Perplexity and Burstiness: How to Redirect Your WordPress Site to HTTPS

Over the years, HTTPS has become the norm for websites and is highly beneficial due to its encryption protocol that allows for increased security and privacy for users. While WordPress is a commonly used content management system that powers over 40% of websites on the internet, it is important to redirect your WordPress site to HTTPS for improved security and user trust. In this article, we will explore different methods for redirecting your WordPress site to HTTPS.

Table of Contents

Method 1: Redirect WordPress Site to HTTPS Using a Plugin

One easy approach to redirecting your WordPress site to HTTPS is through a plugin:

Step 1: Install and Activate the Really Simple SSL Plugin

The Really Simple SSL plugin is a free WordPress plugin that enables the switch to HTTPS automatically. To start, follow these simple steps:

• Log in to your WordPress dashboard
• Navigate to Plugins > Add New
• Search for Really Simple SSL
• Click Install Now > Activate

Step 2: Enable SSL

Once the plugin is activated, it will automatically detect your SSL certificate and enable it. To ensure that you are now using HTTPS, check the URL in the address bar of your browser to see if it starts with https://.

Step 3: Enable Automatic Redirection

The plugin comes with an automatic redirection option from HTTP to HTTPS. To enable it:

• Go to Settings > SSL
• Check the box next to “Enable SSL”
• Click on the “Save” button

Your WordPress site is now redirected to HTTPS using Really Simple SSL.

Method 2: Redirect WordPress Site to HTTPS Using .htaccess File

Another way to redirect your WordPress site to HTTPS is by editing the .htaccess file. Here’s how:

Step 1: Backup Your .htaccess File

Before editing your .htaccess file, create a backup to avoid any accidental damage. Use an FTP client to download your current .htaccess file from your website’s root directory.

Step 2: Add Redirect Code to .htaccess File

Add the following redirect code to your .htaccess file:

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]

Save the file and upload it to your website’s root directory. Make sure to add this code before any other code in your .htaccess file.

Step 3: Test the Redirection

To test if the redirection is working, attempt to access your website using HTTP. Your website should automatically redirect to HTTPS if everything was done correctly.

Method 3: Redirect WordPress Site to HTTPS Using cPanel

Some web hosts offer the option to enable HTTPS for your website on the server itself. You can use cPanel to enable HTTPS and redirect your WordPress site to HTTPS. Here’s how:

Step 1: Log In to cPanel

Log in to your web host’s cPanel account using your credentials. Once logged in, look for the “Security” section and click on “SSL/TLS”.

Step 2: Install SSL Certificate

You need to install an SSL certificate for your website to enable HTTPS. If you don’t have an SSL certificate, you can purchase one from your web host or a third-party provider. To install an SSL certificate:

• Click on “Manage SSL sites” under the “Install and Manage SSL for your site” section.
• Select your domain from the dropdown list and enter the necessary details for the SSL certificate.

Step 3: Redirect to HTTPS

Once you have installed the SSL certificate, you can enable HTTPS redirection. To do this:

• Click on “Redirect” under “HTTPS Settings.”
• Select your domain from the dropdown list.
• Check the box next to “Only redirect with SSL.”
• Click on “Save.”

Your WordPress site is now redirected to HTTPS using cPanel.

Conclusion

Nowadays, HTTPS is vital for websites to ensure user safety and trust, as well as improved visibility on search engines. By redirecting your WordPress site to HTTPS, you can ensure security for your users and increase their confidence in your website. We hope this article helped you redirect your WordPress site to HTTPS using the above methods.