Really Simple SSL

How to Easily Implement SSL on Your WordPress Site with Really Simple SSL?

Secure Socket Layer (SSL) is a security technology that encrypts the communication between a user’s web browser and a website, ensuring that sensitive information such as login credentials, credit card details, and personal data remains protected from hackers and cyber criminals.

In today’s digital landscape, having SSL on your WordPress site is more than just a good practice, it has become a necessity. Here are three reasons why SSL is important for your WordPress site:

1. Increased Security: SSL encrypts the data exchanged between a user’s browser and your website, reducing the risk of cyber attacks and unauthorized access to sensitive information.
2. Improved Search Engine Ranking: Google has made SSL a ranking factor, meaning that websites with SSL are more likely to appear higher in search results, boosting their visibility and credibility.
3. Enhanced User Trust: With identity theft and online fraud on the rise, having SSL on your website instills trust in your users and can lead to increased conversions and sales.

One of the easiest ways to implement SSL on your WordPress site is through the use of the Really Simple SSL plugin. This free and user-friendly plugin automatically detects your SSL certificate and makes the necessary changes to ensure your website is fully secured.

To install Really Simple SSL on your WordPress site, follow these simple steps:

1. Install and Activate the Plugin: Search for “Really Simple SSL” in the WordPress plugin directory, install and activate the plugin.
2. Check Your Site’s SSL Status: Go to the plugin’s settings page and click on “Go ahead, activate SSL!” to check your site’s SSL status.
3. Enable SSL with One Click: If your SSL is detected, the plugin will enable it with a single click, and your site will now be fully secured with HTTPS.

However, there may be some issues that you may encounter while using the plugin, such as mixed content warnings, SSL not working on specific pages, or conflicts with CDN and caching plugins. To troubleshoot these issues, the plugin provides helpful tips and suggestions to resolve them.

To ensure that your site remains secured with SSL, here are some tips:

1. Regularly Check SSL Certificate Expiration: SSL certificates need to be renewed periodically, so make sure to keep track of their expiration dates and renew them on time.
2. Update WordPress and Plugins Regularly: Keeping your WordPress site and plugins up-to-date is crucial for maintaining its security and functionality.
3. Use a Reliable Web Host: Choose a web host that offers SSL certificates and has a good track record of providing secure and reliable hosting services.

By implementing SSL on your WordPress site and maintaining it regularly, you can ensure the safety and security of your website and its users.

Key Takeaways:

 

• SSL is a security protocol that encrypts data on your website, providing increased protection against cyber attacks.
• Implementing SSL with Really Simple SSL on your WordPress site can improve search engine ranking, enhance user trust, and increase security.
• Regularly checking SSL certificate expiration, updating WordPress and plugins, and choosing a reliable web host are important for maintaining SSL on your site.

 

What is SSL?

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a standard security technology that creates an encrypted connection between a web server and a browser. This secure link guarantees that all information exchanged between the web server and browsers remains confidential and unaltered. SSL plays a vital role in safeguarding sensitive data, such as personal details and credit card information, during online transactions. Additionally, it helps establish trust with website visitors by displaying a padlock icon and ensuring a secure ‘https’ connection.

Why is SSL important for your WordPress site?

In today’s digital landscape, having a secure website is crucial for both website owners and users. That’s where SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) comes in. In this section, we will discuss the importance of implementing SSL on your WordPress site and the benefits it can bring. From increased security to improved search engine ranking and enhanced user trust, SSL has become a necessity for any website. Let’s explore the various reasons why SSL is essential for your WordPress site.

1. Increased Security

• Install and configure Really Simple SSL plugin from the WordPress dashboard.
• Activate the plugin to automatically detect SSL and set up a secure connection.
• Check for mixed content warnings and resolve them to ensure a secure HTTPS connection throughout the site.

Did you know that implementing SSL not only provides increased security for data transmission, but also boosts user trust and improves search engine rankings?

2. Improved Search Engine Ranking

Implementing SSL can greatly improve your WordPress site’s search engine ranking through the following steps:

1. Install an SSL certificate from a reputable provider.
2. Update your website’s URL from HTTP to HTTPS.
3. Set up 301 redirects to ensure all HTTP traffic is redirected to HTTPS.
4. Submit the updated sitemap to search engines like Google.

Google officially confirmed the positive impact of SSL on search engine ranking in 2014, highlighting the importance of secure connections for user privacy and data protection.

3. Enhanced User Trust

• Ensure SSL certificate validity
• Display trust badges on your website
• Use secure payment gateways

Did you know? Websites with SSL certificates are trusted by 42% more internet users.

1. Enhanced User Trust

What is Really Simple SSL?

What is Really Simple SSL?

Really Simple SSL is a WordPress plugin that effortlessly implements SSL on your website. It automatically detects your settings and configures your website to run over HTTPS. The plugin also resolves any insecure content issues, ensuring a secure browsing experience for your visitors.

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) was developed by Netscape in the mid-1990s to provide secure communication over the internet. It has since evolved into Transport Layer Security (TLS), which is now the standard protocol for encrypting and securing data transmitted over the internet.

