Note: SSL certificates are to be installed only by qualified WHC technicians.
Introduction
An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate encrypts data transmitted between the web server and the web site visitor, effectively preventing "Man in the middle" type of vulnerabilities. SSL certificates are strongly recommended if you ask your users to provide sensitive information (including personal information and passwords) on your web site. SSL certificates are mandatory if you ask your users to type their credit card information on your website, or other such confidential information.
Ordering an SSL certificate with a web hosting account
You can order an SSL certificate at the same time as a web hosting account. All you need to do is to check the SSL Certificate + Dedicated IP Address box when you are asked to configure additional products. Please note that a dedicated IP address is mandatory for the installation of an SSL certificate, and it must be ordered together with the certificate. The purchase of an SSL certificate is valid for a year, and includes installation by a technician within 48 hours of your payment being received.
Adding an SSL certificate to an existing hosting account
To add an SSL certificate and/or dedicated IP address to a hosting account you already own, please connect to the Client Area > My Services > Order Addons. Click on the Continue button under "SSL Certificate + Dedicated IP Address", and follow the instructions to complete the purchase.
Installing/configuring the SSL certificate
The SSL certificate will be installed and configured by our technicians within 48 hours following your purchase. By default, the SSL certificate will be installed on the www version of your website, meaning: https://www.yourdomain.com. Note that this is an HTTPS (secured) and not HTTP (unsecured) link. If you wish to install the certificate on the non-www (ex: https://yourdomain.com) or on a subdomain (ex: https://secure.yourdomain.com), please open a support ticket before placing your order, and explain the details of your configuration.
Using an SSL certificate
To use the secure version of your site, it is only necessary to direct your visitors to the HTTPS link (by default: https://www.yourdomain.com). All accesses vis the HTTPS address will automatically use the installed certificate, and will display a small security lock in the user's browser to show that the access is secure. All pages/files within the public_html folder will be available in both HTTP and HTTPS versions, so it is not necessary to move your files in a specific folder, unless you have requested a non-standard configuration.
SSL Seal (or Logo)
After ordering and installing the SSL certificate, you can show to your customers that the site is secure by displaying the SSL seal on your web site. The SSL seal will be made available to you as soon as the certificate installation process is complete.
It has been proven that displaying a security seal on an e-commerce website can considerably improve your conversion rates.
SSL Errors
If you obtain SSL errors in your browser, please examine the error details. There could be several causes:
- You are trying to use the https address on the "www" subdomain rather than the non-www domain, or vice versa. Make sure that the secure URL matches the one that was ordered.
- You are inserting images or JavaScript scripts on your page that use the HTTP protocol instead of the HTTPS one. You can easily fix this problem by modifying the image links or JavaScript commands so that they use the HTTPS protocol (ex: if your link is < img src="http://mydomain.com/image.jpg" >, change it to < img src="https://mydomain.com/image.jpg >).
- The certificate is expired! You must renew it by paying your bill in the Client Area.
- The certificate is badly configured in your account. In this case, contact our support team.
Installing a third-party SSL certificate
You can install a third-party SSL certificate directly from your cPanel, as long as your account has already been assigned a dedicated IP address.
You can also request that our technicians install a certificate bought from a third party for you (at additional cost) by opening opening a support ticket.
