Ensuring the security of your website is crucial for protecting your users' data and maintaining their trust. One effective way to enhance security is by installing a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate, which encrypts connections between your website and users. For WordPress sites, you can activate and set up free SSL, which can significantly improve your website’s SEO performance, and offer your visitors a secure browsing experience. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of setting up SSL on your WordPress site, specifically for DotsDen and Zebyte Cloud hosting services.
What is SSL, and Why is it Important?
SSL is a standard security protocol that creates encrypted connections between a browser address bar and a website’s server, ensuring secure connections for sensitive information like payment details or login credentials. When enabled, a small digital lock appears in the browser’s address bar, indicating a secure site. This not only builds user trust but also helps avoid Mixed Content Warnings and security warning notifications.
Without SSL, your site becomes vulnerable to potential hackers, especially during sensitive operations like online payments or account logins. Ensuring that your website uses the secure version of the internet protocol (HTTPS instead of HTTP) will safeguard your website and encourage users to interact more confidently with your content.
Step-by-Step Guide
To help you activate free SSL on your WordPress website hosted on DotsDen or Zebyte Cloud, follow this comprehensive guide:
1. Log into Your Admin Panel
Access your WordPress admin panel using your login credentials. For DotsDen and Zebyte Cloud customers, you can find detailed video tutorials on how to access the panel through your hosting dashboard.
2. Install the ‘Auto-Install Free SSL’ Plugin
One of the easiest ways to activate SSL on your WordPress site is by using the ‘Auto-Install Free SSL’ plugin. This hassle-free way allows you to set up SSL in just a few clicks. Navigate to the plugin menu, then Search plugins for "Auto-Install Free SSL." Once located, click the plugin installation option and activate it from your plugin zip file.
3. Select Your Domain
After activating the plugin, choose the domain you want to secure. If you have domain aliases, ensure you pick the correct one for SSL setup. This step ensures that SSL applies across all related domains.
4. Generate Free SSL Certificate
Once your domain is selected, the plugin will automatically generate an SSL certificate for you. This free SSL option usually comes with 90-day validity, so remember to renew it regularly. Certificates can be generated either using the CNAME records or via DNS records, depending on your hosting provider’s configuration.
For Zebyte Cloud customers, you can utilize the free SSL generation process seamlessly within the control panel.
5. Force HTTPS Redirect
After generating the SSL certificate, it’s important to enforce HTTPS across your site. This ensures that all visitors are routed through the secure version of your website. You can activate this feature within the plugin's settings or manually by editing the .htaccess file on your server.
6. Check for Mixed Content
Sometimes, after enabling SSL, you may face Mixed Content Warnings in the address bar. This typically happens when some site elements still load over HTTP instead of HTTPS. To fix this issue, review your site's content for insecure URLs and update them accordingly. Tools like SSL Insecure Content Fixer can help scan and correct these URLs automatically.
Managing Common SSL Issues
1. Invalid Email or Domain Issues
During the SSL setup, you might encounter errors like invalid email or domain name issues. It’s important to ensure that your email address and domain information is correctly set up in your hosting account. If you're using domain validation, double-check that your domain records and DNS records are updated correctly.
2. Frequent Certificate Renewal
Free SSL certificates typically last for 90 days. To avoid certificate expiry dates slipping past you, enable notifications by email so you're alerted ahead of time. You can also set up email notifications for any issues that arise with your certificate. Both DotsDen and Zebyte Cloud offer automated SSL renewal features to make the process easier.
3. Self-Signed Certificates vs. Free SSL
Sometimes, you may opt for self-signed certificates. While they can be generated without any certificate authority, they lack the validation and trust provided by third-party SSL certificates. This could result in security warnings for your users. To avoid this, always choose validated SSL certificates from your hosting provider.
4. Plugin Conflicts
In some cases, additional plugins may conflict with your SSL plugin. Be sure to troubleshoot these by deactivating one plugin at a time to identify the issue. Plugin-related errors often arise from plugin deletion, plugin deactivation options, or even a mismatch with your DNS records.
Ensuring Continuous Security with SSL
After setting up your SSL certificate, it’s essential to maintain and monitor your website’s security regularly. Use DotsDen's built-in tools to check for expired certificates and SSL errors. Keeping your SSL certificates up-to-date not only offers extra security but also ensures user experience remains smooth, especially for e-commerce sites that handle sensitive payment details.
For Zebyte Cloud users, robust server backups and server management options ensure your site is protected against server-related issues that could affect SSL performance.
Conclusion
By following these step instructions, you can easily activate and set up free SSL for your WordPress site hosted with DotsDen or Zebyte Cloud. This security measure not only safeguards your site from hackers but also boosts user trust and improves your Google Chrome ranking by offering a secure version of your website. The built-in SSL plugin makes the process seamless, allowing even advanced users to quickly manage SSL without technical complications.
Whether you’re running an online store, blog, or corporate website, having an SSL-enabled site is a crucial step toward building a secure and trustworthy online presence.
