Introduction to SSL Certificates
An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is a digital certificate that authenticates your website's identity and enables an encrypted connection. When your website has an SSL certificate, the URL begins with "https://" instead of "http://" and displays a padlock icon in the browser address bar.
Benefits of SSL Certificates
- Security: Encrypts data transmitted between your website and visitors
- Trust: Shows visitors your site is secure, building credibility
- SEO: Google gives ranking preference to secure HTTPS websites
- Browser Compatibility: Avoids "Not Secure" warnings in modern browsers
- Payment Processing: Required for websites accepting online payments
What You'll Need
- A registered domain name
- Active web hosting account with access to the control panel
- Access to your domain's DNS settings (if using external DNS)
Types of SSL Certificates
There are several types of SSL certificates, each offering different levels of validation and security:
| Certificate Type |
Validation Level |
Best For |
Typical Cost |
| Domain Validated (DV) |
Basic - Verifies domain ownership only |
Blogs, personal websites, small businesses |
Free - $50/year |
| Organization Validated (OV) |
Medium - Verifies organization details |
Business websites, e-commerce sites |
$50 - $150/year |
| Extended Validation (EV) |
High - Rigorous organization verification |
Financial institutions, large e-commerce sites |
$150 - $500+/year |
| Wildcard SSL |
Varies - Covers main domain and unlimited subdomains |
Websites with multiple subdomains |
$100 - $700+/year |
| Multi-Domain (SAN) |
Varies - Covers multiple domains |
Businesses with multiple websites |
$100 - $500+/year |
For Beginners
For most personal websites and small businesses, a free Let's Encrypt SSL certificate or a basic Domain Validated SSL is perfectly adequate and secure.
Setting Up SSL: Common Methods
Method 1: Using Let's Encrypt (Free SSL)
Let's Encrypt provides free, automated SSL certificates. Most modern hosting providers offer one-click Let's Encrypt integration.
With cPanel Hosting:
- Log in to your cPanel account
- Find the "Security" or "SSL/TLS" section
- Look for "Let's Encrypt SSL" or similar option
- Select your domain from the list
- Click "Issue" or "Install"
- The certificate will be automatically installed and configured
Example of Let's Encrypt SSL option in cPanel
With Other Hosting Providers:
Most popular hosting providers have their own implementation:
- SiteGround: Go to Site Tools > Security > SSL Manager
- Bluehost: Access My Sites > Manage Site > Security tab > SSL certificate
- HostGator: Navigate to the SSL section in your control panel
- Dreamhost: SSL/TLS Certificates in the panel sidebar
Let's Encrypt Certificates Expire After 90 Days
Don't worry—most hosting providers automatically renew Let's Encrypt certificates before they expire. Check with your provider to confirm this is the case.
Method 2: Installing a Purchased SSL Certificate
If you've purchased an SSL certificate from a provider like Comodo, DigiCert, or GoDaddy, you'll need to install it manually. This is a more complex process that generally involves these steps:
- Generate a CSR (Certificate Signing Request)
- Log in to your hosting control panel
- Find the SSL section and look for "Generate CSR"
- Fill in the required information (domain, organization, location)
- Submit and copy the generated CSR code
- Purchase and Activate Your SSL Certificate
- Submit the CSR to your SSL provider
- Complete the verification process required by your provider
- Download the issued certificate files
- Install the Certificate
- Return to your hosting control panel's SSL section
- Find the "Install SSL Certificate" option
- Upload or paste the certificate files (typically CRT, CA Bundle, and Private Key)
- Submit and wait for installation to complete
Important Note About Private Keys
Never share your private key with anyone! This is a sensitive file that should remain secure on your server.
Method 3: Using Cloudflare (Free SSL Alternative)
Cloudflare offers a free plan that includes SSL protection without needing to install a certificate on your server:
- Create a free Cloudflare account at cloudflare.com
- Add your website to your Cloudflare account
- Update your domain's nameservers to point to Cloudflare's nameservers
- In the Cloudflare dashboard, go to the SSL/TLS section
- Set SSL mode to "Flexible," "Full," or "Full (Strict)" depending on your needs
Cloudflare SSL Options
Flexible: Encryption between visitor and Cloudflare only (easiest but not end-to-end)
Full: Encryption along the entire connection, but doesn't verify your server's certificate
Full (Strict): Complete encryption and requires a valid SSL certificate on your server
After Installing SSL: Required Updates
Once your SSL certificate is installed, you need to ensure your website properly uses HTTPS.
1. Set Up Redirects from HTTP to HTTPS
This ensures visitors always use the secure version of your site, even if they type the "http://" version:
Using .htaccess (Apache servers)
Add these lines to your .htaccess file in your website's root directory:
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]
Using Web.config (Windows/IIS servers)
Add these lines in the <system.webServer> section:
<rewrite>
<rules>
<rule name="HTTP to HTTPS redirect" stopProcessing="true">
<match url="(.*)" />
<conditions>
<add input="{HTTPS}" pattern="off" ignoreCase="true" />
</conditions>
<action type="Redirect" url="https://{HTTP_HOST}/{R:1}" redirectType="Permanent" />
</rule>
</rules>
</rewrite>
Using Your Hosting Control Panel
Many hosting providers offer a simple toggle in their control panel:
- cPanel: Look for "SSL/TLS" > "Redirect HTTP to HTTPS"
- SiteGround: Site Tools > Site > HTTPS Settings > "HTTPS Enforce"
- WordPress: If using WordPress, you can change the site URL in Settings > General
2. Update Internal Links and Resources
Make sure all content on your website references the HTTPS version:
- Update internal links to use HTTPS instead of HTTP
- Ensure images, CSS, JavaScript, and other resources use HTTPS paths
- Update hardcoded URLs in your database (for content management systems)
Protocol-Relative URLs
To avoid issues when linking resources, consider using protocol-relative URLs, which work for both HTTP and HTTPS:
Instead of http://example.com/style.css or https://example.com/style.css
Use //example.com/style.css
3. Update External Services
Remember to update any external services that reference your website:
- Google Analytics or other analytics platforms
- Google Search Console (add the HTTPS version as a new property)
- Social media profiles
- Email signatures and marketing materials
- API integrations
SSL Certificate Maintenance
Renewal
All SSL certificates expire and must be renewed periodically:
- Let's Encrypt: 90-day validity, usually auto-renewed by hosting providers
- Commercial SSL: Typically 1-2 year validity, manual renewal required
Renewal Best Practices
Renew your certificate at least a week before expiration to avoid downtime. Many providers send renewal notices by email.
Monitoring
Regularly check your SSL implementation:
- Set up monitoring tools to alert you about upcoming expirations
- Periodically run SSL tests to ensure optimal configuration
- Check for new SSL vulnerabilities and update accordingly