How to Install a Free SSL Certificate on WordPress
A complete step-by-step guide to securing your WordPress website with HTTPS
This guide covers installing a free Let's Encrypt SSL certificate on your WordPress site, whether you use shared hosting with cPanel, a VPS, or managed WordPress hosting.
Prerequisites
- A WordPress website with admin access
- Access to your hosting control panel (cPanel, Plesk, or similar)
- A domain name pointing to your hosting server
- SSL certificate files from freesslcert.net
Step 1: Generate Your SSL Certificate
Visit freesslcert.net to generate a free certificate for your domain.
Step 2: Install the Certificate via cPanel
Log in to cPanel, navigate to SSL/TLS, and paste your certificate, private key, and CA bundle.
Step 3: Update WordPress URLs
In WordPress Settings > General, change both WordPress Address and Site Address to use https://.
Step 4: Fix Mixed Content
Update internal links, images, and resource URLs to use HTTPS. Use a plugin like Really Simple SSL or Better Search Replace.
Step 5: Set Up HTTPS Redirect
Add a redirect in .htaccess to automatically redirect HTTP to HTTPS.