Have you ever worried about the safety of your customers’ sensitive information when they shop on your WooCommerce store? With the rise of online shopping, ensuring the security of your eCommerce platform is more critical than ever.
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates are your frontline defense in protecting data transmission between your web server and your clients.
SSL certificates encrypt sensitive information like credit card details and personal data, keeping it safe from prying eyes and malicious attacks. In fact, many payment gateways insist on SSL certificates to process transactions securely. This makes SSL certificates indispensable for eCommerce platforms like WooCommerce, not only for security but also for building and maintaining consumer trust.
The benefits of SSL certificates go beyond WooCommerce security. They also play a vital role in your Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Search engines favor secure websites with HTTPS, which can boost your rankings, increase visibility, and drive more traffic to your store. Implementing SSL helps you comply with privacy standards like PCI DSS, enhancing the legitimacy and reliability of your site.
In this article, we’ll guide you through selecting the right SSL certificate. Whether you’re setting up your WooCommerce store for the first time or looking to upgrade an existing SSL certificate, we’ll provide step-by-step instructions on how to do it all!
Choosing a free vs paid SSL certificate for your store
Free SSL certificates, such as those provided by Let’s Encrypt, offer basic encryption for your WooCommerce store. These certificates are designed to be easy to install and are perfect for small websites or personal blogs.
They provide Domain Validation (DV), which means they verify that you own the domain without any additional checks on your organization’s identity. While this level of encryption is sufficient for basic security needs, it might not be enough for an eCommerce site that handles sensitive customer information.
Paid SSL certificates, on the other hand, are issued by trusted Certificate Authorities (CAs) and come with a range of additional features that free SSL certificates do not offer. These certificates provide a higher level of validation, which can significantly enhance the trustworthiness of your site.
Paid SSL certificates offer advanced validation options such as Organization Validation (OV) and Extended Validation (EV).
OV certificates require the CA to verify your business’s identity and legitimacy, ensuring that your organization is a legally registered entity. EV certificates go a step further, involving a thorough vetting process that includes verifying your organization’s physical address, legal existence, and operational status. Websites with EV certificates display a green address bar or a company name in the browser’s address bar, which can significantly boost customer trust and confidence, potentially leading to higher conversion rates.
Additionally, paid SSL certificates provide enhanced support.
With paid certificates, you typically receive better customer service and faster issuance times, which can be crucial for WooCommerce sites that need to ensure continuous secure transactions. Additionally, paid SSL certificates often come with comprehensive warranties, providing financial protection in case of a security breach due to a flaw in the certificate.
Paid SSL certificates are also known for their compatibility and flexibility.
They can secure multiple domains or wildcard domains, making them an excellent choice for WooCommerce sites with multiple subdomains or domains. Furthermore, paid certificates are often compatible with a broader range of older browsers and devices, ensuring that all your customers can access your site securely, regardless of the technology they use.
Best types of SSL certificates for WooCommerce
Extended Validation SSL certificates
EV SSL certificates offer the highest level of validation and trust, making them ideal for eCommerce sites like WooCommerce. When you install an EV SSL certificate on your WooCommerce store, your customers will see a green address bar and your company name displayed in the browser’s address bar.
The thorough validation process involved in obtaining an EV SSL certificate ensures that your business is legitimate and trustworthy, further boosting your site’s credibility.
Wildcard SSL certificates
Wildcard SSL certificates are perfect for WooCommerce sites with multiple subdomains. These certificates can secure an unlimited number of subdomains with a single certificate, making them a cost-effective and efficient solution for sites with various product categories, languages, or regional subdomains.
For example, if your main domain is “example.com” and you have subdomains like “shop.example.com” and “blog.example.com”, a wildcard SSL certificate will cover all these subdomains under one certificate, simplifying management and reducing costs.
Multi-domain SSL certificates
Multi-domain SSL certificates, also known as SAN (Subject Alternative Name) certificates, are designed to secure multiple domains and subdomains with a single certificate. This makes them an excellent option for WooCommerce sites with multiple brands or domains.
For instance, if you operate “example.com”, “example.net”, and “example.org”, a multi-domain SSL certificate can secure all these domains simultaneously. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for businesses managing several online stores or brands under different domain names.
