How to add SSL and HTTPS in WordPress

Do you want to install an SSL certificate on your WordPress site? Installing an SSL certificate tells your visitors that they are on a secure connection. With it, you can build trust in your website among your visitors.

In this guide, we will show you how to add SSL and HTTPS to your site.

Here is a table of contents so you can easily navigate through the post:

What is SSL and HTTPS?
Why do you need SSL and HTTPS?
Using SSL on your WordPress site
1. Get free SSL with your web host
2. Install SSL with a third-party provider
3. Install SSL with a plugin
Developer Guide: How to Add SSL and HTTPS
Frequently Asked Questions

What is SSL and HTTPS?

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is an industry-standard security measure that creates an encrypted link between your visitors’ browsers and your website.

Using SSL and HTTPS ensures that all data transmitted between you and your visitor remains encrypted. Simply put, SSL allows for a secure connection between you and your visitor to ensure that only authorized individuals can access the information presented on your website.When you install an SSL certificate on your website, the URL of your website will be prefixed with HTTPs , instead of HTTP.Additionally, el salvador phone number library a small green lock icon will also be displayed, indicating to your visitors that they are on a secure connection.

Why do you need SSL and HTTPS?

Many website owners mistakenly duplicator review: we tested its backups and migration assume that SSL is only for websites that accept online payments. The reality is that ALL websites need an SSL certificate.

Below are some advantages of using SSL and HTTPS on your website:

1. Website performance

It has been reported that websites delivered over HTTP/2 perform 50-70 percent faster than sites delivered over HTTP/1.1.

To increase performance and take advantage of HTTP/2, your website should run over HTTPS as it is supported by browsers.

2. SEO Ranking

Google uses SSL as a ranking signal in its search results. This means that fanto data if you install SSL on your website and apply SEO best practices , you will have a better chance of ranking higher in search results than your competitors who have not installed SSL.

3. Trust and security

The visual signals that appear in your visitor’s browser as part of your SSL certificate may seem small. However, many of your visitors look for these trust signals before sharing private information with you on your website.

In fact, studies show that 77% of your website visitors are concerned about their data being intercepted or misused online. And 90% of your visitors are more likely to trust a website if it displays security indicators.

Adding SSL is the best way to build trust in your website and encourage your customers to share sensitive information with you without having to worry about a security breach. You can learn more about keeping your website secure in our ultimate guide to WordPress security .

Using SSL on your WordPress site

To install SSL on your site, you must first obtain an SSL certificate. There are different ways to do this:

1. 1. Get a free SSL from your web host

An SSL certificate typically costs around $49.99, but if you use Bluehost as your hosting provider, you’ll get a free SSL certificate , plus a free domain name, along with your web hosting purchase. In total, the purchase will cost you just $2.75 per month.

Click here to claim this exclusive Bluehost offer”

In your Bluehost control panel, go to the My Sites » Security section .

Next, toggle the switch to enable SSL on your site. And that’s it. If you have any issues with the installation, please contact your web host’s customer support and they will help you out.

It’s easy, right? So for beginners, we recommend using a hosting company that offers free SSL certificates because they will also install them on your website; meaning you don’t have to worry about anything.

Here is a list of the best WordPress hosting providers on the market that offer a free SSL certificate:

Bluehost
Dreamhost
SiteGround
InMotion Hosting
WPEngine
Liquid Web
GreenGeeks

If you are already a customer of any of the hosting companies mentioned above, you can ask their customer support team to enable an SSL certificate on your website for free.

2. Install an SSL certificate from a third-party provider

If your web host does not offer SSL or you want to use third-party options, you can obtain an SSL certificate from sources such as:

Lets Encrypt – Free and affordable certificates
SSL.com – Comprehensive protection starting at $36.75 per year
DigiCert – High-security certificates at a wide range of prices

Once you have purchased or downloaded your own certificate, you will need to upload it to your site using cPanel.

We’ll show you how to do this with Bluehost, but the steps remain the same for most hosts.