Making the conversion from HTTP to HTTPS has become essential for website owners in an era where website security is of the utmost importance. A secure connection between the user’s browser and your website is ensured by HTTPS, which offers data integrity and encryption. This comprehensive guide will take you step-by-step through the procedure if you have a WordPress site and wish to switch to HTTPS.
How to get an SSL Certificate
Get an SSL certificate from a reputable Certificate Authority (CA) to get started. Depending on your requirements and financial constraints, you can select from a variety of SSL certificates, including single domain, wildcard, and extended validation.
Make a website backup:
Make sure you have a complete backup of your WordPress site before making any changes. If something goes wrong during the transfer, this guarantees that you have a restoration point.
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WordPress and plugin updates:
Make sure WordPress is installed correctly and that all plugins are current. Keeping things up to date is crucial because outdated versions might not be entirely compatible with HTTPS.
Activate and install the SSL plugin:
Installing and turning on a trusted SSL plugin will streamline the migration process. Popular choices are SSL Insecure Content Fixer, Really Simple SSL, and Simple SSL. The majority of the required setups are handled automatically by these plugins.
SSL certificate activation:
To activate your SSL certificate, get in touch with your site hosting company and follow their instructions. Typically, to do this, you must send the CA your certificate, private key, and any intermediate certificates.
Update the site’s address and WordPress address:
Select “Settings” then “General” from the WordPress dashboard. Change the WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) fields so that HTTP is replaced with HTTPS. Keep the changes.
Update media URLs and internal links:
Run a search and replace operation on your WordPress database to make sure all internal links and media URLs are HTTPS. Update all occurrences of “http://” to “https://” by using a plugin like Better Search Replace or Velvet Blues Update URLs.
Freshen up external links:
Look for any external links that direct to HTTP URLs on your website. Manually switch those links over to HTTPS. If you have a lot of posts, you can change many instances at once by using a plugin like Velvet Blues change URLs or Search & Replace.
Update theme files and custom code:
Examine the theme files and any plugins or specialized code you’ve included. Check to see if any HTTP URLs are hardcoded, then upgrade them to use HTTPS.
Test and Confirm:
Test your website carefully after making the necessary adjustments to make sure everything is operating as it should. Use an online tool to check your SSL configuration and find any remaining problems, such as WhyNoPadlock or the SSL Server Test from SSL Labs.
Update Analytics and Search Console:
In Google Search Console and any other webmaster tools you employ, update the URL of your website. Additionally, make sure your analytics tracking code is updated to include the new HTTPS URLs.
Conclusion:
Making the switch from HTTP to HTTPS is essential for protecting your WordPress website and giving your users a secure surfing environment. These procedures will help you switch over to HTTPS without disrupting the functioning or search engine rankings of your website. For keeping a secure and reliable website, bear in mind to always keep backups, test rigorously, and stay up to speed with best practices.
