You need to install SSL certificate in your website to decrease the risk of sensitive information like credit card details, username, password etc. from being stolen or tampered with by hackers.

People will be doubtful to visit your website and fearful to share their personal credentials if your website is not secure.

Recently Google has announced that it will flag all the un-encrypted websites and will display a ‘Not Secure’ in the URL bar. Google loves its users and committed to protect the user’s privacy and security in every possible way.

Also SSL certificate plays an important role in the SEO ranking of your website to be appeared in the top search results.

 

What is SSL Certificate?

SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer. It is a protocol for encrypting internet traffic and verifying server identity. It enables encrypted communication between a web browser and a web server.

SSL certificate is what enable websites to move from ‘http://’ to ‘https://’ which is more secure.

 

How to Install Free SSL Certificate?

Some hosting agencies or third parties will charge you for SSL certificate installation. However, you can install it for free manually with a little effort with the help of C-panel of your website.

To install SSL certificate for free, visit this free website.

 

Create free SSL certificate

Type the URL of your website and click on “Create Free SSL Certificate” button.

 

Wait for a moment to get further instructions.

 

Different methods of verification

There are three ways to install SSL certificate in your website.

Here, we will go with the third option i.e. thru’ “Manual Verification (DNS)”.

 

 

After clicking the button, you can see the below instructions to link with your WordPress DNS file manager.

Ownership verification of website

This step is required for the ownership verification of your website.

 

 

Open your DNS zone ‘TXT’ file in your hosting server account. Click “Add New” twice to put the above two values one after another.

Keep the ‘TTL’ values as 300 for both the cases.

Click the “Create” button.

 

 

After creating these two ‘TXT’ records, click on the “Verify” links indicated in the previous snap.

It will take some time (may be one or two hours max.) to be updated in the ‘TXT’ records in your web hosting.

Don’t forget to check and activate the box “Force HTTPS” option in your hosting server dashboard so that any “www”’ or “http” can be re-directed to “https” automatically.

 

 

You can also download the SSL certificate for your future record.

 

SSL certificate validity

Keep in mind that SSL certificate validity is only 90 days. Hence, it is required to follow the same steps to re-new this certificate within 90 days.

You can put your e-mail address in this website for reminder purpose so that you can receive notification before the expiry.

 

Trouble-shooting

Finally, if you find that you are not able to see the updates i.e. your website is still showing ‘not secure connection’; try to clear all the cookies in your browser.

I faced this problem for my website after SSL certificate installation and it was sorted out by clearing the cookies.

 

Conclusion

Presently, there are lot of hosting service providers that offer the SSL certificate for free when you register for your web hosting.

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Having SSL certificate signifies that your website is secure.

It can create a good impression on your user’s mind. You can get more organic traffic in your website.

Your users feel comfortable to share their personal details and payment credentials if your website is secure.

If you face any problem to install SSL certificate or have any query, feel free to ask in the comment section below.