Recommended SSL certification authorities for WooCommerce
- Comodo (Sectigo): Comodo, now known as Sectigo, offers a range of SSL certificates, including EV, OV, and DV certificates. They are known for their quick issuance and strong encryption, making them a reliable choice for WooCommerce sites looking to secure their transactions and boost customer trust.
- GoDaddy: GoDaddy is a popular choice for SSL certificates. They offer a variety of certificate types, including EV, OV, and wildcard options, providing flexibility for different security needs.
- Entrust: Entrust is renowned for its security features and a wide range of certificate types, including standard, wildcard, and multi-domain options. Their certificates are designed to meet the high-security standards required for eCommerce sites, ensuring comprehensive protection for your WooCommerce store.
How to install your SSL certificate on WooCommerce
There are three main methods to install an SSL certificate: automatic installation through your hosting provider, using a plugin, and manual installation. Let’s go through each method step-by-step:
Method 1: Automatic installation through your hosting provider
Many web hosting providers offer free SSL certificates that can be automatically installed on your WooCommerce site. This method is typically the easiest and most cost-effective option for most users. Here’s how to do it:
- Log into your hosting control panel: Access your web hosting account and navigate to the control panel (e.g., cPanel, Plesk, or a custom control panel provided by your host).
- Find the SSL/TLS manager: Look for an SSL/TLS manager or a security section within your control panel. This section is where you’ll manage your SSL certificates.
- Activate the SSL certificate: For hosting providers that offer one-click SSL installation, simply follow the prompts to install the certificate. They will automatically add an SSL certificate to your domain once it is pointed to their servers. If not, you might need to activate it manually by selecting your domain and enabling the SSL certificate.
- Verify installation: Check your website by accessing it using https://. Look for the padlock icon in the browser’s address bar to confirm that the SSL is active.
- Troubleshoot any issues: If the SSL certificate doesn’t seem to be working, contact your hosting provider’s support for assistance. They can help you resolve any issues and ensure that your SSL certificate is correctly installed.
This method is straightforward and often involves minimal effort, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer a hassle-free setup.
Method 2: Using a plugin
Plugins can simplify the process and handle many of the technical details for you:
- Install an SSL plugin: Go to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Add New, and search for an SSL plugin like Really Simple SSL or SSL Zen.
- Install and activate the plugin: After installing the plugin, follow its setup wizard to activate SSL on your site. The plugin will automatically detect your SSL certificate and make the necessary changes to your WordPress settings.
- Verify SSL activation: Once the plugin is activated, visit your site using https:// and ensure the padlock icon is present in the browser’s address bar.
- Configure additional settings: Some plugins offer additional settings to ensure all site content is served securely. Review these settings and adjust as needed.
While plugins make the SSL installation process easier, they may not address all mixed content issues. Mixed content issues occur when some elements on your site (such as images or scripts) are still being loaded over HTTP instead of HTTPS. Some plugins can handle most configurations automatically, but you may need to manually update URLs in your content or theme files. It’s important to:
- Check your site thoroughly for any insecure content.
- Update any hard-coded URLs in your themes or plugins to use HTTPS.
- Use a plugin like Better Search Replace to update URLs in your database if necessary.
Method 3: Doing it manually
Manual installation requires a certain level of technical expertise and is not recommended for beginners. However, it gives you complete control over the process and can be beneficial for those who are comfortable with more advanced configurations:
- Purchase and obtain the SSL certificate: Purchase an SSL certificate from a trusted CA and submit your CSR to them. They will provide you with the certificate files.
- Generate a CSR (Certificate Signing Request): Log into your hosting control panel and navigate to the SSL/TLS section. Generate a CSR, which will include your domain name, company details, and public key. The CA will use this to issue your SSL certificate.
- Install the SSL certificate on your server: Once issued, you will receive the SSL certificate files from the CA, including the server certificate, intermediate certificates, and the private key. Go back to your hosting control panel and upload the certificate files provided by the CA or follow the instructions provided by your hosting provider. This usually involves pasting the certificate into a designated field or uploading a file.
- Configure WooCommerce to use HTTPS: Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Advanced and ensure that Force secure checkout is enabled. This ensures that all checkout pages are served over HTTPS.
