
Making your website HTTPS is a simple process that can be done for free.
Google considers HTTPS a ranking signal, so having a secure website can boost your search engine rankings.
To start, you'll need to obtain an SSL certificate, which can be done through a service like Let's Encrypt.
This free certificate will encrypt the data transmitted between your website and visitors' browsers.
Why HTTPS Matters
HTTPS matters because it secures data transfer between a user's browser and the website they are visiting.
Using the normal HTTP protocol means sensitive information like personal details, payment and credit card information, or login credentials can be hijacked by hackers.
Websites need an SSL certificate issued by a recognized certificate issuing authority to enable HTTPS.
This certificate is verified and highlighted in the user's browser address bar with a padlock sign and HTTPS instead of HTTP.
Having HTTPS is crucial for protecting users' sensitive information and maintaining trust in your website.
How to Get HTTPS
Getting HTTPS setup on your website is a top priority, and it's easier than you think. Amazon AWS Certificate Manager issues and automatically renews SSL certificates for customers on its AWS infrastructure.
You can also use Amazon Web Services resources like Cloudfront to set and forget HTTPS on your site. This way, you can focus on other important aspects of your business.
The most important thing is to get HTTPS setup as soon as possible, so your users can enjoy the security benefits and you can take advantage of cool features in browsers that help create better web experiences.
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How It Works
An SSL certificate is more than just a security profile, it also contains code that encrypts your internet connections. This encryption is what keeps your online interactions secure and private.
During an SSL handshake, the SSL, web server, and browser are recognized, and a secure connection is made. This connection is invisible and instantaneous.
The handshake is a crucial step in establishing a secure connection, and if it fails, the communication is terminated. This keeps your privacy intact.
Your browser verifies the website's SSL certificate when you visit an HTTPS website. If everything checks out, the browser uses the website's public key to encrypt the data.
The encrypted data is then sent back to the intended server, where it's decrypted using the public key and a secret private key. This process ensures that your data remains secure and private.
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How to Get
To get HTTPS, you'll need a trusted certificate. This certificate verifies your site's identity and encrypts data between your site and visitors' browsers.
First, choose a certificate type: Domain Validation (DV), Organization Validation (OV), or Extended Validation (EV). DV is the most common and affordable option.
Next, generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) on your server. This is a text file containing your site's information, which you'll use to apply for a certificate.
A CSR typically includes your site's domain name, organization name, and public key. This information is used by the Certificate Authority (CA) to issue the certificate.
You can generate a CSR using your server's control panel or through a command-line interface like OpenSSL.
Once you have your CSR, submit it to a Certificate Authority (CA) for verification. The CA will verify your site's identity and issue the certificate.
After receiving the certificate, install it on your server. This will enable HTTPS on your site and encrypt data between your site and visitors' browsers.
Make sure to back up your certificate and private key, as you'll need them to renew or reinstall the certificate in the future.
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Amazon AWS Manager
Amazon AWS Manager is a game-changer for HTTPS setup. Amazon issues and automatically renews SSL certificates for customers on its AWS infrastructure.
This means you can set HTTPS on your site and forget about it, especially if you use AWS resources like Cloudfront.
Setting Up HTTPS
Setting up HTTPS can be a breeze, especially with the right tools. You can enable a free SSL Certificate on your website and then use the Really Simple SSL plugin to automatically switch your website to HTTPS.
This plugin will check if your SSL certificate is enabled, turn on HTTP to HTTPS redirect, and change your website settings. It's a game-changer for beginners who want a hassle-free HTTPS setup.
However, if you're an advanced user, you might want to consider the manual method to avoid a slight increase in page load time.
Dreamhost and other hosting services offer one-click SSL certificate installation on any domain you host with them, making it a convenient option.
You can also use the Really Simple SSL plugin to fix mixed content errors, which is essential for a fully secure website.
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Secure Your Website
To secure your website, click on the Crypto menu icon and make sure SSL is turned on for your domain. This will ensure that all traffic is secure. Enabling the option Always Use HTTPS is also a good idea, as it will redirect all traffic to HTTPS.
