Securing your website with SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is crucial in today’s digital world. Not only does it protect the data transmitted between your site and its visitors, but it also boosts your SEO rankings and builds trust with your audience. If you’re a WordPress user, installing SSL can be made effortless with the Really Simple SSL plugin.
This guide will walk you through the steps to install and set up the Really Simple SSL plugin, ensuring your website is secure and fully HTTPS compliant.
How to Install and Set Up the Really Simple SSL Plugin
Section 1: Preparing Your Website for SSL
Before you dive into installing the Really Simple SSL plugin, it’s essential to prepare your website properly. A few preliminary steps will help ensure a smooth transition to HTTPS.
1.1 Backup Your Website
Before making any significant changes to your website, such as installing an SSL certificate or modifying settings, it is vital to back up your website. Backing up your site ensures that you can quickly restore it to its previous state if anything goes wrong during the process.
Steps to Back Up Your Website:
- Using a Plugin: Install a backup plugin like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy. Once installed, navigate to the plugin settings and create a full backup, including your database and all website files.
- Manual Backup: Access your website’s cPanel, go to the ‘File Manager,’ and compress your public_html folder to create a zip file. Download this zip file and export your database through phpMyAdmin.
1.2 Check SSL Certificate Availability
An SSL certificate is necessary to enable HTTPS on your website. Most hosting providers offer a free SSL certificate, but it’s essential to verify this before proceeding.
How to Check SSL Certificate Availability:
- Contact Your Hosting Provider: Reach out to your hosting provider’s support team to confirm if a free SSL certificate is available.
- Install SSL via cPanel: If an SSL certificate is available, you can usually install it through your hosting control panel (cPanel). Look for the ‘SSL/TLS’ section and follow the prompts to install your SSL certificate.
If your hosting provider does not offer a free SSL certificate, consider purchasing one from a reputable provider like Let’s Encrypt, Comodo, or DigiCert.
Section 2: Installing the Really Simple SSL Plugin
Now that you have prepared your website and ensured an SSL certificate is available, it’s time to install the Really Simple SSL plugin.
2.1 Accessing the WordPress Dashboard
To begin, log in to your WordPress admin dashboard. This is typically accessible by adding /wp-admin to your website’s URL (e.g., www.yoursite.com/wp-admin).
2.2 Searching for the Really Simple SSL Plugin
Once you are in your WordPress dashboard, follow these steps:
- Navigate to Plugins > Add New.
- In the search bar at the top right, type in “Really Simple SSL.”
2.3 Installing the Plugin
After the search results appear:
- Find the Really Simple SSL plugin and click on the Install Now button.
- Once the installation is complete, click Activate to enable the plugin on your website.
2.4 Initial Configuration Prompt
After activation, Really Simple SSL will automatically detect your SSL certificate and provide a configuration prompt. This screen allows you to activate SSL and make the necessary adjustments to your website’s settings.
Section 3: Configuring the Really Simple SSL Plugin
Configuring the Really Simple SSL plugin is straightforward and typically takes only a few minutes.
3.1 Running the SSL Configuration
On the initial configuration screen, click the “Go ahead, activate SSL!” button. This action allows the plugin to automatically detect your website’s SSL settings and switch your website to HTTPS.
- Automatic Detection: Really Simple SSL scans your website to identify the SSL certificate and updates your WordPress settings to use HTTPS.
- Forcing HTTPS: The plugin ensures that all incoming traffic is automatically redirected from HTTP to HTTPS, providing a secure browsing experience for your visitors.
3.2 Resolving Mixed Content Issues
Mixed content occurs when both HTTP and HTTPS elements are present on the same page, causing a security warning in browsers. Really Simple SSL helps resolve these issues automatically.
- Automatic Fixes: The plugin scans your site for mixed content and automatically updates these links to HTTPS.
- Manual Intervention: In some cases, you might need to manually update hardcoded HTTP links within your theme files or plugins.
3.3 Setting Up Automatic Redirects
Really Simple SSL also sets up automatic redirects to ensure all traffic is routed through HTTPS.
- 301 Redirects: The plugin uses 301 redirects to permanently move all HTTP traffic to HTTPS, which is beneficial for SEO and ensures your site is fully secure.
Section 4: Advanced Settings and Customization
Once the basic setup is complete, you can explore the advanced settings within the Really Simple SSL plugin for further customization.
4.1 Understanding the Settings Page
The settings page provides an overview of your SSL configuration and additional options for enhancing your website’s security.
4.2 Enabling Security Features
You can enhance your website’s security by enabling additional features:
- 301 .htaccess Redirect: This option forces HTTPS at the server level, providing faster and more secure redirection.
- WordPress 301 Redirect: This option is useful if the .htaccess method is not compatible with your server setup.
4.3 Using the Mixed Content Fixer
The Mixed Content Fixer is a powerful feature that helps resolve any remaining mixed content issues on your website.
- Enable Mixed Content Fixer: Go to the settings and enable this option to automatically detect and fix mixed content warnings across your site.
Section 5: Verifying SSL Installation
After setting up the Really Simple SSL plugin, verifying that SSL is working correctly on your website is essential.
5.1 Checking Your Website’s HTTPS Status
To check if SSL is correctly installed:
- Browser Padlock Icon: Open your website in a browser and check for the padlock icon in the address bar, indicating a secure connection.
- Online SSL Tools: Use online tools like SSL Labs’ SSL Test or Why No Padlock to perform a thorough SSL check and identify potential issues.
5.2 Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes, you might encounter issues after installing SSL. Here are some common problems and their solutions:
- Redirect Loops: This occurs when multiple redirects create an endless loop. To resolve this, disable the conflicting plugin or setting causing the loop.
- Mixed Content Warnings: If the Mixed Content Fixer does not resolve all issues, manually check your website for any remaining HTTP elements and update them to HTTPS.
Section 6: Monitoring and Maintenance
To maintain a secure and fully functional website, regular monitoring and maintenance are crucial.
6.1 Regular Updates and Maintenance
Ensure your website remains secure by regularly updating the Really Simple SSL plugin and WordPress core.
- Monitor SSL Status: Periodically check your SSL certificate’s status to ensure it has not expired and is correctly configured.
- Renew Certificates: If you have a paid SSL certificate, make sure to renew it before it expires to avoid disruptions.
6.2 Integrating with Other Security Plugins
To further enhance your website’s security, consider integrating Really Simple SSL with other security plugins.
- Recommended Security Plugins: Use plugins like Wordfence, Sucuri, or iThemes Security to provide additional layers of protection for your website.
- Configuration Tips: Ensure compatibility by configuring Really Simple SSL to work seamlessly with other security plugins, avoiding conflicts and ensuring maximum protection.
Conclusion
Installing and setting up the Really Simple SSL plugin is a straightforward process that significantly enhances your website’s security. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure that your website is fully HTTPS compliant, protected against threats, and providing a secure browsing experience for your visitors. Remember, website security is an ongoing process, and regular maintenance, updates, and monitoring are key to keeping your site safe and secure.