If you run a WordPress website, implementing SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a crucial step to protect your website and your visitors’ data from cyber threats. SSL encrypts data transmitted between a website and a visitor’s browser, making it impossible for hackers to intercept and steal sensitive information such as passwords, credit card details, and personal data. In this article, we’ll show you how to implement SSL on WordPress in a few easy steps.
Step 1: Choose an SSL Certificate
The first step to implementing SSL on your WordPress website is to choose an SSL certificate. You can obtain an SSL certificate from a trusted SSL provider such as Let’s Encrypt, Comodo, or DigiCert. The type of SSL certificate you need depends on your website’s size and complexity. For most small to medium-sized websites, a Domain Validated (DV) SSL certificate is sufficient. If you have an e-commerce website or collect sensitive data, you may need an Extended Validation (EV) SSL certificate.
Step 2: Install the SSL Certificate
Once you’ve obtained an SSL certificate, you need to install it on your web server. If you’re using a web hosting provider, they may offer SSL installation as part of their hosting services. You can also install SSL manually by following the instructions provided by your SSL provider. Once the SSL certificate is installed, your website’s URL should start with “https” instead of “http”.
Step 3: Update Your WordPress Settings
The next step is to update your WordPress settings to use SSL. Go to the WordPress dashboard and click on “Settings” -> “General”. Change the “WordPress Address (URL)” and “Site Address (URL)” to “https://yourdomain.com“. Save the changes and log out of your WordPress dashboard.
Step 4: Update Internal Links
After updating your WordPress settings, you need to update any internal links that use “http”. If you have a small website, you can do this manually by editing each post or page and replacing “http” with “https” in the URLs. If you have a large website, you can use a plugin such as Velvet Blues Update URLs or Better Search Replace to update all internal links automatically.
Step 5: Test Your SSL Implementation
The final step is to test your SSL implementation to make sure it’s working correctly. Use an SSL checker tool such as Qualys SSL Labs or SSL Checker to verify that your SSL certificate is valid and your website is secure. You can also test your website’s pages to ensure that all internal links and resources are loaded securely.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully implemented SSL on your WordPress website. By encrypting data transmitted between your website and your visitors’ browsers, you’re providing a secure browsing experience and protecting your website from cyber threats.