SSL Certificate Setup on cPanel: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

SSL certificates are essential for website security and SEO. This guide covers everything from free Let's Encrypt to premium certificates.

1. Types of SSL Certificates

Domain Validated (DV): Basic encryption, ideal for blogs and small sites. Extended Validation (EV): Maximum trust, shows company name in address bar.

2. Free SSL with Let's Encrypt

Most cPanel installations include AutoSSL for automatic certificate generation and renewal. Enable in SSL/TLS > Manage AutoSSL.

3. Installing Premium SSL

Purchase from providers like Comodo or DigiCert. In cPanel: SSL/TLS > Manage SSL Sites > Browse and upload certificate files.

4. Force HTTPS Redirect

Add redirect rules in .htaccess to force SSL. Also update WordPress URLs and ensure all resources load over HTTPS.

Troubleshooting

Common issues: mixed content warnings, certificate chain problems, and cache-related SSL errors. Solutions included.