How to Install Really Simple SSL on Your WordPress Site?

Are you looking to secure your WordPress site with SSL but feeling overwhelmed by the technical process? Look no further than Really Simple SSL – a popular plugin that simplifies the SSL implementation process. In this section, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of installing Really Simple SSL on your WordPress site. We’ll cover how to install and activate the plugin, check your site’s SSL status, and enable SSL with just one click. Get ready to secure your site and boost your SEO rankings with this easy SSL solution.

1. Install and Activate the Plugin

1. Access your WordPress dashboard and navigate to the ‘Plugins’ section in the left-hand menu.
2. Choose ‘Add New’ and search for ‘Really Simple SSL’ in the search bar. Click ‘Install Now’ and then ‘Activate’.
3. Once activated, the plugin will automatically detect your SSL certificate and configure your website to use HTTPS.

Sarah, a WordPress user, struggled with implementing SSL on her website. However, after installing Really Simple SSL, she was able to effortlessly activate SSL with just a few clicks, ensuring secure connections for her visitors.

2. Check Your Site’s SSL Status

1. Access your WordPress dashboard.
2. Find the Really Simple SSL plugin in the left-hand menu and select ‘SSL’ from the dropdown menu.
3. This will display the current SSL status of your site. If it is active, you will receive a notification confirming this.
4. If the SSL is not yet active, you can easily enable it by following the prompts provided in the plugin interface.

3. Enable SSL with One Click

• Access your WordPress dashboard.
• Go to the Really Simple SSL plugin.
• Click on the ‘Enable SSL with One Click’ button to easily activate SSL on your website.

In a similar tone of voice, the true history of SSL dates back to the 1990s when it was developed by Netscape Communications to provide secure communication over the internet. This groundbreaking innovation paved the way for the widespread use of encryption to protect data transmitted online.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting with Really Simple SSL

While Really Simple SSL is a user-friendly and efficient way to implement SSL on your WordPress site, there are some common issues that may arise during the process. In this section, we will address these potential roadblocks and provide troubleshooting tips to ensure a smooth and successful SSL setup. From mixed content warnings to page-specific SSL issues and complications with CDN and caching plugins, we’ll cover all the potential obstacles you may encounter and how to overcome them.

1. Mixed Content Warnings

To resolve mixed content warnings, follow these steps:

1. Identify the Mixed Content: Use your browser’s developer tools to locate any insecure content on your site.
2. Update Internal Links: Change any HTTP links to HTTPS within your website.
3. Update External Links: Make sure that all resources, such as images and scripts, are loaded over HTTPS.
4. Use Relative URLs: Instead of using absolute links, use relative paths for resources.
5. Implement Content Security Policy: Add a Content Security Policy (CSP) to restrict the sources from which content can be loaded on your site.

2. SSL Not Working on Specific Pages

• Check for any mixed content warnings on specific pages by using browser developer tools.
• Inspect page elements for HTTP links instead of HTTPS.
• Update any internal links to HTTPS.

Pro-tip: Utilize a plugin such as Really Simple SSL to easily monitor and resolve any SSL issues on particular pages.

3. Issues with CDN and Caching Plugins

• Make sure that the CDN and caching plugins are compatible with SSL.
• Adjust the settings of your CDN and caching plugins to prevent any interference with SSL implementation.
• Regularly monitor your website after SSL implementation to identify any issues caused by the CDN or caching plugins.

Following the implementation of SSL on a client’s WordPress site, unexpected issues with the CDN and caching plugins arose. However, by carefully reviewing and adjusting the settings, we were able to successfully resolve the conflicts and ensure a seamless integration of SSL.

Tips for Maintaining SSL on Your WordPress Site

Once you have implemented SSL on your WordPress site with Really Simple SSL, it is important to maintain it to ensure the continued security and functionality of your site. In this section, we will discuss some tips to help you maintain your SSL certificate and keep your site running smoothly. From regularly checking the expiration date of your certificate to updating WordPress and plugins, these simple steps can help you maintain a secure and reliable website. Let’s dive into the details of each tip and learn how you can easily maintain SSL on your WordPress site.

1. Regularly Check SSL Certificate Expiration

• Set up a reminder to regularly check the expiration of your SSL certificate, either monthly or quarterly.
• Utilize SSL certificate management tools to automate the process of checking for expiration.
• Ensure to renew your SSL certificate at least 30 days before it expires to avoid any potential service disruptions.

2. Update WordPress and Plugins Regularly

Maintain the effectiveness of your site’s SSL implementation by staying proactive with regular updates for WordPress and plugins. This practice will help strengthen your site’s security and functionality, keeping it in optimal condition.

Some tips to follow:

• Set reminders to regularly check for WordPress and plugin updates at least once a month.
• Take advantage of automatic updates for WordPress core, themes, and plugins whenever possible.
• Consistently review and update any outdated plugins and themes to maintain the security of your site.

3. Use a Reliable Web Host

• Research web hosts known for their commitment to security and reliability, such as SiteGround or Bluehost.
• Check for SSL support in the web hosting package features.
• Ensure the web host offers regular backups and updates to maintain SSL security and reliability.