How to Secure Your WordPress Site with HTTPS (SSL Certificate)
Note: This resource doc helps our users understand the importance of securing their website with an SSL certificate and the steps they can take to configure this correctly on their WordPress website.
Ensuring your WordPress site runs on HTTPS is essential for protecting user data, improving SEO, and building trust. Many modern hosting providers offer free SSL certificates, making the process easier than ever. Here’s how to secure your site with HTTPS.
Why HTTPS Matters
HTTPS encrypts data, secures transactions, and prevents browsers from flagging your site as “Not Secure.” For online donations, HTTPS is crucial—platforms like GiveWP require it to protect donor information and ensure secure payment processing.
1. Check Your Hosting Provider for SSL Support
Most hosting providers include free SSL certificates, often powered by Let’s Encrypt. Check your hosting control panel or contact support to confirm SSL is enabled. If not, follow your host’s instructions—typically, activation requires just a few clicks.
2. Enable HTTPS for Your WordPress Site
Once SSL is active, update WordPress to use HTTPS:
- Go to Settings > General in your WordPress dashboard.
- Update the WordPress Address and Site Address fields to use https:// instead of http://.
3. Force HTTPS Across Your Entire Site
To ensure all traffic uses HTTPS, you need to enforce it sitewide:
Option 1: Use a Plugin
Install Really Simple SSL to automatically detect your SSL certificate and configure WordPress for HTTPS, handling redirects and mixed content issues.
Option 2: Update .htaccess (For Advanced Users)
Add the following code to your .htaccess file to redirect all traffic to HTTPS:
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{SERVER_PORT} !^443$
RewriteRule (.*) https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [R,L]
4. Fix Mixed Content Issues
Mixed content errors occur when some resources still load over HTTP. To resolve them:
- Use Better Search Replace Plugin to replace http://yourdomain.com with https://yourdomain.com in your database.
- Open your browser’s developer console to identify and manually update insecure URLs.
5. Update External Services
Ensure external services recognize your HTTPS setup:
- Google Search Console: Add your HTTPS site version and resubmit your sitemap.
- Google Analytics: Update tracking settings to reflect HTTPS.
- CDNs: Configure your Content Delivery Network to serve assets over HTTPS.
6. Verify Your HTTPS Setup
Use tools like Why No Padlock? or SSL Labs to check for security gaps and confirm that all site elements load securely.
By following these steps, you ensure your WordPress site is fully protected, delivering a safer experience for users and donors alike.
