Installing an SSL certificate is no longer optional for WordPress websites, it’s a critical step to protect user data, build trust, and improve your search engine rankings. SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encrypts the connection between your website and its visitors, ensuring that sensitive information, such as login details, contact forms, and payment data, remains safe from hackers. When SSL is active, your site switches from HTTP to HTTPS, displaying a secure padlock in the browser that reassures users your website is safe to visit.
Beyond security, SSL also plays a key role in SEO. Search engines like Google consider HTTPS a ranking signal, meaning secure websites are more likely to perform better in search results. Without an SSL certificate, visitors may see “Not Secure” warnings, which can increase bounce rates and damage your site’s credibility.
In this guide, you’ll learn simple, beginner-friendly steps to install an SSL certificate in WordPress, activate HTTPS correctly, and avoid common mistakes that can affect performance or rankings. Whether you’re using a free SSL from your hosting provider or premium WordPress themes with built-in security features, this tutorial will help you secure your WordPress website and boost its SEO with confidence.
What is an SSL Certificate in WordPress?
An SSL Certificate in WordPress is a security protocol that encrypts the data exchanged between your website and its visitors. It ensures that sensitive information, such as login credentials, contact form details, and payment data, remains private and protected from unauthorised access by hackers. SSL is essential for every WordPress website, not just eCommerce sites. Here’s why:
- Improves Website Security : A WordPress security check protects user data from being stolen or altered.
- Boosts SEO Rankings : Google considers HTTPS a ranking factor, so SSL helps improve search visibility.
- Builds User Trust : Visitors are more likely to trust and interact with a secure website.
- Required for Modern Browsers : Browsers like Chrome mark non-HTTPS websites as “Not Secure.”
- Mandatory for Online Payments : SSL is required for WooCommerce and payment gateways.
How to Obtain an SSL Certificate for Your WordPress Website?
Most modern WordPress hosts (like SiteGround, Bluehost, Hostinger, and DreamHost) include a free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate with every plan.
- Log in to your hosting provider’s dashboard.
- Look for icons labelled "SSL Manager," "Let's Encrypt," or "Security."
- Choose the domain you want to secure.
- The host will automatically generate the certificate and install it on your server.
- It usually takes anywhere from 1 minute to an hour to activate.
How to Install SSL Certificate in WordPress?
Installing an SSL certificate in WordPress is a straightforward process. In most cases, your hosting provider handles the technical part, you just need to enable it and configure WordPress correctly. Below is a complete, beginner-friendly step-by-step guide.
Method 1: Install SSL Certificate in WordPress Using a Hosting Provider
To install SSL Certificate in WordPress, your web hosting provider is the simplest and most reliable approach, especially for beginners. Since most modern hosts, including vps hosting for wordpress include free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates, you don’t need to purchase or manually configure anything. Follow the steps below to secure your WordPress site using your web host.
Step 1: Activate the SSL Certificate on Your Hosting Server
Before WordPress can use HTTPS, the SSL certificate must be enabled at the server level. While the interface differs across hosting platforms, the process remains largely the same.
- Log in to your web hosting control panel
- Navigate to the Security, SSL/TLS, or Let’s Encrypt section
- Locate your domain name in the list
- If the domain is marked as Not Secure, click Install, Enable, Provision, or Run AutoSSL
- Your host will automatically issue and install a free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate, often covering both non-www and www versions
- The activation usually takes a few minutes. Once completed, your domain should display a Secure status or padlock icon in the hosting dashboard.
Step 2: Change WordPress URLs to HTTPS
With SSL active on the server, the next step is to update WordPress so it starts using the secure protocol.
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard using the existing http:// URL
- Go to Settings → General
- Update both fields:
- WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL)
- Replace http://yourdomain.com with https://yourdomain.com
- Click Save Changes
- WordPress may log you out automatically; this is normal. Simply log back in using the new HTTPS address.
Step 3: Force HTTPS and Resolve Mixed Content Issues
Even after enabling SSL, some resources may still load over HTTP. This results in mixed content warnings and prevents the padlock from appearing consistently. The easiest fix is using a lightweight SSL plugin.
Using Really Simple SSL:
- Go to Plugins → Add New
- Search for Really Simple SSL
- Install and activate the plugin
- The plugin will automatically detect your SSL certificate
- Click “Go ahead, activate SSL!” when prompted
After activation:
- Clear your browser cache
- Clear the cache from any caching plugin.
