Install SSL Cert on GoDaddy Managed WordPress Hosting

Many bloggers have moved to cheaper, yet equally effective web hosting services in search of that perfect bargain. These services can be very useful for people who want to keep their websites independent from web hosts. While there are many benefits to building a site on your own servers, the convenience of having a provider take care of the technicalities can’t be denied. Plus, there are plenty of hosted web services out there that are just as reliable as the big name providers but offer a much more affordable price tag.

If you’re looking to install an SSL certificate on your web host, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will cover the steps to get up and running with an SSL secured blog or website on GoDaddy Managed WordPress Hosting in just a few minutes. Keep reading for more info on the topic.

Why GoDaddy Managed WordPress Hosting?

The most popular web host among bloggers and online merchants, GoDaddy, offers a managed WordPress hosting plan that is just as reliable as their standard plan but at a discount. The plan provides you with a free domain and web server along with one dedicated IP. This is extremely useful for people who want to build their own sites or blogs because they can remain independent of a third party while having all the functionality they need to succeed. Essentially, with this plan you can have a functioning website or blog in just a few minutes. More details below.

How Do I Install An SSL Certificate On GoDaddy Managed WordPress Hosting?

While there are many WordPress hosting providers out there, not all of them offer the same level of convenience as GoDaddy. One of the major differences between the two is that GoDaddy provides you with the ability to install an SSL certificate on your site free of charge. Normally, you would have to pay for this service on a regular basis if you decide to install your own SSL certificate.

Installing an SSL certificate on GoDaddy is very simple. You will just need to visit the cPanel dashboard, click on the SSL tab, and then follow the on-screen instructions. You will need two things to complete this process:

• A valid certificate from a reputable provider
• The proper private key

Installing a certificate with your own private key is not recommended. If you do, then you give up all the advantages of using a managed WordPress host. Instead, you should install the certificate that is already provided by GoDaddy. The convenience of having a certificate already installed is that it takes the worry out of having to worry about renewals or anything else related to the certificate as soon as it expires. Plus, with that worry gone, you can focus more on driving traffic to your site.

What Type Of SSL Certificate Should I Get?

To continue, let’s discuss a few different types of SSL certificates that you can get for your WordPress site or blog. We will discuss what each one means and how to decide which one is right for your needs.

• Basic SSL: This is the most basic type of secure socket layer certificate. Its main advantage is that it is free, but it has several drawbacks. First, it is not ideal for serving assets (CSS, JS, and images) to users. Second, it is not ideal for serving offline resources (like PDFs and XLS spreadsheets) because many users have SSL restricted by default to prevent MITM attacks. Third, it is not equipped to handle the volume of traffic that a blog or website can generate. If none of these are a concern for you, then this is the perfect certificate choice. However, if you’re looking for something more robust, then you should move to one of the other options.
• Domain Validation SSL: This type of certificate is very convenient because it is installed automatically when you buy a domain through a reputable domain registrar. Its main advantage is that you don’t need to do anything to get it because it is trusted by default. Its drawbacks are the same as the basic SSL certificate. While this is the preferred option for most people, it’s not perfect for everyone.
• Organic Valley SSL: This is the preferred option for most people because it is trusted by default and the price is considerably cheaper than the other two types of certificates mentioned here. Its main advantage is that it is ideal for serving all types of content to users, including assets (JavaScript, images, and CSS), online resources (like email marketing tools, FAQs, and interactive forms), and offline resources (like word processing documents, PDFs, and XLS spreadsheets). The only downside to this certificate is that it costs a little more than the other two options. However, if you’re looking for a cheaper option that is still considered reliable by most webmasters, then this is the one for you.
• GeoTrust Global CA: This is the most popular SSL certificate amongst bloggers and online stores because it is trusted by default and is relatively easy to use. Its main advantage is that it is ideal for serving all types of content to users, including assets (JavaScript, images, and CSS), online resources (like email marketing tools, FAQs, and interactive forms), and offline resources (like word processing documents, PDFs, and XLS spreadsheets). The downside to this certificate is that it is a pain to try to get someone to manually validate it for you (especially since its reporting is often inaccurate). If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to ensure the safety of your visitors, then this is the one for you. However, if you’re looking for a more robust solution that can be validated by a reputable body, then you should go with the basic or domain validation certificates mentioned above.

When Do I Install The SSL Certificate On My Blog?

Now that you know what type of SSL certificate you will need and why you need it, it’s time to figure out when you will install it on your blog or website. There is no strict rule that says you have to install it immediately, but doing so can provide you with several advantages.

Reduced Risk Of Fraud

One of the great things about having a reputable web host like GoDaddy is that they will take care of all the technicalities involved in securing your site. This means you can sit back and relax while knowing your site is being maintained by expert professionals. One of the things those experts will be doing is installing a proper security certificate on your site. Having this certificate enabled is one of the best ways to prevent online fraudsters from gaining access to your account and stealing your assets.

Installing the SSL certificate when you register your domain name is the simplest option. However, some experts recommend waiting until you have at least 500 visitors per month before you install it. The reason behind this is that when you first install it, your visitors will be unable to access assets on your site (like images, CSS, or JavaScript) because they do not have the proper security certificate. The benefit of this is that it prevents online fraudsters from stealing your assets while giving you the opportunity to learn how to properly use the security features the certificate provides.

Improved User Experience

When users access your site via HTTPS, it provides them with a better user experience. The reason behind this is that browsers will show a green lock icon next to the URL in the address bar whenever it is served via HTTPS. This indicates the site is encrypted (and therefore more secure) and probably also indicates the site owner is taking the extra step to secure it.

Encrypting your site’s connection is not enough these days. You should also take the time to secure it with at least a basic SSL certificate, preferably above mentioned ones like the ones from GeoTrust or Thawte. By encrypting your site’s connection but not the content within it, you are providing a minimal level of security to your users. The more you can do for your users, the better. If you’ve ever been redirected to a phishing site that seems perfectly legitimate, but you know it’s a trick because the URL is not https, then you know what I mean.

More Visibility

When your site is served via HTTPS, search engines will give it more visibility because it is more accessible to their crawlers. This means you can expect to see your site rank higher in searches than if it were served up via HTTP. Just remember, not all SEO is created equal, so you will need to put in the work to see the results you’re looking for. Create engaging content that is valuable to your audience and you’ll be well on your way to achieving your SEO goals.