If you installed WordPress before setting up SSL, or if your website is loading with http:// and showing 'Not Secure,' this article is for you. We will guide you through installing a free SSL certificate via cPanel and configuring WordPress to use https://, ensuring all traffic is properly routed.
Index:
Issue an SSL Certificate
In this section we will run through how to issue an SSL certificate.
Enter cPanel - If you don't know how, you can follow this guide.
In cPanel, look for the 'SSL/TLS Status' option under the 'Security' tab.
Check to see if the entries are showing a green lock. If the lock is green, you can skip to 'Configure WordPress.' If the locks are red, click 'Run AutoSSL.' The process may take a few minutes, but once completed, the page will display green locks like below.
If the SSL locks fail to issue, even after 'Run AutoSSL,' there is likely an issue with your DNS or nameservers. Please check that the domain is pointed to BigScoots. You can check by going to https://www.bigscoots.com/tools/nscheck and making sure the results are the same as below.
If the issue persists, please check out our Knowledgebase for more information on DNS or nameservers.
Configuring WordPress
In this section we will configure your WordPress account to use https://.
Log into WordPress - If you don't know how, you can follow this guide.
Click 'Settings' on the left-hand side, then select 'General.'
Under General Settings, you will see 'WordPress Address (URL)' and 'Site Address (URL).' Change the site in these two fields to have https:// rather than http://. Once done, click 'Save Changes.'
Once the changes are saved, you may be logged out of WordPress and have to solve a Google Captcha prior to reentry.
Routing Traffic from http:// to https://
Not all traffic will be automatically redirected to the https:// version of your website, particularly for users with older browsers. However, cPanel can enforce HTTPS redirects for all visitors, and you can set this up by following the steps below.
Enter cPanel - If you don't know how, you can follow this guide.
In cPanel, look for the 'Domains' option under the 'Domains' tab.
In 'Domains,' you will see a switch for 'Force HTTPS Redirect.' Click the toggle to turn it on and set up the domain to redirect to https://. Once complete, you will see a green success message as below.
Congratulations! You've successfully setup your https:// redirect.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our team via live chat.
For technical inquiries, please feel free to reach our support team by emailing support@bigscoots.com from your registered email or by submitting a support ticket.