Have you ever seen a warning message on your web browser “your connection is not private” if yes, then it would be easier for you to understand what HTTPS are and why it is required.
HTTPS and SSL certificate is a kind of protection to a website from outside threat. This is the simplest way of understanding the concept. Every site, even it is WordPress site is issued with an SSL certificate. If a server with which site is communicating pretending to be an HTTPS, but its SSL certification does not match, then the user gets an error message on their browser. Now, let’s check why user needs it.
Importance of HTTPS and SSL?
When a website is used in an extensive manner, it is exposed to many other websites. And not every site is credible and genuine in nature. There is always a threat to data exchanges remains with sites. HTTPS along with SSL certification provides security to websites from these types of threats.
HTTPS is an encryption method. It secures the connection between server and browser of users. This secures a website and makes it difficult for hackers to invade in the site.
If the website is used for the sale of things, then it is very important for owner of website to secure it with SSL certification and HTTPS. Reason being, payment gateway is the part of e-commerce websites and if enough safety measures are not taken on site then it leads to heavy financial losses.
In addition to safety, now HTTPS and SSL certification has another role to play. Google has announced it recently that website that will have these features will be given higher ranking from those who lack these safety features.
So, this way HTTPS and SSL is improving Google ranking of the website too. It has become a tool of SEO as well.
How to add SSL certification?
As far as requirement of WordPress for HTTPS and SSL certification is concerned, and then even if a site on WordPress does not have SSL certification, then it is also fine.
The hosting providers of WordPress sites also provide SSL certification. Some service provider gives certification all free of cost. However, if you encounter any service provider that does not offer SSL certification, then you can ask them if they provide any third party SSL certification. Many hosting service providers do that you can buy a certification by spending 50 to 200 dollars.
Once the certification for the site is purchased, hosting service provides install it on your server too.
How to have HTTPS in WordPress site?
To have HTTPS in a website, first SSL certification is required. Thus, we first inform you how to have SSL certification. It is important to remember that SSL certification for WordPress site should be brought legally with all documentation process. Otherwise, it will create problem with HTTPS setting.
The requirement for HTTPS is extra Apache Modules, it has to be enabled, and 443 port has to be open and should be properly configured. The VirtualHost need to be configured in addition first things. Now, if the web server is configured accurately and with perfection, then HTTPS in WordPress does not require any extra settings. WordPress is ready to use URLs of HTTPS by default.
To implement HTTPS in WordPress, install WordPress in domain or sub-domain normally and then go to setting option. Then go to general and then save changes. In the process, make sure the URL of WordPress address as well as site address both has HTTPS. If it is HTTP, then add “S” next to HTTP and then save the changes.
The Process
This is the process with which you can have HTTPS on all over your WordPress site.
- Install plug-in name WordPress HTTPS (SSL). You can find this plug-in by just typing the name on Google search option. Or if you have any other idea of getting it then you can go with that too. The objective is to get WordPress HTTPS (SSL) plug-in in your device.
- The next step after getting plug-in is installing it and then activating it. There are easy instructions provided for same.
- In your WordPress admin this new plug-in will open a new menu labeled HTTPS.
- Click on an option to get inside the setting page of the plug-in.
- The first option present in the plug-in setting page will ask for SSL host. Most of the time, it remains the domain name. Thus enter it. Nevertheless, if the site is being configured on a sub-domain and SSL certificate that you have is of the domain that is main domain then you have to enter root domain detail here.
- There is an option present in setting page “Force SSL Administration” this option lets WordPress to use HTTPS all over the area of admin. Tick on box, this will ensure security of all WordPress from all traffic.
- Another option present on the plug-in setting page is “Force SSL Exclusively”. Activating this option means you will have SSL on pages where you used Force SSL option. Other traffic that is coming to the site will go to HTTP.
The benefit of having SSL on exclusive page is it will not be there on other pages that does not require safety. But, it can be deployed to pages where financial transactions are done.
What about the speed?
Secure connection have hardly any impact on website speed. And as far as speed of WordPress site is concerned, then the effect the negligible.
Moreover, safety is more important for a site. A user can compromise with speed of sight, but can never compromise with the safety of their data.
