use your server’s command line or control panel to create a CSR.
   openssl req -new -newkey rsa:2048 -nodes -keyout your_domain.key -out your_domain.csr
2. Submit CSR to a CA: Choose a CA, submit your CSR, and complete the validation process.
3. Install SSL Certificate on Your Server:
   • Place the certificate in the appropriate directory on your server.
   • Update your server’s configuration to use the new certificate.
   • Restart your server to apply changes.

Configuring WordPress to Use HTTPS

1. Update WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL):
   • Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
   • Go to Settings > General.
   • Change both URLs from http:// to https://.
   • Save changes and log back in using the new HTTPS URL.
2. Update Your .htaccess File for Redirects:
   • Access your .htaccess file via your hosting control panel or FTP client.
   • Add the following lines to redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS:
3. <IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
   RewriteEngine On
   RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
   RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]
   </IfModule>
4. Save and upload the updated .htaccess file.

Troubleshooting Common WordPress SSL Issues

Mixed Content Warnings

• Use a Plugin: Plugins like Really Simple SSL can automatically fix mixed content issues.
• Manually Search and Replace: Use a plugin like Better Search Replace to update http:// to https:// in your database.
• Check Theme and Plugins: Update any hardcoded HTTP links in your theme or plugins to HTTPS.

SSL Certificate Not Trusted

• Verify Installation: Use tools like Qualys SSL Labs to check your SSL certificate’s installation.
• Consult Hosting Provider: If issues persist, your host can help resolve installation problems.

Enforcing HTTPS Throughout Your Site

1. Implement Redirects: Add HTTP to HTTPS redirects in your server configuration or .htaccess file.
   • For Apache:
2. RewriteEngine On
   RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
   RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]

For Nginx:

server {
listen 80;
server_name yourdomain.com;
return 301 https://$host$request_uri;
}

Update Internal Links and Resources: Ensure all internal links use HTTPS to avoid security warnings and maintain a seamless user experience.