SSL HTTPS WooCommerce

Secure Sockets Layer (or SSL) is a technology used for securing transactions between server and browser while securing any information being sent from the browser to the server. SSL uses digital key pairs for authenticating traffic, a public and private key. HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is the primary encrypted protocol for sending data between the web browser and website. On the other hand, HTTP is the same protocol but without security and encryption. The main benefit of HTTPS over HTTP is the prevention of broadcasting website information in a way that is easily accessible by everyone on the internet. Additionally, HTTP protocol makes any communication over public networks very vulnerable. Essentially, HTTPS uses TLS/SSL encryption over the HTTP protocol, verifying that the provider is who they say they are.

In theory, running WooCommerce without an SSL certificate installed is possible. The out-of-the-box version of WooCommerce can run without HTTPS enabled, but it is not recommended. Key benefits of having an SSL certificate include easy encryption of customer data, easy confirmation of domain owners, visitors are more likely to trust the website and make purchases, etc. Also, SSL can help with your website SEO since Google ranks sites with SSL higher. If your WooCommerce store does not have an SSL certificate, you can potentially lose customers.

Additionally, for any WooCommerce store, SSL represents an essential part since a large amount of sensitive customer data is being transmitted for processing orders and purchases. Many payment gateways will not work if you do not have HTTPS protocol enabled. When you enable an SSL certificate on your WooCommerce store, consider displaying your SSL seal, a small verification image that indicates your store is secure. Visual information like this image increases trust from your customers and visitors. You can add other visual cues. Examples are payment icons and padlocks. Further details, like your phone number or address, also help. These additions boost your store’s legitimacy.

You can get SSL certificates for free. Some providers offer this. Alternatively, you can buy them. Use your hosting provider or a certification authority.

Free certificates often fulfill basic needs. You can adopt these free certificates through the Let’s Encrypt authority. Many website owners use this option.

If you need something more custom, you can buy it. This applies to a wildcard SSL, for instance. Use third-party sources like DigiCert, Trustwave, and others.

When choosing those mentioned above, it is good to think about all the work surrounding the SSL certification and maintenance of these certificates. For example, how hard is it to install the certificate, is it easily configurable after the installation, how to keep track of potential errors, is it easy to handle multiple websites, etc.?

For all of the above, WP Force SSL is a great option to consider. WP Force SSL helps users switch to HTTPS traffic, handle, and fix any SSL errors, install certificates, monitor for certificate expiration, etc. The centralized dashboard provides a place where you can control all purchases, sites, and SSL monitors, all from one location. SSL monitoring with a real-time monitor helps keep track of all certificates by monitoring for over 50 possible errors on your websites.

The whole process of certificate installation is made easy for everyone. After logging into your hosting panel and adding the SSL Certificate, WP Force SSL allows you to enable SSL on your website with just one click. The certificate renews automatically every 90 days. All features considered, WP Force SSL is one of the best SSL plugins available for website, especially for WooCommerce.

You have a few options when installing an SSL certificate. This applies to your WooCommerce store or any website.

Option 1: Use Your Host. Choose a hosting provider that offers a free SSL certificate. The host can handle the installation.

Option 2: Install It Yourself. Your host may not offer installation. Or, you may want to do it yourself. This option involves a bit more work, but you can achieve it. Note that tools like the WP Force SSL plugin can help. These tools make the installation process easy.

We will keep this short. Hundreds of detailed guides exist for installing SSL certificates.

First, log into your cPanel (if you use one). Click the SSL/TLS Manager in the Security tab. Then, click the “Manage SSL Sites” option. Open the .crt (certificate) file in a text editor like Notepad. Copy the certificate data. Include the "BEGIN CERTIFICATE" and "END CERTIFICATE" tags. Paste this text into the “Certificates (CRT)” area. Finally, click the “Install Certificate” button.

Alternatively, if you use a certificate from Let’s Encrypt, log into your hosting panel. Use the “Add SSL Certificate” or “Add Let’s Encrypt Certificate” option.

So, After that enabling the SSL certificate with WP Force SSL is just one click away. The plugin also takes up SSL certificate renewal, which regenerates the certificate every 90 days. When the process is completed, you can go to your website via the browser and verify your URL has the “https://” prefix with the padlock icon on the left. Also, if you try accessing your website using the HTTPs protocol, you will be automatically redirected to the HTTPS version. Keep in mind that for WooCommerce websites, you will probably have to the settings and manually change URLs to point to HTTPS protocol.

All things considered, you should highly enable SSL and install an SSL certificate. Do this for your WooCommerce store or any website. You will gain trust from potential customers. Google will rank your website higher. Hacking attacks become less likely. An SSL certificate encrypts and secures sensitive customer data. These benefits are all worth considering. Ultimately, they justify installing an SSL certificate.