A 301 redirect is better than a 302 for SEO purposes, and it's recommended to use it to ensure a smooth transition to HTTPS. You can also use Cloudflare's free services to set up a 301 redirect.
If you're relying on Cloudflare's free offering, you're getting encrypted traffic, but you're not getting the trust benefits of having your very own, trusted certificate. However, if you're a blogger or podcaster, this might be sufficient.
To fix insecure scheme references, change the scheme to HTTPS, and you'll be good to go. You can also use Cloudflare's Automatic HTTPS Rewrites feature to help you with this process.
To be double sure that no content on your website can ever be served insecurely, consider implementing a Content Security Policy on your site.
Here's a quick rundown of what you need to do to secure your website:
- Click on the Crypto menu icon and turn on SSL for your domain.
- Enable the option Always Use HTTPS.
- Set up a 301 redirect to ensure a smooth transition to HTTPS.
Alternatives and Tools
If you're not using Cloudflare, you can still get your website on HTTPS for free with two other options.
Let's Encrypt is a non-profit project that offers free SSL certificates, but installing them requires coding knowledge and server systems knowledge, which can be tricky for beginners.
Major companies like Google, Facebook, Shopify, and WordPress.com support Let's Encrypt, but you can also use a WordPress hosting company that offers free SSL certificates.
Here are the top WordPress hosting companies that offer free SSL certificates with their hosting plans:
- Bluehost
- SiteGround
- Hostinger
- HostGator
- WPEngine
- Dreamhost
- InMotion Hosting
- GreenGeeks
- Liquid Web
These hosting companies make it easy to turn on your free SSL certificate from your hosting dashboard, and some, like Bluehost, have a slightly different process, but it's still straightforward.
Difference Between Flexible and Full
Flexible SSL doesn't encrypt traffic all the way to the origin server, meaning a Man In The Middle can see the traffic.
This is because Cloudflare still speaks to your server over plain HTTP, even if users' traffic is encrypted between them and Cloudflare.
Using Flexible SSL is not recommended if you collect sensitive information on your website.

Full and Full (Strict) implementations, on the other hand, do encrypt traffic all the way to the origin server.
The Full implementation requires a valid certificate on your server, but the authenticity of the certificate won't be verified, so you can get by with a self-signed certificate.
However, the Full (Strict) implementation requires a valid SSL certificate signed by a trusted Certificate Authority.
You can get free Origin CA certificates from Cloudflare that can be used with either the Full or Full (Strict) options, but keep in mind they're only trusted by Cloudflare and will stop working if you leave Cloudflare's infrastructure.
Alternatives to Cloudflare
If you're looking for alternatives to Cloudflare, there are a few options you can try. One of them is to use a free SSL service like Let's Encrypt, which can help you secure your website without costing you a dime.
You can also try using another free SSL service, such as ZeroSSL, which offers free SSL certificates that are trusted by most browsers.
Alternatively, you can use a website host that offers free SSL certificates, such as GitHub Pages or Netlify.
Availability Inquiry

If you're looking for an SSL certificate, you're in luck because Let's Encrypt offers a free certificate authority. This non-profit project has the support of major companies like Google and Facebook.
You can get a free SSL certificate from Let's Encrypt, but installing it can be tricky for beginner users. It requires coding knowledge and server systems knowledge, which can be a challenge.
If you're using WordPress, you're in an even better position because many top WordPress hosting companies offer free SSL certificates with their hosting plans. Here are some of the top companies that offer this service:
- Bluehost
- SiteGround
- Hostinger
- HostGator
- WPEngine
- Dreamhost
- InMotion Hosting
- GreenGeeks
- Liquid Web
These companies make it easy to get a free SSL certificate, and you can often find the option to enable it in your hosting dashboard.
Sources
- https://tiiny.host/blog/how-to-make-a-website-secure/
- https://ardalis.com/add-https-to-any-site-for-free/
- https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/free-https-c051ca570324/
- https://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/how-to-get-a-free-ssl-certificate-for-your-wordpress-website/
- https://blog.cloudflare.com/how-to-make-your-site-https-only
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