Installing SSL is an essential step in securing your website and improving SEO. For any a blog site, or a store, or any other type of website, adding SSL is a straightforward process.
6 Easy Steps to Install SSL
It might feel technical at first, but with most hosting providers offering simple tools and free SSL options, the process is quick and easy.
Let’s break it down step by step so anyone can follow along.
Step 1: Check If SSL is Already Included
Before diving in, check with your hosting provider (the company hosting your website). Many providers offer free SSL certificates as part of their hosting plans. Popular hosts like Babal Host, Bluehost, and SiteGround often include SSL with their packages.
If it’s included, all you might need to do is enable it.
Step 2: Log Into Your Hosting Account
Access your hosting account dashboard. This is where you manage your website’s settings. Look for a section called SSL/TLS or Security Settings—most hosting dashboards have it.
Step 3: Activate SSL
- In the SSL section, you’ll see options to activate a free SSL certificate (like Let’s Encrypt) or purchase a premium one.
- Select the free SSL option unless you need advanced features (e.g., for e-commerce or sensitive data).
- Click Activate or Install and wait for the process to complete. This usually takes just a few minutes.
Step 4: Update Your Website to Use HTTPS
Once SSL is installed, your website needs to switch from http:// to https://. All visitors will be now accessing the secure version of your site.
Here’s how to do it:
- Update the URL in Your Website Settings:
If you’re using WordPress, go to Settings > General and update the “WordPress Address” and “Site Address” fields to use https://. - Set Up a Redirect:
Use your hosting control panel or a plugin (like Really Simple SSL for WordPress) to redirect all visitors from http:// to https://.
Step 5: Test Your SSL Installation
After installing SSL, make sure everything works.
- Visit your website and check for the padlock symbol (🔒) in the browser address bar.
- Use free tools like SSL Labs’ SSL Test to verify that your SSL is correctly configured.
Step 6: Update Links (Optional but Recommended)
If your site has internal links that use http://, update them to https://. This is for consistency and avoids browser warnings.
Once you’ve installed SSL, you’ll not only protect your visitors but also boost your website’s credibility and ranking. But if you are site owner or an SEO expert like me – you might face SSL errors even after installations.
And some problems are head scratchers – Let’s look into these issues one by one and figure out best ways to solve them.