- Open your site in an incognito window
- Your website should now automatically redirect to https://yourdomain.com and display the secure padlock icon.
Method 2: Install SSL Certificate in WordPress Using a Plugin
To install SSL certificate in WordPress, the web host is the preferred "server-side" method; you can also handle the entire process from within your WordPress dashboard using a plugin. This is ideal if you are uncomfortable navigating hosting control panels. The most reliable tool for this is Really Simple Security.
Step 1: Install the SSL Plugin
- Log in to your WordPress Dashboard.
- Go to Plugins > Add New.
- Search for "Really Simple SSL".
- Click Install Now, then Activate.
Step 2: Generate the Certificate
- Upon activation, the plugin will launch a setup wizard to check your site's environment.
- If the plugin detects you already have a certificate, it will show a blue button: "Go ahead, activate SSL!" Click it, and you're done.
- If no certificate is found, the plugin now includes a feature to generate a free Let's Encrypt certificate directly.
- Follow the prompts to enter your email and agree to the terms.
- The plugin will attempt to verify your domain ownership automatically.
- Once verified, it will generate the certificate and install it for you.
Step 3: Enforce HTTPS & Fix Mixed Content
Once the certificate is active, the plugin does the "heavy lifting" to make sure your site stays secure:
- Redirects: It automatically sends all http:// visitors to https://.
- Mixed Content Fixer: This is the plugin's best feature. It scans your pages for old images or scripts still using HTTP and dynamically fixes them so you get the "Green Padlock" on every page.
- Site URL Update: It automatically updates your WordPress Address and Site Address in Settings > General.
Common Troubleshooting Issues When You Install SSL Certificate in WordPress
While you install SSL certificate in WordPress directly, you may sometimes run into issues that prevent the secure padlock from appearing or cause your site to behave unexpectedly. Below are the most common SSL troubleshooting issues for how to setup a WordPress website projects, along with clear fixes for each one.
1. Mixed Content Warnings
Problem:
Your site loads over HTTPS, but some images, scripts, or stylesheets still use HTTP, causing the browser to show “Not Secure.”
Solution:
- Install and activate Really Simple SSL
- Update hard-coded HTTP URLs in posts and pages
- Use a search-and-replace plugin to replace http:// with https://
- Clear the browser and site cache
2. SSL Certificate Not Detected by WordPress
Problem:
The SSL plugin says no certificate is found, even though SSL is enabled on your host.
Solution:
- Confirm SSL is installed in your hosting control panel
- Make sure the certificate is active for the correct domain
- Wait a few minutes after activation and refresh the plugin
3. Redirect Loop Error
Problem:
Your browser shows a “Too Many Redirects” error after enabling SSL.
Solution:
- Disable SSL plugins temporarily
- Check .htaccess for duplicate redirect rules
- Ensure WordPress and Site URLs both use https://
- Clear cookies and cache
4. Padlock Missing on Some Pages
Problem:
The homepage is secure, but the inner pages show warnings.
Solution:
- Scan the affected pages for HTTP resources
- Update embedded media and external links
- Clear CDN and plugin cache
5. Website Not Loading After Changing to HTTPS
Problem:
You can’t access the WordPress admin or frontend after updating URLs.
Solution:
Access your site using https:// Use phpMyAdmin to manually fix common WordPress issues Disable the SSL plugin via FTP if needed
Conclusion
The above blog thoroughly explains how to install SSL Certificate in WordPress easily. Installing an SSL certificate in WordPress is no longer optional; it’s a critical step toward building a secure, trustworthy, and search-engine-friendly website. With most hosting providers offering free SSL certificates and beginner-friendly plugins handling HTTPS enforcement, securing your WordPress site can be done in just a few simple steps.
Beyond protecting sensitive user data, SSL plays a key role in boosting SEO rankings, improving browser trust signals, and enhancing overall user experience. Whether you choose to activate SSL directly through your web host or utilize a WP theme bundle to ensure your design elements load over secure connections, the result is the same: a safer website that both users and search engines trust.
By properly installing and verifying SSL, you future-proof your WordPress site against security warnings, reduce bounce rates, and strengthen your online credibility. If you haven’t enabled SSL yet, now is the perfect time to
