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SSL Certificate for WordPress: Common Questions Answered
- Missy Ly
- 3 days ago
- 10 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
If your WordPress site isn’t using an SSL certificate, you’re leaving it vulnerable to security risks and losing visitor trust. SSL encrypts data like passwords and payment details, protecting it from hackers. Plus, Google gives HTTPS sites a ranking boost, and browsers warn users about non-secure sites. This means SSL isn’t optional - it’s required for security, credibility, and better search performance.
Key Takeaways:
What is SSL? It encrypts data between your site and visitors, keeping it safe.
Why it matters: Prevents data theft, builds trust, and improves SEO rankings.
HTTP vs. HTTPS: HTTPS ensures security; HTTP leaves data exposed.
How to check SSL: Look for the padlock icon in the browser or use online tools.
Getting SSL: Choose between free options (e.g., Let’s Encrypt) or paid certificates for added features.
Installing SSL on WordPress: Use plugins like Really Simple SSL or manually install via your hosting control panel.
Quick Comparison of SSL Options:
Type | Cost | Validation Level | Best For |
Free (e.g., Let’s Encrypt) | $0 | Domain Validation (DV) | Basic websites, blogs |
Paid (DV, OV, EV) | Varies ($10–$300+) | Higher validation (OV, EV shows business details) | E-commerce, sensitive data sites |
Hosting Provider SSL | Often included | Varies (usually DV) | Simplifies setup and renewals |
SSL certificates are essential for protecting your site and visitors. Whether you go with a free or paid option, make sure your WordPress site is secured with HTTPS.
How To Add HTTPS SSL Certificate To WordPress Website
How to Check If Your WordPress Site Has an SSL Certificate
Before you dive into setting up or installing an SSL certificate, it’s a good idea to confirm if your WordPress site already has one. Thankfully, this process is simple and can be done in a few different ways. From a quick browser check to using online tools or your WordPress dashboard, there are multiple options to verify your SSL status.
Checking SSL Status in Your Browser
The easiest way to check if your site has SSL is by looking at your browser’s address bar. Open a modern browser like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge and visit your WordPress site. If your SSL certificate is active, you’ll notice a closed padlock icon to the left of the URL, and the web address will start with https:// instead of http://. However, if you see a warning, an open padlock, or a "Not Secure" message, it means your site either doesn’t have an SSL certificate or it’s not configured correctly.
Using Online Tools to Verify SSL
For a more detailed check, you can use online SSL checker tools. These tools scan your site and provide information like the certificate’s validity, issuing authority, expiration date, and configuration details. All you need to do is enter your website’s URL and run the scan. Pay attention to any warnings or errors in the results, as they can help identify potential problems with your SSL setup.
Verifying SSL in the WordPress Dashboard
You can also check your SSL status directly from your WordPress dashboard. Go to Settings > General and look at the WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) fields. If both URLs start with https://, your site is using SSL. If they still show http://, you’ll need to update them once your SSL certificate is installed.
Additionally, many hosting providers offer SSL management tools in their control panels, often under sections like "SSL/TLS", "Security", or "Let's Encrypt." These tools typically show whether an SSL certificate is installed and when it’s set to expire. Some WordPress plugins designed for security or SSL management also provide built-in widgets or pages in the dashboard to display the SSL status and flag any issues.
How to Obtain an SSL Certificate for WordPress
Once you've decided to secure your site with SSL, the next step is choosing the right type of certificate based on your budget and validation needs. Your options include free SSL certificates, paid ones, or those integrated with your hosting provider. Here's a closer look at each.
Free SSL Certificates
For many WordPress sites, free SSL certificates are a practical and effective choice. One of the most popular options is Let’s Encrypt, a nonprofit certificate authority that provides encryption meeting industry standards. These certificates are great for protecting user data and can even give your site a boost in search rankings. Hosting providers or plugins often handle the renewal process automatically, so you won’t need to manage it manually.
That said, free SSL certificates only offer Domain Validation (DV). This means they confirm you own the domain but don’t verify your business identity. While DV is enough for most websites, if your site processes payments or sensitive customer information, you might need the enhanced validation levels that come with paid certificates.
Paid SSL Certificates
Paid SSL certificates are designed for websites that require additional features and higher levels of trust. These certificates can provide benefits like organizational verification, trust indicators (such as displaying your company name in the browser's address bar), and even warranty protection. They often come with added customer support, making them a solid choice for e-commerce sites and platforms that collect personal data.
