An SSL certificate is no longer optional in 2025—it’s mandatory for security, SEO, and customer trust. If you’re running multiple subdomains like blog.example.com
, shop.example.com
, and mail.example.com
, then GoDaddy Wildcard SSL is your best option.
This guide walks you through the exact steps to install a GoDaddy Wildcard SSL certificate on various server types. Whether you’re a small business owner or a web developer, this tutorial is designed for you.
Prerequisites Before You Begin
Before installing your SSL, make sure you have:
- ✅ A valid GoDaddy Wildcard SSL certificate
- ✅ Access to your domain control panel (DNS or email)
- ✅ Access to your hosting server (cPanel, WHM, Plesk, SSH)
- ✅ Knowledge to generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR)
Requirement | Description |
---|---|
SSL Certificate | Wildcard SSL issued by GoDaddy |
Domain Access | Needed for DNS verification or email approval |
Server Access | To install and configure certificates |
Tip: If using a managed hosting service, check with support—they might install the certificate for you.
Step 1: Purchase and Activate Your GoDaddy Wildcard SSL
Go to GoDaddy.com or a certified reseller like CompareCheapSSL.com to purchase the certificate.
Activation Steps:
- Log into your GoDaddy dashboard
- Navigate to My Products > SSL Certificates
- Click “Set Up” on your Wildcard SSL
- Add your primary domain using the wildcard:
*.example.com
Note: Wildcard SSL secures all first-level subdomains under your main domain.
Step 2: Generate a CSR (Certificate Signing Request)
A CSR is a block of encoded text you generate on your server. It contains your public key and is used to request your SSL.
How to Generate CSR:
a. cPanel
- Go to SSL/TLS > Generate CSR
- Fill in your details
- Domain:
*.yourdomain.com
b. Apache (OpenSSL)
openssl req -new -newkey rsa:2048 -nodes -keyout wildcard.key -out wildcard.csr
c. IIS
- Open IIS Manager > Server Certificates > Create Certificate Request
- Fill in details > Use wildcard domain
Server Type | Method |
cPanel | Built-in tool |
Apache | OpenSSL command |
IIS | Wizard interface |
Save the
.csr
and.key
files safely. You’ll need them during installation.
Step 3: Submit CSR to GoDaddy
Once CSR is generated:
- Go to your GoDaddy dashboard
- Paste the CSR in the activation form
- Select your server type (Apache, NGINX, IIS, etc.)
Domain Verification Options:
- Email: Approve via email to domain admin
- DNS: Add TXT record (recommended for wildcard domains)
- HTML File: Upload file to root directory
Method | Suitable For | Speed |
Static or shared hosting | Fast | |
DNS TXT | Wildcard/Multiple servers | Recommended |
HTML File | Full server control | Moderate |
Step 4: Download and Extract SSL Files
Once approved, GoDaddy will issue your SSL certificate. Download the zipped bundle containing:
yourdomain.crt
– Primary certificategd_bundle.crt
– Intermediate certificateswildcard.key
– Private key (you generated this earlier)
Always use the correct intermediate certificate to ensure trust across browsers.
Step 5: Install SSL on Your Server
a. Install on cPanel
- Navigate to SSL/TLS > Manage SSL Sites
- Upload
.crt
,.key
, and CA bundle - Click Install Certificate
b. Install on Apache (Ubuntu/Debian)
SSLEngine on
SSLCertificateFile /etc/ssl/certs/yourdomain.crt
SSLCertificateKeyFile /etc/ssl/private/wildcard.key
SSLCertificateChainFile /etc/ssl/certs/gd_bundle.crt
- Restart Apache:
sudo systemctl restart apache2
c. Install on NGINX
ssl_certificate /etc/ssl/certs/fullchain.pem;
ssl_certificate_key /etc/ssl/private/wildcard.key;
- Reload config:
sudo nginx -s reload
d. Install on IIS
- Import certificate in IIS Manager
- Assign it to your domain under Bindings > HTTPS
Ensure that firewall and ports (443) are open.
Step 6: Force HTTPS Across All Subdomains
To redirect all traffic to HTTPS:
Apache (.htaccess)
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]
NGINX
return 301 https://$host$request_uri;
Many managed hosts offer one-click HTTPS redirection.
Step 7: Test Your SSL Installation
Use the following tools to check your installation:
Tool | URL |
SSL Labs | https://www.ssllabs.com/ssltest |
WhyNoPadlock | https://www.whynopadlock.com |
GoDaddy SSL Checker | https://www.godaddy.com/help/ssl-checker-27380 |
Checklist:
- Padlock icon visible
- No mixed content warnings
- Valid certificate chain
- HTTPS loads across subdomains
Common Errors & Fixes
Error | Cause | Fix |
Incomplete Chain | Missing CA bundle | Install gd_bundle.crt correctly |
No Padlock | Mixed content | Use HTTPS for all resources |
Wrong Domain | CSR mismatch | Reissue certificate with correct domain |
Renewing or Reissuing Your SSL
- Go to GoDaddy > SSL > Manage Certificate
- Reissue if server changes or key is lost
- Renewal reminders start 30 days before expiry
Best practice: Set calendar alerts and renew early to avoid downtime.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Can I use the same Wildcard SSL on multiple servers?
Yes, but you’ll need to export the .crt
and .key
files to each server.
Q2. What if I add a new subdomain later?
No problem—Wildcard SSL automatically covers all first-level subdomains.
Q3. Do I need to reinstall the certificate for new subdomains?
No, but you may need to configure the new subdomain to support HTTPS.
Q4. Does GoDaddy provide support for installation?
Yes, 24/7 live chat and phone support is available in the U.S.
Final Thoughts
Installing a GoDaddy Wildcard SSL doesn’t have to be complicated. This guide has covered every major step, from purchase to HTTPS redirection.
Task | Status |
Buy SSL | ✅ |
Generate CSR | ✅ |
Submit to GoDaddy | ✅ |
Install on Server | ✅ |
Test + Redirect HTTPS | ✅ |
Now your website—and all its subdomains—are secured, trusted, and SEO-ready.
📅 Bookmark this guide for future renewals, and explore CompareCheapSSL.com for discounts on your next SSL purchase.