WordPress SSL: The Ultimate Guide to Creating a Secure Website

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Once you have installed WordPress on your new site, the next step is to add a WordPress SSL certificate . If you skip this step, browsers will mark your site as “not secure” and visitors will not be able to access it.

But what is an SSL certificate for WordPress and how do you get one? Stay tuned as we tell you how to install an SSL certificate in WordPress and configure it correctly to avoid potential problems.

Table of contents

What is an SSL Certificate for WordPress?
Why do you need a WordPress SSL certificate?
How to get SSL certificate for WordPress?
How to install SSL certificate in WordPress?
Common WordPress SSL Issues
What is an SSL Certificate for WordPress?
An SSL certificate for WordPress serves as a digital security ID for your website. It encrypts data transmitted between your visitors' web browsers and your WordPress site's server, ensuring the privacy of sensitive information such as passwords and payment details.

It also tells visitors that your site is secure by displaying a padlock or information icon in the browser address bar. Furthermore, SSL certificates are now a required standard for all sites, including those built on WordPress, to meet security requirements and maintain accessibility.

SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer . Simply put, it is a technology that ensures secure communication between a user's web browser and the site they are visiting. This security is very important, especially when users are constantly exchanging sensitive information over the Internet.

SSL encryption scrambles information, making it unreadable mobile app development service to anyone trying to intercept it. As a result, sensitive data remains private and secure. But why is this important for WordPress users?

Why do you need a WordPress SSL certificate?
In addition to protecting your data, SSL certificates also promote trust and reliability. Search engines like Google now require all websites to have SSL certificates. While having an SSL certificate will not directly improve your WordPress site’s search engine rankings , you should do so to ensure your site remains visible and accessible to users.




SSL certificates support compliance with industry regulations and standards. Whether it’s the stringent data protection requirements of GDPR or the security requirements of PCI DSS for e-commerce transactions , HTTPS encryption is a mandatory component of regulatory compliance.

Moreover, SSL certificates protect against man-in-the-middle attacks . As cyberattacks become more sophisticated, encrypting data transmissions with SSL helps reduce the risk of interception or tampering, ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of important information.

So, whether your WordPress site is a blog or a large e-commerce platform, you should add SSL to WordPress. Here's how to do it quickly.

How to get SSL certificate for WordPress?
Getting an SSL certificate for your WordPress site involves a few technical steps, but don’t worry, we’ll walk you through the entire process. It all starts with identifying your specific needs.

There are several types of SSL certificates , each providing a different level of security. Depending on your site's niche, you can choose from Domain Validation (DV) , Organization Validation (OV), or Extended Validation (EV) certificates .

Next, you can buy a certificate from a commercial certification center or get it for free. Below we compare these two options:

Buy an SSL certificate from a certificate authority
When purchasing an SSL certificate for your WordPress site, there are a few key factors to consider. The first and most important thing is to choose a reputable CA. Look for one with a solid reputation for providing secure certificates at reasonable prices. At SSL Dragon, we partner with the best CAs in the industry to offer you cheap WordPress certificates for any need.