There are three types of paid SSL certificates:
Domain Validation (DV): Confirms domain ownership.
Organization Validation (OV): Verifies the legitimacy of your organization.
Extended Validation (EV): Offers the highest level of verification, often showing your company name in the browser bar.
If your site handles online transactions or needs to reassure visitors with visible trust signals, a paid SSL certificate could be the way to go. However, if these features aren't critical, free or hosting-included options may be sufficient.
SSL Certificates from Hosting Providers
Many hosting providers now include SSL certificates as part of their plans, simplifying the entire process. For instance, WPWorld offers free SSL certificates with all their hosting packages. These certificates are automatically installed when you set up your WordPress site, and WPWorld takes care of renewals and technical maintenance for you.
This integrated approach eliminates much of the hassle. By managing your domain, hosting, and SSL certificate in one place, you avoid the need for separate purchases, manual installations, or tracking renewal dates. Some hosting providers also allow you to upgrade to premium SSL certificates if you ever need higher levels of validation.
When selecting a hosting provider, check if SSL certificates are included at no extra charge and whether automatic renewals are part of the package. These features can save you time and help ensure your site stays secure without interruptions.
Once you've secured an SSL certificate, your next step will be installing it on your WordPress site.
How to Install an SSL Certificate on WordPress
Once you've secured your SSL certificate, the next step is to install it on your WordPress site. You can either use a plugin or go through your hosting control panel. The choice depends on your technical skills and hosting setup.
Installing SSL Using a Plugin
Using a plugin simplifies the process by automating most of the technical work. A popular option is the Really Simple SSL plugin. As Anurag Changmai from MalCare explains, "The easiest and quickest way to add an SSL certificate to WordPress is to use the Really Simple SSL plugin". This plugin detects your SSL certificate, checks its status, and configures HTTPS for your site.
To get started, head to your WordPress dashboard and install the Really Simple SSL plugin. After activation, navigate to Settings > SSL. The plugin will perform a quick scan and display an Activate SSL button. Click it to update your site URLs and set up HTTP-to-HTTPS redirects.
Before installing any plugin, check with your hosting provider to ensure SSL is already enabled on your site and a certificate is installed. The plugin can only work with an existing certificate.
Manual Installation via Hosting Control Panel
If you'd rather have more control or need to upload your own certificate files, manual installation through your hosting control panel is a solid option. This method is often used for premium SSL certificates or specific configurations.
Most hosting providers offer a control panel like cPanel. Log in to your account and locate the SSL/TLS section under Security. You'll find options like "Manage SSL sites" or "Generate, view, upload or delete SSL certificates."
Make sure you have your certificate files ready - this includes the .crt file, private key, and CA bundle. If you didn't generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) when obtaining your certificate, you might need to create one in the SSL/TLS manager. The CSR contains the details needed by the Certificate Authority to issue your certificate.
In the control panel, look for the "Upload Certificate" section. Paste your certificate, private key, and CA bundle into the appropriate fields, or use the file upload option if it's available. Once the certificate is uploaded, select your domain and click Install or Install Certificate.
After installation, make sure to fine-tune your setup for optimal performance and security.
Post-Installation Steps
Once your SSL certificate is installed, there are a few follow-up tasks to complete:
Redirect HTTP to HTTPS: Use your hosting panel's options or add rules to your file to ensure all traffic is redirected to HTTPS.
Update WordPress URLs: Change the WordPress and Site Address URLs in your settings from to .
Fix Mixed Content Issues: If some resources still load over HTTP, use a search-and-replace tool to update them after creating a backup of your database.
Test Your Site: Check for the padlock icon in your browser. Navigate your site to confirm everything works as expected, including images, forms, and third-party integrations.
Monitor Certificate Expiration: Keep an eye on your certificate's expiration date. Free certificates from Let's Encrypt expire every 90 days and need renewal. For paid certificates, set reminders to renew before they expire.
Troubleshooting Common SSL Issues on WordPress
After setting up an SSL certificate, you might encounter mixed content warnings that stop the padlock icon from showing up.
Mixed Content Warnings
Mixed content warnings happen when some resources on your site still load over HTTP, even though the main connection uses HTTPS. This creates a security gap, which prompts browsers to display warnings instead of the secure padlock icon. These insecure elements can include images, scripts, stylesheets, or embedded content that reference HTTP URLs.
To pinpoint the problem, use your browser's Developer Tools (press F12) and check the Console tab. It will show you which resources are being flagged as insecure.
