How to Get a Free SSL Certificate: A Step-by-Step Guide

Kashmira

In today’s digital landscape, website security is more important than ever. One key component of website security is an SSL certificate (Secure Sockets Layer), which encrypts the connection between a website and its visitors, ensuring data is transmitted securely. SSL certificates are essential for any website, as they boost visitor trust and are a ranking factor for search engines like Google.

Many website owners believe that SSL certificates are expensive, while in fact, you can receive the certificate for free. Here, you will learn how to get free SSL certificate and host on your website in a simple way.

What Is an SSL Certificate?

An SSL certificate can be defined as a digital document that verify the identity of a particular web site for the purpose of allowing an encrypted communication. When implemented on a site, it replaces the URL HTTP with HTTPS and has a padlock icon graphic in the address bar of the browser.

Benefits of SSL Certificates:

  1. Data Security: Keeps the user’s data, passwords, credit card number, and other essential and nonessential details secure.
  2. SEO Advantage: Website with the HTTPS protocol are preferred by the search engine hence leading to better ranking.
  3. Trust and Credibility: People are more comfortable and probably willing to deal with sites that are secure.
  4. Compliance: Required for compliance to the current data protection laws such as the GDPR.

How to Get Free SSL for Your Website

Various free SSL certificates can be used and while obtaining them, it is not a big hassle to install them. Here are some of the most popular methods:

1. Let’s Encrypt

Let’s Encrypt is the free, automated, and open Certificate Authority created by Mozilla, working also with other platform’s companies. It offers free SSL certificates to millions of website.

Steps to Get an SSL Certificate from Let’s Encrypt:

  1. Check Your Web Host: Some web hosts, including SiteGround, Bluehost, and Digital Ocean, have direct integration with Let’s Encrypt so it becomes easy to use.
  2. Use Certbot: If your host doesn’t provide the option to automatically install SSL certificates, you can use a free tool known as Certbot from Let’s Encrypt.
    • Visit Certbot’s website.
    • Choose your server type and operating system.
    • Follow the step-by-step instructions to install and configure the SSL certificate.
  3. Renew Automatically: Let’s Encrypt certificates are valid for 90 days, but Certbot can automatically renew them.

2. Cloudflare SSL

Cloudflare is one of the CDN services that also provide free SSL on the basic plan they offer.

Steps to Enable Cloudflare SSL:

  1. Sign up for a free Cloudflare account at cloudflare.com.
  2. Sign up a website with Cloudflare and change the DNS setting of the domain to Cloudflare nameservers.
  3. Cloudflare has SSL/TLS listed under its main dash where you locate the SSL/TLS section.
  4. Select the respective SSL mode among Flexible, Full or Full (Strict).
  5. Cloudflare offers you the chance to get a free SSL certificate for your website.

3. ZeroSSL

ZeroSSL is another that has the advantage of being free certificate authority that has easy to install SSL certificates.

Steps to Get a ZeroSSL Certificate:

  1. Visit zerossl.com and create a free account.
  2. Use their online tool to generate a free SSL certificate.
  3. Download the certificate files and place it on your server so that clients connect to it.
  4. ZeroSSL certificates are issued for 90 days and as they expire they can be renewed for free.

4. Web Hosting Providers Offering Free SSL

Many web hosting companies offer free SSL certificates as part of their hosting plans. Some popular hosts that include free SSL are:

  • Hostinger
  • SiteGround
  • Bluehost
  • HostGator
  • DreamHost

If your host offers free SSL, you can usually enable it through the hosting control panel with just a few clicks.

How to Install an SSL Certificate

Once you’ve obtained a free SSL certificate, follow these general steps to install it on your website:

1. Access Your Hosting Control Panel

Log in to your web hosting control panel (cPanel, Plesk, etc.).

2. Navigate to the SSL/TLS Section

Look for the SSL/TLS or Security section, where you can manage certificates.

3. Upload the SSL Certificate

Upload the SSL certificate files (certificate, private key, and CA bundle) provided by the certificate authority.

4. Configure HTTPS

Update your website’s configuration to use HTTPS:

  • Update internal links from HTTP to HTTPS.
  • Configure 301 redirects from HTTP to HTTPS.
  • Update any hardcoded URLs in your website’s files.

5. Test the SSL Installation

Use online tools like SSL Labs to verify that the SSL certificate is correctly installed and configured.

Conclusion

It is now possible to get a free SSL certificate through Let’s Encrypt, Cloudflare, and ZeroSSL among other organizations.HTTPS provides not only your visitors protection but also makes your site more reliable and increases your ranking in the search results page.

Begin today by picking one of the free options outlined above and protect your site for better and safer browsing.

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