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In this blog, we will discuss how we can install a free SSL certificate on the WordPress website. In the previous blog, we saw how to install WordPress. Click here to follow the blog.
SSL provides more security to websites and increases your visitor’s trust. If you have installed SSL, then your site will have https instead of HTTP. Below is an image that shows how visitors will see your website with and without SSL.
What Is SSL Certificate
SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer. SSL certificate is a digital file that creates a secure connection between client and server. In general terms, all data transfer that happens between a website and the user system will occur through an encrypted channel.
It means nobody can see what data a user is accessing from your website. If you use an SSL certificate, your website is safe from hacking. A hacker cannot get any data or any user information from any website.
Why Use SSL Certificate
Now you may be thinking why to use an SSL certificate. Is it necessary? These days you must install an SSL certificate on your website.
If your website is storing any user information, then you must use an SSL certificate. Below are some significant reasons to use SSL on your website or blog.
- It increases the visitor’s trust.
- It provides security.
- Hackers can not hack your website.
- It stops Data Theft.
- Better for search engine ranking
How To Get Free SSL Certificate
There are some ways to get a free SSL certificate. You should not use free SSL if security is essential for your website. Instead, you should buy a strong SSL certificate from a genuine and trustworthy SSL certificate provider such as Geotrust.
Free SSL certificate is enough for blogs and small sites that are not related to banking and finance.
Free SSL Certificate from Hosting Provider
You can get free SSL from your hosting provider. Most of the hosting provider provides free SSL from Lets Encrypt. You can install it from cPanel. In the next section, we will see how to install a free SSL certificate from ChemiCloud cPanel.
Free SSL Certificate from Cloudflare
Cloudflare is a content delivery network for websites. Cloudflare also provides a free SSL certificate for any domain name. If your hosting provider does not offer free SSL, then Cloudflare is a good alternative.
You have to add your domain name to Cloudflare. You can follow this blog to set up free SSL from Cloudflare for your domain.
How To Install Free SSL Certificate
Now we will see how to install a free SSL certificate from Chemicloud cPanel. Chemicloud is an excellent web hosting provider. You can read Chemicloud’s full review here.
Step 1. Login To ChemiCloud cPanel
The first step is to log in to Chemicloud cPanel. First, click on the client area of Chemicloud and type username and password. In the Dashboard under active services, you will find Manage Product.
Click on manage product. Now under the action section, you will see Login To cPanel. Click on it, and a new tab will open, which is the cPanel of ChemiCloud.
Step 2. Find Free SSL from Lets Encrypt
Now you need to search Lets Encrypt. It is usually present under the Security section of cPanel. Click on Lets Encrypt to proceed further.
Once you click on Lets Encrypt, a new page will open.
Step 3. Issue Free SSL Certificate
Now you can issue your free SSL certificate. You will see all domain names under Issue a new Certificate section. On the right-hand side under actions, you will find an option Issue. Just click on the Issue button.
Once you click on the Issue button, a new page will open. On this page, you can see all domains and subdomains. SSL certificates installation occurs on these domains or subdomains. Scroll down, and you can see an Issue button. Click on Issue Button.
Step 4. Check SSL Certificate
Once you click on the Issue button, an SSL certificate installation starts on your domain. You will see below confirmation message.
You need to wait for a few minutes before you check if SSL is working for your website or not? The first way is to visit your site with https. Your https URL will be https://yourwebsitename. If you see a green padlock symbol, it means your website has an SSL certificate.
Another way of checking SSL is to visit the website SSLShoper. Just enter your website name and click on the check button. They will check the SSL configuration, and inform you if there is an error.
Conclusion
The SSL certificate is necessary for every website and blog these days. You can use a free SSL certificate from your hosting provider. If security essential, purchase an SSL certificate. Now In the comment section mention, which SSL certificate you are using.
In the next blog, we will see how to install a WordPress theme in a WordPress site.