Once you’ve identified the problematic HTTP URLs, update them to HTTPS. A quick way to do this is by using a search-and-replace plugin to update all instances of "http://yourdomain.com" to "https://yourdomain.com" in your database. Remember to back up your site before making these changes - better safe than sorry.
Another option is to manually review your theme files, like and , as well as posts and pages, for any hardcoded HTTP links. If third-party widgets or scripts are still using HTTP, reach out to the provider for updated embed codes that support HTTPS.
Still having trouble? You can force HTTPS on admin pages by adding this line to your file, just before the line that says, "That's all, stop editing!":
Conclusion
Protecting your WordPress site with an SSL certificate is absolutely essential for running a trustworthy website in 2025. Beyond just adding a padlock icon, SSL safeguards sensitive data, boosts visitor trust, and even helps improve your search engine rankings.
Here’s why SSL matters: it encrypts the data exchanged between your visitors and your server, shielding it from potential threats like man-in-the-middle attacks. This means passwords, credit card details, and other personal information stay secure. Plus, Google has been using HTTPS as a ranking factor since 2014, with studies showing that sites with SSL certificates can see up to a 7% improvement in rankings. On the flip side, HTTP sites are flagged as "Not Secure" by browsers, which can scare off visitors. Considering the alarming number of daily hacks, SSL is no longer optional - it's a must.
An SSL certificate also builds credibility. Today’s users are more aware of online security, and that little green padlock can make a big difference in how professional and legitimate your site appears. For e-commerce businesses, SSL is non-negotiable - not just for customer trust but also to meet data protection regulations like GDPR and PCI DSS.
Whether you choose a free SSL certificate from Let's Encrypt or opt for a paid version with extended validation, both will provide the encryption your site needs. And if you're using WPWorld's hosting plans, managing SSL is even easier. Their plans, ranging from the $15.95/month Startup plan to the $149.95/month Emperor plan, include free certificates with automatic installation and hassle-free renewals, making SSL implementation seamless.
FAQs
What’s the difference between free and paid SSL certificates, and how do I choose the right one for my WordPress site?
Free SSL certificates provide basic encryption and are a great option for personal blogs or small websites that don’t deal with sensitive information. They’re an affordable way to secure your site, especially if you’re just starting out or running something simple. That said, they usually come without advanced features or customer support.
Paid SSL certificates, however, come with extra perks like stronger validation, warranty protection, and access to dedicated support. These are particularly useful for e-commerce sites or businesses managing sensitive data, as they help establish trust with visitors and offer a higher level of security.
When choosing between the two, think about your website’s needs and audience. If it’s a personal blog or a small site, a free SSL certificate will likely do the job. But for businesses or sites handling payments and personal data, a paid SSL certificate is a better investment for stronger security and building credibility.
How do I fix mixed content warnings on my WordPress site after installing an SSL certificate?
Mixed content warnings pop up when some resources on your site - like images, scripts, or stylesheets - are still being loaded over HTTP instead of HTTPS. Here’s how you can fix this issue:
Verify your SSL certificate is active. Make sure your certificate is correctly installed. A padlock icon in your browser's address bar is a good sign everything's working as it should.
Update your WordPress site URLs. Head to your WordPress Admin Dashboard. Under Settings > General, update both the 'WordPress Address' and 'Site Address' fields to use HTTPS instead of HTTP.
Fix insecure URLs in your content. Use a search-and-replace plugin to locate and update any HTTP links in your database to HTTPS.
Examine your theme and plugins. Check for any hardcoded HTTP links within your theme or plugin files and update them to HTTPS.
Enforce HTTPS connections. Add a redirect rule in your file to ensure all traffic is automatically routed through HTTPS.
Taking these steps will help you eliminate mixed content warnings and ensure your website is fully secured.
How do I manually install an SSL certificate through my hosting control panel, and when is this the best option?
To install an SSL certificate manually, start by logging into your hosting control panel. Look for options labeled SSL, Security, or HTTPS. From there, you’ll need to upload your SSL certificate files. These usually include three key components: the certificate itself, a private key, and sometimes an intermediate certificate. After uploading, simply follow your hosting provider’s specific instructions to activate the certificate.
This method works well if you’re comfortable handling technical tasks or if your hosting provider doesn’t offer automated SSL installation. It also allows you greater control, making it a good choice for scenarios like using a custom SSL certificate from a third-party provider.
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