Today website security is more important than ever. If you’re running a WordPress website, securing it with an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is a must. SSL not only keeps your data safe but also boosts your SEO rankings and builds trust with your visitors. As someone with over a decade of experience working with WordPress, I’ve seen firsthand how crucial SSL is for both site security and overall success. In this guide, I’ll walk you through How to Install SSL on WordPress Site for beginners step-by-step, including the process of installing SSL via cPanel, which is a common method for many hosting platforms.


What Is SSL and Why Does Your WordPress Website Need It?

Before we dive into the installation process, it’s worth noting that quality hosting providers like Kinsta and Pressable include SSL certificates by default with their hosting packages. If you’re just starting out, consider these managed WordPress hosting solutions for a hassle-free experience.

 

Cloudflare

SSL is a security protocol that creates an encrypted connection between a web server and a browser. This encryption ensures that sensitive data—such as passwords, credit card numbers, or personal information—is protected from potential hackers.

Why SSL Matters for WordPress

  • Enhanced Security SSL encrypts communication between the browser and the server, protecting user data from cyber-attacks and making your site more secure for visitors.
  • Boosts SEO Google has confirmed that SSL is a ranking factor. Websites with SSL certificates rank higher in search engine results, which means better visibility for your site.
  • Increases Trust with Visitors When visitors see the padlock icon next to your website’s URL, they know that their connection is secure. This increases user trust, especially when visitors need to share personal or payment information.
  • Prevents Browser Warnings Without SSL, browsers like Chrome display a “Not Secure” warning next to your URL, which can deter users from visiting your site. SSL prevents this and ensures your site is presented as safe.

How to Install SSL on WordPress Site: A Step-by-Step Guide

Installing SSL on your WordPress site is a straightforward process. I’ll break down the steps for you, including how to install SSL using cPanel, which is common for many hosting providers.


Step 1: Choose a Hosting Provider with SSL Support

When selecting a hosting provider, it’s crucial to choose one that offers robust SSL support. I recommend checking out WordPress.com for managed WordPress hosting, or Cloudways for a more customizable solution. Both options provide excellent SSL support and security features.

Securing your website with SSL certificates has become more important than ever. Whether you’re running a personal blog or a business site, SSL is a must for protecting your visitors’ data and boosting your SEO rankings. If you’re using Hostinger for your web or cloud hosting, you’ll benefit from free Lifetime SSL certificates for all of your domains and subdomains. Here’s how to get started with SSL and what to do if you need to install it manually.

SSL Made Easy: Automatic SSL Installation with Hostinger

When you purchase any of Hostinger’s web or cloud hosting plans, you’ll receive free Lifetime SSL certificates for every domain and subdomain you add to your hosting account. This means that as soon as you add your domains and subdomains, they will automatically have their own SSL certificate installed—saving you time and effort.

For users creating sites with Hostinger Website Builder, SSL is also included automatically. If you’re working with the website builder, refer to this dedicated guide: Website Builder: SSL.

How to Manually Install Lifetime SSL (If Needed)

In rare cases, you might need to manually install or reinstall an SSL certificate on your domain. If SSL isn’t automatically installed, or if you need to reinstall it after an uninstallation, follow these easy steps to get back on track.

1. Ensure Your Domain or Subdomain Is Added to Your Hosting Plan

Before you begin, make sure that the domain or subdomain is properly linked to your hosting plan. If your domain isn’t added yet, log in to Hostinger’s control panel, and add it to your plan.

2. Access Your Website Dashboard

Once your domain is added, go to the Websites section in your Hostinger account. Find the site you want to secure with SSL and click on the Dashboard button next to it.

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3. Open SSL Settings in the Sidebar

From the website dashboard, look for the SSL section in the sidebar. You can easily search for SSL using the search bar at the top of the sidebar. Once you find it, open the SSL settings page.

4. Click on Install SSL

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In the SSL settings page, you’ll see an option to Install SSL. If the Import SSL or Install SSL buttons are not visible, it likely means an SSL certificate has already been installed on that domain or subdomain. In that case, you’ll need to uninstall the existing SSL certificate before installing a new one.

Once you click Install SSL, the process will start. The status will initially show as Installing and, within a few minutes, it will change to Active when the installation is complete.

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Troubleshooting SSL Installation

If the SSL certificate installation fails, check the following:

  • Domain Pointing: Make sure your domain is correctly pointed to Hostinger’s servers. Sometimes, it takes a little while for DNS changes to propagate.
  • Propagation Time: If you just added your domain to your hosting plan, allow some time for propagation. Once it’s complete, try reinstalling the SSL.

After the SSL is successfully installed, verify the certificate by visiting your website in an incognito window or after clearing your browser’s cache. This will ensure that you’re viewing the most up-to-date version of your site.

