An SSL certificate helps secure the connection between a visitor’s browser and your website. When SSL is working, the website loads over https:// and browsers show it as a secure connection.
SSL is especially important if your website has forms, logins, checkout pages or anywhere visitors enter personal information. It helps stop information being read while it travels between the visitor and the server.
Most modern websites should use SSL, even simple brochure sites. Visitors expect to see a secure connection and browsers are much more obvious now when a page is not using HTTPS.
On many hosting accounts, SSL can be issued automatically. In cPanel this is usually handled through AutoSSL, which checks the domains on the account and installs certificates where the DNS is pointing correctly.
For SSL to work properly:
- The domain must point to the hosting account.
- The certificate must be valid and installed.
- The website should load using
https://. - Images, scripts and styles should also load over HTTPS to avoid mixed content warnings.
If your website still shows as not secure after SSL has been installed, the certificate may not have issued yet, the domain may not be pointing correctly or the site may still be loading some content over http://.
If you are not sure whether SSL is working on your website, please contact support and we can check it for you.