BlueHost Tips: How To Add HTTPS To Your Domain

• Log into your web hosting plan 
• Choose your SSL certificate 
• Activate and install your SSL certificate 
• Redirect users to your HTTPS domain

Bluehost makes it easy to add HTTPS to your domain name. When you log into your Bluehost dashboard, click on My Sites, then choose Manage Site for the website where you want to install the SSL certificate. 

Under the Security tab, you’ll see the option to install your free SSL certificate.

Once you activate it, the certificate could take a few hours to update your site to use HTTPS.

After it updates, you’ll have to make your old HTTP website redirect to your new HTTPS website. You can do that using a 301 redirect, or you can add SSL to WordPress with the Really Simple SSL plugin that helps you convert HTTP to HTTPS and redirect all your links correctly. 

Bluehost uses AutoSSL for its certificate system. AutoSSL generates new certificates for each website with Let’s Encrypt, and it happens automatically for each new account and accounts with WordPress installed. 

Once you’ve figured out how to add HTTPS to your domain, verify that your website is working and correctly uses the HTTPS protocol. 

You can also go to your control panel to manage your SSL/TLS status. If you encounter any issues, contact Bluehost support to help you troubleshoot.

Installing an SSL Certificate With a Third-Party Provider

Once you learn how to add HTTPS to your website, you might realize that you need to install an SSL certificate with higher security or different specific features. In that case, you can add SSL to your website using a third-party provider with the TLS/SSL Manager. 

Consider if you need to purchase an SSL certificate from an authority like SSL.com that better suits your needs. 

You can also upgrade your certificate through the Bluehost Marketplace. 

Renewing Your SSL Certificate

Just like your domain name, you need to renew your SSL certificate. Most certificates are valid for one year. 

If you install an SSL certificate from a third party, stay vigilant about renewing your certification. Losing that secure connection even for one day can hurt your SEO and customer trust.  

With AutoSSL, Bluehost keeps your certificate up to date, so you don’t have to manually renew your certificate. 

SEO Best Practices With HTTPS & SSL Web Hosting

Google has been vocal about making the internet a safer place, and one way of doing that is HTTPS. And some websites have seen their rankings grow exponentially after switching to it. 

After you’ve set up your HTTPS website, verify the HTTPS website in your Google Search Console.

You should also update your XML sitemaps to make it more straightforward for search engines to properly index your website. 

Plus, know that it takes time for rankings to update when you make significant updates to your website. So, be patient as search engines recrawl your website. 

Adding HTTPS to your website is a standard security practice. Customers want to know that when they visit your website, they will be safe to do business. Having “not secure” next to your website’s name in the address bar can hurt your credibility. 

With the help of HTTPS and SSL certificates, the information between browser and servers gets encrypted and stays safe from malicious hands. And it’s a simple process to set up your HTTPS website. 

Bluehost offers free SSL certificates and easy setup on your Bluehost dashboard. Head over to your cPanel, and you can monitor its function and upgrade to a paid SSL version if you want more security. 

Now that you know how to add HTTPS to your domain, you can make a continued commitment to the safety of both your customers’ information and your own. 

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