Why SSL Matters for Your WordPress Site
It helps protect user data, secure transactions, and boost search engine rankings. For WordPress websites, SSL has become a must-have, especially with the growing focus on online security in 2024.
What is SSL?
SSL encrypts the data sent between your website and its visitors, including passwords and credit card information. This encryption helps keep hackers from accessing sensitive data.Â
SSL is essential for websites that handle personal or payment information. This includes e-commerce stores, membership sites, and any site with login forms.
Enabling SSL changes your website URL from HTTP to HTTPS, with the ‘S‘ standing for secure. Browsers also display a padlock symbol next to the URL, signaling that the website is secure.
Why SSL Matters for Your WordPress Site?
1. Security Benefits
- Data Protection: SSL encrypts the data between your website and its users, making it hard for attackers to access or read it. This is particularly important if you collect personal information or handle payments.
- Securing Transactions: For e-commerce sites, SSL protects sensitive customer details, like credit card numbers and billing addresses.
- Preventing Cyberattacks: SSL stops hackers from intercepting and stealing data during communication between users and your server.
2. Trust Factors
- Browser Trust Indicators: SSL makes browsers show a padlock icon and HTTPS in the URL, letting users know your site is secure. This visible indicator makes visitors more likely to trust your site and proceed with purchases or sign-ups.
- Google Rankings: SSL is not just about security—it’s also about SEO. Since 2014, Google has used HTTPS as a ranking signal. Websites with SSL certificates tend to rank higher in search results than those without, which directly impacts your visibility.
- User Trust: Users are becoming increasingly aware of online security. A website without SSL might raise red flags for visitors, causing them to leave before they even explore your content. An SSL certificate reassures visitors that their data is safe on your site.
3. SEO Benefits
- Improved Site Speed: HTTPS can improve the loading speed of your website, which is another factor Google considers when ranking sites. Faster loading times can lead to better user experiences and higher search rankings.
- HTTPS as a Ranking Signal: Google prioritizes websites with HTTPS over those with just HTTP. By adding SSL, you’re signaling to search engines that your site is secure and trustworthy, giving you a potential SEO boost.
4. Legal and Compliance Requirements
- GDPR Compliance: If your site collects personal data from European users, SSL is required by GDPR. SSL helps you comply with GDPR if you collect personal data, like through contact forms or email sign-ups.
- PCI DSS Compliance: For online stores that accept credit card payments, SSL is required to meet PCI DSS standards.
How to Add SSL to WordPress?
Step 1: Choose the Right SSL Certificate
Domain Validation (DV):
This is the most basic SSL certificate. It only confirms domain ownership, meaning the SSL authority checks if you own the domain without needing extensive validation. It’s easy to obtain and ideal for blogs, small websites, or personal portfolios.
Organization Validation (OV):
OV SSL certificates involve a more thorough validation process. In addition to verifying domain ownership, the certificate authority checks some organizational details like the company’s name and address. This type of SSL is perfect for small to medium-sized businesses looking to secure their WordPress sites.
Extended Validation (EV):
EV SSL certificates offer the highest level of trust and security. The validation process is rigorous and includes a thorough background check of the organization.Â
EV certificates are commonly used by large corporations, financial institutions, or e-commerce sites that handle sensitive customer data. They display the green address bar and company name in the browser, signaling top-notch security.
Step 2: Purchase or Get a Free SSL Certificate
Free SSL Certificates (Let’s Encrypt):
Let’s Encrypt is a widely used, free SSL certificate provider. Many hosting companies offer Let’s Encrypt SSL integration, making it easy to install and renew the certificate automatically.Â
Free SSL certificates provide the same level of encryption as paid certificates but are typically Domain Validation (DV) only. If you’re on a budget and running a smaller site, Let’s Encrypt is a fantastic choice.
Paid SSL Certificates (SSL Hosting Packages):
For more comprehensive security, you can opt for a paid SSL certificate. These are often bundled with web hosting packages or can be purchased separately. Paid certificates offer additional features like warranty protection, higher trust levels, and extended validation.
Some popular providers include Comodo, DigiCert, and GlobalSign. Depending on the provider, paid SSL certificates can range from $10 to several hundred dollars annually.
Step 3: Install SSL Certificate
After purchasing or acquiring an SSL certificate, the next step is installation. Most hosting providers make the process simple by offering automatic SSL installation.
