How to Set Up SSL Certificate in HostGator Hosting for Your WordPress Site: Step-by-Step Guide

Set Up SSL Certificate in HostGator for WordPress Site
Reading Time: 4 minutes

Setting up an SSL certificate in HostGator for your WordPress site is an essential step to enhance website security and improve SEO rankings. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to set up SSL on HostGator and make your WordPress site secure.

SSL certificates help encrypt the data transferred between your website and its visitors, providing a secure browsing experience. Google favors websites with SSL, meaning that setting up an SSL certificate can positively impact your search engine rankings.

Why You Need an SSL Certificate for Your WordPress Site

An SSL certificate provides encryption for your website, which builds trust with your visitors by assuring them that their personal data is secure. Here are some key benefits:

  • Improves SEO: Search engines like Google give a ranking boost to websites with SSL certificates, which can improve visibility.
  • Enhances Security: SSL encrypts the data exchanged between your website and your visitors, protecting it from hackers.
  • Builds Trust: Visitors are more likely to trust websites with a secure HTTPS URL, which can lead to higher conversion rates.

Step 1: Purchase an SSL Certificate

Free vs. Paid SSL Certificates

HostGator offers both free and paid SSL certificates. For a basic WordPress site, a free SSL certificate will likely suffice. However, if you manage an e-commerce website or handle sensitive information, a paid SSL certificate offers additional features and a higher level of security.

How to Choose the Right SSL Certificate:

  • Free SSL: Good for small websites or personal blogs.
  • Paid SSL: Ideal for business websites and e-commerce, offering extended validation and additional features.

Steps to Purchase an SSL on HostGator:

  1. Log in to your HostGator account.
  2. Navigate to the SSL certificates section.
  3. Choose a suitable SSL package and complete the purchase.

Step 2: Access the cPanel in HostGator

After purchasing your SSL certificate, the next step is to access the cPanel, where you’ll activate and install the SSL certificate for your WordPress site. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Log into HostGator: Access your HostGator account and open the Dashboard.
  2. Open cPanel: Find and click the cPanel icon, usually available under the ‘Hosting’ tab.

Step 3: Install the SSL Certificate

Using AutoSSL for Free SSL Installation

If you’re using a free SSL certificate, HostGator provides an AutoSSL tool that automatically installs the SSL on your website. Follow these steps:

  1. Navigate to Security Section: In the cPanel, locate the “Security” section and click on the “SSL/TLS Status” option.
  2. Enable AutoSSL: Click on the AutoSSL icon and select the domain you want to secure.
  3. Run AutoSSL: Click on “Run AutoSSL” to install the SSL certificate. Once completed, your website will now be accessible via HTTPS.

Manual SSL Installation for Paid SSL Certificates

If you have purchased a paid SSL, HostGator may require you to install the SSL manually. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Go to SSL/TLS Manager: In the cPanel, navigate to the SSL/TLS Manager.
  2. Manage SSL Sites: Click on “Manage SSL Sites” and choose the domain you want to secure.
  3. Copy SSL Details: Enter the Certificate (CRT), Private Key (KEY), and Certificate Authority Bundle (CABUNDLE) into the respective fields.
  4. Install SSL: Click “Install Certificate” to complete the process.

Step 4: Configure WordPress for HTTPS

Update Site URL

After installing the SSL certificate, update your WordPress URL settings to reflect the secure HTTPS URL.

  1. Access WordPress Dashboard: Log into your WordPress site.
  2. Update URL: Go to Settings > General and change both the WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) to “https://”.

Redirect HTTP to HTTPS

To ensure all traffic is securely redirected, set up a redirect from HTTP to HTTPS. This can be done by adding the following code to your website’s .htaccess file:

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

This redirect will automatically forward all traffic from HTTP to HTTPS.


Step 5: Verify SSL Installation

After setting up your SSL certificate, verify it to ensure everything is working correctly. Use an SSL Checker tool, such as SSL Checker by SSL Shopper, to confirm your site is secure.

Step 6: Update Google Search Console

Once your SSL certificate is live, update your Google Search Console settings to reflect the HTTPS URL. This step ensures Google recognizes the secure version of your website and indexes it correctly.

  1. Log into your Google Search Console account.
  2. Add the HTTPS version of your site as a new property.
  3. Submit your sitemap for the HTTPS version.

FAQs on Setting Up SSL in HostGator for WordPress

Q: Can I use a free SSL for my e-commerce site on HostGator?
A: While it’s possible, a paid SSL offers extended validation and additional security, making it more suitable for e-commerce sites.

Q: What if my site still shows “Not Secure” after SSL setup?
A: This can happen due to mixed content errors. Ensure all links and media files are updated to HTTPS, or use a plugin like Really Simple SSL to fix these issues.

Q: Do I need to renew my SSL certificate?
A: Free SSL certificates often renew automatically. Paid SSL certificates require manual renewal depending on the package duration.


Conclusion

Securing your WordPress site with an SSL certificate from HostGator is essential for SEO and visitor trust. By following these steps, you can easily set up SSL on HostGator, ensuring your site is safe, professional, and compliant with Google’s security guidelines.

For more information on setting up SSL on other hosting platforms, check out our guide on How to Install an SSL Certificate in Bluehost for Your WordPress Website.

Share the Post:

Related Posts

Join Our Newsletter!

Scroll to Top

CONTACT US