Understanding SSL Certificates in WordPress

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is a security protocol that ensures data transfer between the user and the website is secure. Websites with SSL certificates have an HTTPS prefix, making them more secure. In WordPress, the process of installing SSL certificates is rather easy, but so too is updating them. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to update an SSL certificate in WordPress, step by step.

Step 1: Check your Current SSL Certificate

The first step is verifying your current SSL certificate. Look for the HTTPS prefix in the URL, and click on the padlock next to the URL to show the details of the SSL certificate, including its expiration date.

Step 2: Purchase a New SSL Certificate

When approaching the expiration date of your current SSL certificate, you should purchase a new one. Most web hosting companies offer SSL certificates, or one may get them from a third-party provider.

Step 3: Install the New SSL Certificate

After purchasing the new SSL certificate, it’s time to install it on your website, which may vary depending on your web hosting provider. The general installation steps are logged in to your web hosting account, navigating to the SSL/TLS option, clicking the install SSL certificate option, and copy-pasting the new SSL certificate information into the fields provided.

Step 4: Check the SSL Certificate

Once the new SSL certificate is installed, you need to check if it’s working correctly by looking for the HTTPS prefix in the URL and clicking on the padlock icon. Alternatively, you can verify the installation using an SSL checker tool.

Step 5: Update Your Website’s URL

You need to update your site’s URL to HTTPS instead of HTTP after successfully installing the new SSL certificate. Navigate to the General settings in the WordPress dashboard and update the WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) fields with HTTPS.

Step 6: Configure WordPress settings

Configuring WordPress settings is also necessary to guarantee that your site’s using HTTPS correctly. This step involves updating the website URL in the WordPress database, updating the CDN settings if any, and updating the social media sharing settings to the new HTTPS URL.

Step 7: Test the Website

The final step after updating the WordPress settings is testing your website to ensure everything is working correctly. Check for mixed content or broken links that can cause security issues. A mixed content warning means your website has HTTP content on an HTTPS page.

Updating an SSL certificate in WordPress might seem complicated, but it’s straightforward. Follow the steps outlined above to update your SSL certificate with ease, and don’t forget to test your website to ensure everything is working correctly.