Here’s how you can manually install SSL via the hosting panel if needed:
Using cPanel:
1. Log into your cPanel dashboard.
2. Find the SSL/TLS section and click on Manage SSL Certificates.
3. Select your domain and upload the certificate files provided by your SSL certificate provider.
4. Click Install to apply the SSL to your WordPress site.
Using Plesk:
1. Log into your Plesk control panel.
2. Go to Websites & Domains, and select your domain.
3. Click on SSL/TLS Certificates, and upload your SSL files.
4. Click Install to finalize the installation..
If you use managed WordPress hosting, it usually takes care of installing and enabling SSL for you. Many popular hosting providers like SiteGround and Bluehost offer one-click SSL activation, making the process even simpler.
Step 4: Update Your WordPress Site to HTTPS
Update WordPress URLs:
Go to your WordPress dashboard, then navigate to Settings → General. Update both the WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) from HTTP to HTTPS. Save your changes.
Force HTTPS Using Plugins:
You can use a plugin like Really Simple SSL to automatically configure HTTPS across your site. The plugin handles the URL updates, redirects, and other necessary configurations.
Once installed and activated, the plugin will detect your SSL certificate and guide you through the steps to enable HTTPS site-wide.
Set Up 301 Redirects:
Ensure that visitors and search engines are redirected from HTTP to HTTPS by setting up 301 redirects. This can be done by adding the following code to your .htaccess file:
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c> RewriteEngine On RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off RewriteRule (.*) https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [R=301,L] </IfModule>
Step 5: Fix Mixed Content Issues
After enabling SSL and updating your WordPress site to HTTPS, you may encounter mixed content issues. Mixed content errors happen when your site serves elements like images, CSS, or scripts over HTTP instead of HTTPS.
Use a Plugin:
The Really Simple SSL plugin can fix most mixed content issues by making sure all resources load with HTTPS. You can also use the Better Search Replace plugin to find and replace any remaining HTTP URLs in your database.
Manually Update Content:
If plugins don’t fully resolve the issue, you can manually update your site’s content. Use a tool like Chrome Developer Tools to find HTTP elements causing the issue, then update the URLs in your theme files or database.
How to Verify Your SSL is Active?
Tools to Check SSL
SSL Checker:
You can use an SSL Checker to verify the status of your SSL certificate. Websites like SSLShopper or WhyNoPadlock allow you to enter your domain name and run a scan. These tools show details about your SSL certificate, such as its expiration date, installation status, and coverage for subdomains.
Browser Padlock:
The most immediate way to check if SSL is working is by looking at your browser’s address bar. An active SSL certificate shows a padlock icon next to your URL, and the URL will start with HTTPS. If you don’t see a padlock, check for SSL setup issues or mixed content problems.
How to Ensure All Pages Load via HTTPS
Check Pages Manually:
Visit key pages on your website and check that they load with HTTPS in the URL. Pages with a green padlock or a secure label are loading correctly. Pages without the padlock or marked as “Not Secure” might still have HTTP elements.
Use Online Scanners:
Tools like WhyNoPadlock or Jitbit SSL Check can scan your entire website and list any pages that are not fully secured with HTTPS. This helps ensure that your SSL certificate is working across your entire site and not just on the homepage.
Automated Redirect Testing:
Test your 301 redirects to ensure that visitors who land on your site via HTTP are being redirected to the HTTPS version. Use a 301 Redirect Checker to ensure that non-HTTPS traffic redirects to the secure version of your site.
Common SSL Issues and How to Solve Them
Expired SSL Certificates
Regularly Check Expiration Dates:
Most SSL certificates expire after 1 year. You can check the expiration date using an SSL checker or via your hosting provider’s control panel.
Set Up Renewal Alerts:
Set up email alerts with your hosting provider or SSL vendor to remind you when it’s time to renew your certificate. Many providers offer automatic renewal options.
Browser SSL Warnings
Check SSL Installation:
Verify that your SSL certificate is correctly installed and up to date. Use an SSL checker to diagnose any issues with the certificate configuration.
Resolve Mixed Content Errors:
As mentioned earlier, mixed content errors (where some parts of your site load over HTTP instead of HTTPS) can trigger browser warnings. Ensuring that all resources load via HTTPS will resolve this issue.
Mixed Content Errors
Fix Using Plugins:
Plugins like Really Simple SSL and Better Search Replace fix mixed content errors by ensuring all resources use HTTPS.
Manual Fixes:
If plugins don’t resolve the issue, manually update any URLs in your theme files or database that still point to HTTP. Use browser developer tools to identify which specific files are causing the problem.
Redirect Loop Errors
Check .htaccess File:
Make sure your .htaccess file (or similar server file) has the right 301 redirect code to direct all traffic to HTTPS. Be careful not to have conflicting redirects set up in multiple places (e.g., plugins and server configuration).
Clear Cache:
Clear your WordPress and browser caches to stop old redirects from appearing. Sometimes outdated cache can cause redirect loops even when your settings are correct.
