No matter what kind of website you may have, your business must be dealing with sensitive customer information day in and day out (think: your customer’s credit card information on the checkout page or their personal details that get captured in the contact form).
Installing an SSL Certificate keeps your website data secure at all times, fortifying your online reputation. It also helps you get on top of search results, as Google prioritises ranking secure sites on the results page.
Want to learn how to install an SSL certificate on your website? This guide is for you. Let’s go!
How to Install SSL Certificate: An Easy Step-by-Step Process
Follow these simple steps to protect your site data and gain your visitors’ trust in the process:
Step 1: Choose Your SSL Certificate
Selecting the right SSL certificate means you will want to consider your website’s needs first. Some options you have at your disposal include:
- A single domain certificate for one website
- A wildcard certificate for subdomains
- A multi-domain certificate for multiple domains
Pro tip: Prioritise a certificate that aligns with your website’s security needs. Plus, make sure that it is issued by a reputable Certificate Authority (CA), like Crazy Domains.
Step 2: Generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR)
To get your SSL certificate, you will need to generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) from your web server. It typically contains important information about your website (e.g., domain name, company name, and location).
Pro tip: Keep your private key secure, as you may need it during installation. Don’t forget to double-check the details in your CSR. You don’t want to deal with inaccurate information.
Step 3: Submit the CSR to the CA
Once you’ve generated your CSR, submit it to your chosen CA. The CA will validate the information in your CSR. This process that may take time, depending on the CA’s internal policies.
Pro tip: Be prepared to provide additional documentation if required for validation. Ensure that you’re following the CA’s instructions closely to expedite the process.
Step 4: Time to Install the SSL Certificate
After the CA validates your information, they will issue the SSL certificate and send it to you. Now, it is time to install the certificate on your web server. Usually, you’ll receive the certificate in a .crt or .pem format.
Pro tip: Save a backup of your private key and SSL certificate files. They are essential for server configuration and reinstallation if needed.
Step 5: Update Your Website Settings
With the SSL certificate installed, you will need to update your website settings to enable HTTPS. So, ensure that your web pages load securely by making sure “https://” appears in the URL.
Pro tip: Make sure all internal links, resources, and scripts reference the HTTPS version of your website to avoid “mixed content” warnings.
Step 6: It’s Testing Time!
Do a website to verify whether your SSL certificate is working accordingly. If the website loads with the padlock symbol in the browser’s address bar, congratulations, your connection is secure.
Pro tip: Leverage online tools to perform in-depth security assessments on your website. You must also regularly check for certificate expiration dates to stay on top of your security requirements.
Step 7: Automate Your SSL Certificate Renewal
SSL certificates have expiration dates, so it is essential to establish an automatic renewal process. This ensures your website remains secure without any interruptions.
Get Your SSL Certificate with Crazy Domains
The SSL certificate is the gold standard for safe and reliable websites. With a “Secure” mark on your website, customers are assured that their confidential information is safe from data breaches. This helps boost your brand reputation and sales online.
This is why we deliver the highest levels of industry-standard security to help you conduct protected online transactions. We provide the strongest level of encryption, along with 24/7 uninterrupted customer support for all your needs.