- Update your WordPress .htaccess file: Add rules to your .htaccess file to force all traffic to HTTPS. This can usually be done by adding the following lines:
RewriteEngine OnRewriteCond %{HTTPS} offRewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]
- If you’re using an NGINX server instead of an Apache, review the server configuration to ensure correct redirect rules. Incorrect settings can lead to redirect loops.
- Verify installation: Use tools like SSL Labs’ SSL Test and Why No Padlock to check your installation and ensure everything is configured correctly. Verify that all pages on your site are served over HTTPS and that there are no mixed content issues.
Understanding the WooCommerce force SSL function
Once the Force SSL function is enabled, WooCommerce will automatically redirect any attempts to access the specified secure pages (such as checkout and account pages) via a non-secure HTTP connection to a secure HTTPS connection. This ensures that all sensitive data entered on these pages is encrypted and protected.
While forcing SSL on specific pages is crucial, it’s also a good practice to enforce SSL across your entire site. This provides comprehensive protection for all data exchanges, not just those on checkout or account pages. Make sure to update the WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) in Settings > General to include https://.
Troubleshooting common WooCommerce SSL errors
Too many redirects error
This error often occurs when your website is not correctly configured to operate over HTTPS. It results in a loop where the server continually redirects from HTTP to HTTPS, causing the browser to stop the process to prevent an infinite loop.
Solution
Update the WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) as mentioned in the previous section. From your WordPress admin panel, go to Settings > General and update the WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) to include https:// instead of http://.
SSL certificate not trusted
This error occurs when the SSL certificate installed is not issued by a trusted CA. It can also happen if the certificate has expired or was set up incorrectly.
Solution
Use online tools like SSL Labs’ SSL Test to check your certificate’s status and installation. Additionally, if your certificate has expired, renew it. If the installation is incorrect, reinstall the certificate, ensuring all steps are followed. Check that your certificate chain is complete, including intermediate certificates.
SSL handshake failed
This error indicates that the SSL/TLS handshake process failed when a user tried to securely connect to your server. This could be due to a server misconfiguration or an unsupported SSL/TLS version.
Solution
Ensure your server’s SSL/TLS settings are up to date and compatible with modern browsers. If you’re unsure how to check or update these settings, contact your hosting provider for assistance. They can help ensure your server is configured correctly. Also, ensure that your server’s OpenSSL is updated to the latest version, as outdated versions can cause handshake failures.
Secure your WooCommerce store with Codeable experts
Securing your WooCommerce store with SSL certificates is essential for protecting your customers’ data and building trust. However, the process can be complex and time-consuming, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the technical aspects.
This is where Codeable comes in – a platform that connects WordPress and WooCommerce store owners with vetted experts to help with various tasks and projects. When you post a project on Codeable, it is matched with our professionals who have been thoroughly vetted to ensure they have the skills and experience necessary to deliver high-quality work. This matching process ensures successful project execution and provides you with peace of mind knowing that your project is in capable hands.
With their extensive knowledge and experience in WordPress and WooCommerce, our professionals at Codeable can provide reliable, professional assistance to ensure your store is securely encrypted, such as:
- Choosing the right SSL certificate: They can help you select the most suitable SSL certificate for your WooCommerce store, whether it’s a free, paid, EV, wildcard, or multi-domain SSL certificate.
- Proper installation: Codeable professionals will ensure your SSL certificate is installed correctly on your WooCommerce site, preventing common issues like mixed content errors or redirect loops.
- Ensuring proper encryption and security: After installation, Codeable experts will verify that your site is properly encrypted and secure, providing a safe shopping experience for your customers.
- Troubleshooting SSL-related issues: Even after installation, SSL-related issues can sometimes arise. Codeable experts are equipped to troubleshoot and resolve any problems quickly, ensuring that your WooCommerce store remains secure and trustworthy. They can address issues such as SSL handshake failures, certificate errors, and more, giving you peace of mind.
So, don’t let technical challenges stand in the way of securing your WooCommerce store. Let Codeable experts handle all your SSL needs. Submit your task on Codeable today and ensure your WooCommerce store is secure and trusted by your customers!