Can SSL Certificates Be Reused?

With Hostinger, you don’t need to worry about reusing SSL certificates. All domains and subdomains hosted on Hostinger come with their own free SSL certificates, so each domain gets its own dedicated certificate.

If you ever decide to remove an SSL certificate from a domain, you can uninstall it. Once uninstalled, the certificate will be deleted from your account. If you need to add a new SSL certificate later, you can easily do so by following the steps outlined above.

SSL Certificates Are Exclusively for Hostinger Hosting

It’s important to note that the free Lifetime SSL certificates provided by Hostinger are only valid for websites hosted on Hostinger’s web or cloud hosting plans. These certificates cannot be downloaded or transferred to another hosting provider, such as a VPS or third-party server.


Why Choose Hostinger for SSL?

With Hostinger, securing your website with SSL has never been easier. The automatic installation of Lifetime SSL certificates for all domains and subdomains is a significant time-saver. Plus, their user-friendly dashboard and SSL management tools make it simple to install and manage your SSL certificates with just a few clicks.

If you’re just starting out or need a reliable hosting provider that makes security a priority, Hostinger offers affordable and secure hosting plans with SSL included. Plus, their customer support is always ready to assist with any SSL-related issues you might face. Check out Hostinger’s hosting plans here—with the added benefit of free Lifetime SSL certificates for all of your domains and subdomains.


By following these steps, you can rest assured that your site will be securely encrypted with an SSL certificate, providing a safer browsing experience for your visitors and boosting your site’s credibility. If you’re new to hosting or SSL, Hostinger makes it easy to get started with secure hosting and automatic SSL for all your domains.


Step 2: Install SSL via cPanel (If Your Hosting Provider Uses cPanel)

If your hosting provider uses cPanel, installing SSL is a smooth process. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

1. Log into Your cPanel Account

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The first step in securing your site with SSL is accessing your cPanel account. To do so, go to your hosting provider’s cPanel login page, typically at https://Your-Server-IP:2083.

  • Enter your Username and Password, then click the Log in button to access your cPanel dashboard.

2. Find the SSL/TLS Manager

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Once logged into cPanel, you need to locate the SSL/TLS Manager. To do this, you have two options:

  • Option 1: Scroll down to the Security section and click on the SSL/TLS button.
  • Option 2: Use the Search bar at the top-right corner of your cPanel dashboard and type “SSL” to quickly locate the SSL/TLS Manager.
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3. Generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR)

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Now it’s time to generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR), which is necessary to get your SSL certificate.

  • Navigate to the SSL/TLS Manager, then click on Certificate Signing Request (CSR).
  • Fill out the form to generate a new CSR. Be sure to carefully fill in all fields as they will be used to authenticate your SSL certificate.
  • Once you’ve filled out the form, click Generate.

Your CSR will appear in the top box under SSL Certificate Signing Request. Copy the entire contents (starting from —–BEGIN CERTIFICATE REQUEST—– and ending with —–END CERTIFICATE REQUEST—–). Be sure to save this information in a secure location—it’s required for purchasing your SSL certificate.

If you’re purchasing your SSL from a provider, follow their instructions on how to submit your CSR for certificate issuance.

4. Go to “Manage SSL Sites”

After generating your CSR, it’s time to install the SSL certificate. To do so, go back to the SSL/TLS Manager and click on Manage SSL Sites. This page will allow you to manage all SSL-related settings for your domains.

5. Select the Domain You Want to Secure

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In the Manage SSL Sites section, you’ll see a drop-down menu labeled Domain. Select the domain for which you want to install the SSL certificate. If your domain isn’t showing, ensure it’s added to your cPanel account and listed in the dropdown.

6. Copy and Paste Your Certificate Files

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With your domain selected, it’s time to paste your SSL certificate files into the appropriate fields.

  • Certificate (CRT): This is your domain’s server certificate, issued by the certificate authority (CA). If you received the certificate in a ZIP file, extract it, open it in a text editor (like Notepad), and copy the contents (from —–BEGIN CERTIFICATE—– to —–END CERTIFICATE—–).
  • Private Key (KEY): This is the private key that was generated when you created the CSR. If you followed the earlier steps, cPanel should auto-populate this field for you. If not, retrieve the private key from where you saved it during the CSR generation process.
  • Certificate Authority Bundle (CABundle): The CA Bundle is an intermediate certificate that helps browsers verify the authenticity of your SSL certificate. cPanel usually fetches this automatically from a public repository. If it doesn’t, you can download the correct CA Bundle from your SSL provider (e.g., E2E Networks).

7. Install the SSL Certificate

Once you’ve pasted the appropriate certificate files into their respective fields, click the Install Certificate button. This will apply the SSL certificate to your selected domain.

