How to Properly Enable SSL Certificate on Your WordPress Website
September 14th, 2017 | by Ravi Chahar || 9 Comments |
After the official announcement by Google, it’s mandatory to enable SSL certificate on your WordPress website.
It’s because, after the launch of the new Google Chrome in October, it will start showing you a warning for the non-SSL websites.
If you aren’t aware then let me let you that SSL is the security layer and HTTPS is the protocol, the “S” signifies the SSL certificate.
People get confused between these both terms. It’s a secure layer of the protocol which helps you maintain the security of your website.
It’s like an intermediate used to make a connection with the browser and the website server.
Even now if you have only HTTP, you can see a global icon in the browser tab. Whereas if you have HTTPS, a green lock appears which means your website connection is secure.
In this article, you will come to know the things which are required to enable SSL certificate on your WordPress website.
Different Ways to Activate HTTPS on a Website
First of all, you should understand that an SSL is just a security layer added to the default HTTP protocol.
There are many ways using which, you can activate it.
#1. Use CloudFlare
Many of you may have already been using CloudFlare as a CDN for your website. If you do then it’s the best option to enable the SSL.
The best thing is that it’s free for the lifetime. You don’t need to spend even a single Dollar.
You just need to go to the Crypto option in your CloudFlare account and an option to enable the SSL will be there.
You have to confirm your website using any of the default email addresses or any other method mentioned there. Once you get it confirmed, you can see the green symbol for the activation.
As per experience, many bloggers are using it and they haven’t faced any kind of problem till now.
#2. Using Your Web Hosting
The web hosting plays an important role in your WordPress website’s performance. That’s why it’s always recommended to choose a reliable web hosting company.
Nowadays, most of the companies are providing one year free SSL certificate with their most of the plans. And you can use that SSL for your website.
The web hosting companies you should look for.
You don’t need to do anything technical. Just ask the customer service representative to activate it for you or you can do it yourself.
It just requires a button to enable SSL certificate on your WordPress website.
#3. You Can Buy an SSL Certificate
There are many companies which are providing the premium SSL certificate. And now many people are worried about the free and premium SSL.
Well, in terms of the Google indexing, you wouldn’t face any kind of problem. But the free SSL is shared many websites whereas the premium SSL will be given one for a website.
You can buy any and integrate it with your web hosting.
Many SSL providers ask if your web hosting supports SSH. Before you purchase it, you should ask your web hosting providers the required technology.
What’re the Conflicts Occur After enabling it
If you’re activating for your brand new website then you wouldn’t face any kind of problem. But if you have been publishing for a while then it can cause some trouble.
The Google Search Console may show an error for the mixed content. It’s because not all of the links will have HTTPS.
Some of them may still have HTTP. To fix this, you just need to install the Really Simple SSL plugin. No extra settings required.
Just install and activate it. If even after that you face any problem, feel free to ask us.
You can also connect with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
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9 comments
Leave a Reply
Hi Ravi,
I switched to HTTPS about 2 months after starting my blog. Instead of trying to figure out things on my own, I have so much on my plate with freelancing and blogging.
I decided to outsource it. It was nice knowing that everything was taken care of for me. I chose to purchase an SSL certificate from Namecheap.
I’m sure that this tutorial will help bloggers who still haven’t made the switch. Thanks for taking the time to share this tutorial, have a great day ?
Susan
Hey Ravi,
Good post.
I have two hosting companies and one of them is Bluehost. They had the option to do it yourself and it was really fairly easy to do.
The other hosting company wasn’t as easy or smooth and I have to oursource this clearly because it’s where I’m hosting my “money site”. So this is something that NEEDS to be done, clearly.
– Andrew
Hi Ravi,
Yes, you are right Google not only giving a ranking boost to Secure HTTPS/SSL site even it also creates a trustworthiness for a website.
I’m a web designer/developer and working from last 7 years in this field then knew about SSL. When I made my plan to start blogging my first priority was, the website should have an SSL Certificate and Web Security.
You did a great job. This article really helps beginners.
Thank you for sharing an informative and interesting article with us.
– Rajinder
Hey Ravi,
I have installed SSL on my site few months back. The main problem after installing SSL is the mixed content error. Thanks to my web hosting company they have done everything for me.
Now my site is secure. I also want to tell you that SSL is definitely helps blogger to rank their site. I know that SSL itself won’t rank you, but having SSL is beneficial for them. I have seen a hike in rankings after installing SSL. Thanks for this detailed post.
Have a great day ?
Vishwajeet
Hi Ravi,
Great post, I agree, SSL is the most part of the internet now. A year ago I migrated to Siteground for this reason alone; they offer free SSL.
Very informative post, thanks for sharing! ?
Hi Ravi,
Yes SSL enabled sites will do well in future because as you said Google announced to make it mandatory for WordPress.
Recently I also switched from http to https by using sslforfree. The process is very easy and also it is free for lifetime.
Anyway as usual very informative article.
Thanks for sharing.
Hi Ravi,
Thanks for an interesting tutorial.
I am using cloudflare method for HTTPS currently, but thinking of moving to a full HTPPS next month as I am not perfectly comfortable with cloudflare flexible ssl.
~ Donna
Hi Ravi,
I just used the Cloudflare version to update my website. Thank you so much for this tutorial! It worked like a charm….and save me some extra bucks!
B
Hey Bren,
I am glad this could help you. Have a great week ahead.
Thanks.
~Ravi