Enable Free SSL and Force HTTPS

What Is SSL?

SSL is commonly used to describe the technology that protects website traffic using TLS encryption.

When SSL/TLS is active, visitors can access your website through HTTPS.

For example:

https://example.com

instead of:

http://example.com

HTTPS helps protect information exchanged between the visitor and the website.

Why Does HTTPS Matter?

HTTPS is important for modern websites.

It helps protect:

• Login information
• Contact forms
• Account details
• Payment-related information
• Other data transferred between browser and server

Browsers also show security indicators when a website is protected correctly.

Check Whether SSL Is Already Installed

Before installing a new certificate, open your website using HTTPS.

Check whether the certificate is valid and matches your domain.

If your hosting plan includes a free SSL certificate, the certificate may be installed automatically or available through your hosting control panel.

Enable SSL From Your Hosting Panel

The exact process depends on the hosting environment.

On many cPanel-based systems, SSL management is available through the security section.

On DirectAdmin, SSL settings are also available through the control panel.

If automated SSL is provided by your hosting environment, allow the system to issue and renew the certificate.

Do Not Manually Replace a Working Certificate

If automatic certificate renewal is already configured, unnecessary manual changes can create problems.

Before making changes, understand whether the hosting system manages the certificate automatically.

Force HTTPS

After HTTPS works correctly, visitors should normally be redirected from HTTP to HTTPS.

For example:

http://example.com

should redirect to:

https://example.com

This creates one preferred secure version of the website.

WordPress HTTPS Settings

If your WordPress website was originally installed using HTTP, check the WordPress Address and Site Address settings.

They should use HTTPS after the SSL setup is complete.

Do not change these values before confirming that HTTPS actually works.

What Is Mixed Content?

Mixed content happens when an HTTPS page loads some resources using HTTP.

For example:

https://example.com

loads:

http://example.com/image.jpg

Browsers may block or warn about these resources.

How to Fix Mixed Content

Search for old HTTP URLs in:

• WordPress content
• Theme settings
• Plugin settings
• Database entries
• Custom CSS
• JavaScript
• Image URLs

Update them to HTTPS where appropriate.

Also check external resources.

Check Redirects Carefully

After enabling HTTPS, test the redirect.

Open the HTTP version and confirm that it reaches the HTTPS version.

Do not create multiple redirect rules that conflict with each other.

Incorrect redirect configurations can cause redirect loops.

SSL and Website Security Are Not the Same

An SSL certificate encrypts the connection between the browser and server.

It does not protect your website from:

• Weak passwords
• Vulnerable plugins
• Malware
• Insecure themes
• Poor server configuration

HTTPS should therefore be considered one part of website security, not the complete security solution.

Keep SSL Active

Certificates need to renew before they expire.

If your hosting environment provides automatic renewal, make sure the renewal system is working.

An expired certificate can cause browsers to display security warnings.

Final Thoughts

Every modern website should use HTTPS.

Free SSL can make secure website connections accessible even to small businesses and personal websites.

THE HOSTGURU provides SSL options for website owners who need secure HTTPS connections.

Install the certificate correctly, test the HTTPS version, fix mixed content and configure a clean HTTP-to-HTTPS redirect.

Frequently Asked Questions