8. Confirm SSL Installation

To ensure everything is working correctly, open your website in a browser and check for HTTPS in the URL. You can also click the padlock icon next to your domain name to view the certificate details.

If you encounter any issues, such as SSL not appearing properly, you may need to restart your Apache server. You can do this directly from cPanel by accessing the Restart Services section.

Additionally, you can use an online tool like the SSL Checker to verify your installation and confirm that everything is configured correctly.


Troubleshooting and Best Practices

Even with a straightforward process, things don’t always go smoothly. Here are some tips to ensure a successful SSL installation:

  • Clear your cache: If your site isn’t showing as secure even after installation, clear your browser’s cache to ensure you’re loading the latest version of your site.
  • Check for mixed content: If you’re still seeing a “Not Secure” warning, it could be due to mixed content (elements like images or scripts being loaded over HTTP instead of HTTPS). Use plugins like Really Simple SSL to help fix this issue.

Step 3: Update WordPress to Use HTTPS

For the best performance while implementing SSL, consider using a lightweight, security-optimized theme like GeneratePress or Astra. These themes are built with security best practices in mind and work seamlessly with SSL certificates.

Once SSL is installed via cPanel, the next step is to configure your WordPress website to use HTTPS instead of HTTP.

  1. Login to WordPress Dashboard
    Log into your WordPress admin area.
  2. Go to General Settings
    Navigate to Settings > General.
  3. Update URLs
    Change both the WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) fields to use https:// instead of http://.
  4. Save Changes
    Click Save Changes to update the settings.
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Step 4: Force HTTPS for All Pages Using a Plugin

To ensure every page of your site is loaded securely via HTTPS, you can use a plugin like Really Simple SSL.

Really Simple Security – Simple and Performant Security

  1. Install Really Simple Security – Simple and Performant Security
    From the WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New, search for Really Simple SSL, and install the plugin.
  2. Activate the Plugin
    Once installed, activate the plugin. It will automatically detect your SSL certificate and configure your site to use HTTPS for all pages.

Step 5: Test SSL Installation

After installing SSL and making the necessary updates, it’s essential to check that everything is working properly.

  1. Check the Padlock Icon
    Visit your website and look for the padlock icon in the browser’s address bar. This confirms that SSL is active on your site.
  2. Run SSL Check
    You can also use tools like SSL Labs’ SSL Test to check the configuration of your SSL certificate and ensure that there are no issues.

Real-World Example: How SSL Helped One of My Clients

I once worked with a client who was running an e-commerce site on WordPress. The website had a significant amount of traffic, but conversions were lower than expected. One of the main issues was that the site lacked an SSL certificate, which made it appear untrustworthy to potential customers.

After installing SSL and making the necessary updates, their website traffic saw a noticeable increase, and more visitors started completing purchases. The SSL certificate also boosted their SEO rankings, driving more organic traffic. This simple change made a huge impact on their bottom line.


The Future of WordPress Security: What’s Coming Next?

As technology evolves, so do security threats. The future of WordPress security will likely be influenced by these trends:

  1. AI-Driven Security Tools
    AI-powered tools will become increasingly important in detecting vulnerabilities and securing WordPress sites in real-time.
  2. Headless WordPress
    Headless WordPress, where the backend is separate from the frontend, is becoming more popular. While it offers flexibility, it also requires more advanced security measures.
  3. Enhanced SSL Protocols
    As cyber threats become more sophisticated, SSL protocols will evolve. It’s essential to stay updated with the latest SSL versions and encryption standards.
  4. AI-Driven Security Tools AI-powered tools will become increasingly important in detecting vulnerabilities and securing WordPress sites in real-time. Solutions like HubSpot CRM are already incorporating AI-driven security features.
  5. Headless WordPress Headless WordPress, where the backend is separate from the frontend, is becoming more popular. While it offers flexibility, it also requires more advanced security measures. Modern solutions like Spectra Templates are making this transition easier.

Final Thoughts

Installing SSL on your WordPress website is a simple yet crucial step in ensuring the security, SEO performance, and user trust of your site. By following the steps above, you can easily install SSL via cPanel and update your WordPress site to use HTTPS. As a WordPress developer with over a decade of experience, I’ve seen how SSL can transform a site’s performance and security.

If you’re just starting your WordPress journey, choosing a reliable hosting provider like Hostinger can make the process even smoother. I’ve helped many clients transition to more secure, faster hosting, and the results speak for themselves.


What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced with securing your WordPress site?

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! And if you need more tailored advice on securing your WordPress website, feel free to reach out—I’m always happy to chat about how to make your site thrive.


Affiliate Disclaimer:
Some links on this page are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!

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