I know having the Not Secure Padlock instead of having the Green Secure one on your web browser is one the most annoying & worrisome alarming message that you can't tolerate as a webmaster!
An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is not only essential for your website security but also ensure proper site health & impact positively on your website SEO (Search Engine Optimization).
A recent survey on SSL certificate says, people really like Green Padlock on their website padlock, but don’t want to spend any money on it!.
The reason behind not having an SSL is a limited budget for buying the SSL & of course people wants the best one at the lowest possible price.
At the primary stage of launching the website, most of the people don’t want to spend any money until they start generating any revenue!.
But is this really a good idea of not having an SSL just to save money & later you must have to install it!
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In my opinion, you will make a big mistake if you don’t install SSL at the early stage of installing WordPress on your website. The reason behind I am telling this is, “Something is better than nothing!.”
How to Install Free SSL Certificate on My WordPress Website?
You will find multiple SSL certificate provider including Let's Encrypt offering free SSL certificates that you can use free of cost & make your website padlock green.
If you are a webmaster & struggling to find the possible way to get rid of this torture without spending a single penny, I suggest you read this post carefully & apply this step by step method.
HTTPS SSL Certificate
How Can I Install Free SSL Certificate or HTTPS for Free?
Before we discuss, how we can install free SSL, we need the foundations of SSL working methods. This will help us ensure proper installation & help you using the SSL for free forever!
SSL uses the HTTPS protocol that stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. It’s basically a protocol where encrypted HTTP data passes through a secured connection.
How Does the SSL Certificate Create a Secure Connection?
In general, there are 5 common steps involved to ensure a secured connection, when a user requests specific data from a secured website.
- Browser Connects the Server
- Server Made the Connection
- Browser Checks the SSL Certificate
- Server Decrypts Session Key
- Browser & Server Encrypt Transmitted Data
HTTP defines a set of request methods & perform data transfer depending on Browsers action to Server. Methods involved in this process are listed below.
- Get Method
- Head Method
- Post Method
- Put Method
- Connect Method
- Delete Method
- Option Method
- Trace Method
- Patch Method
The definitions of different methods listed above you can find on the Mozilla Developers website.
How Can I Get a Free SSL Certificate?
Most of the hosting provider is now offering free SSL certificates with different hosting packages. If you purchase any hosting service from them, you will get SSL certificates including with the hosting package.
Depending on hosting providers, you need to follow their instruction guide to install their hosting package.
Where can I get a free SSL certificate?
But if you want complete free SSL service without purchasing any hosting package, then I can share a bonus tip that will both save your money & help you installing in any cPanel Hosting effortlessly!.
How Do I Install a Free SSL Certificate on Cpanel?
Well, you will find multiple providers who is offering free SSL. CloudFlare, Zero SSL & Let's Encrypt are some popular free SSL certificate provider what you can use to install free SSL on your website.
SSLForFree.com is affiliated with Let’s Encrypt & offering completely free SSL certificate that you can easily install on a cPanel hosting just following below steps.
They will provide you CA (Certificates), Private Key, Certificate Signing Request (CSR) & other information that you need to use on your free SSL setup process.
Steps to Migrate WordPress from Http to Https
- Generate the SSL Certificate Using the Domain
- Manually Verify & Download the SSL Files
- Upload the Certificate Credentials
- Verify the Certificate & Complete Installation
- Convert http:// to https:// Avoid Mixed Content Issue
Generate the SSL Certificate Using the Domain
To install the SSL, first of all, you need to generate SSL certificate using the domain name. Your next step is downloading the certificate credentials and save it for future use.
Note: Add all the subdomains & service prefixes including www, mail, webmail & cpanel.
Completely Free SSL Certificate
Manually Verify & Download the SSL Files
How to Manually Verify SSL for Free?
Click the manual verification button this will expand verification panel where you will find few files that you need to upload on your hosting.
As you need to upload the files in a hidden folder that starts with a dot (.) prefix, so you need to make all hidden files visible first. Then create a .well-known folder & follow the instructions to upload verification files.
Free SSL Verification & Download
Upload the Certificate Credentials
To upload the certificate credentials, you need to find the SSL/TLS option on your cPanel hosting. Then upload CA (Certificates), Private Key, Certificate Signing Request (CSR) using the convenient options.
SSL/TLS Option cPanel Hosting
Verify the Certificate & Complete Installation
Once you upload all the files, you need to verify the certificate & your installation process will be completed. For security reasons, SSLForFree authority changes the installation process, but don’t bring any major changes.
You need to read the installation process carefully and follow the video instructions carefully.
Where to Upload SSL Credentials
Convert http:// to https:// Avoid Mixed Content Issue
You need to redirect all the http links into https version to finish your installation process. Most of the time people experience HTTPS error even they install it correctly.
You can follow the tutorial, How to Fix Mixed Content Error After Installing the HTTP on WordPress?
However, I suggest you installing Really Simple SSL to do you everything for you. Also, you can use the Auto Install Free SSL Plugin that will help you fixing the mixed content error after SSL installation.
If you added any http:// links manually, then you need to change it & update with https:// version. Otherwise, you may experience “Your Connection in This Site is Not Fully Secure” alert when someone visits your website.
Conclusion:
So, I suggest you follow all the above steps & watch the video tutorial to install free SSL on your website effortlessly.
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