HTTPS stands for hypertext transfer protocol secure which is nothing but an extension of HTTP but with an issued SSL certificate which ensures secure transfer of data over devices by encryption the data.
Every website which is without an SSL certificate is considered as unsafe. So, no user wants to operate or download any data from insecure site. So, it’s basically lowering your market value.
Why do you need HTTPS?
So, before I dive into methods of redirecting your site to HTTPS , let’s see why it is important to have an SSL certificate for your website.
- Well, for starters to ensure the security of your site. By far it is the most important issue which is addressed by SSL because they use algorithmic encryption method to enable the safe transfer of data between two nodes.
- Now, google took an incentive on July 24th 2018 according to which all non-https site would be declared insecure to access. So, it gives us all the more reasons to redirect our website to HTTPS.
- Trust and credibility: Now user will only download data from your site if it’s given a green light from the chromes side. So,SSL ensure users that your site is safe to use.
- Thus, you can say that it helps in hiking up your business by increasing the number of downloads on your sites.
- Google ranking. As secure site is usually SEO and given a good google ranking which increases the quality score of your website.
- Google labels HTTP sites as insecure connections.
- HTTPS load faster than HTTP.
Method to redirect HTTP to HTTPS.
I will provide a basic method of installing an SSL certificate on your website which do not require much of an expertise.
So, all you have to do is follow the given steps:
- In your dashboard find the option of plugins and click on “add new”.
- Now there would be options of installing certain SSL, you can choose any or say let’s go for” really simple SSL”.
- click on install now.
- Activate SSL.
- install security certificate.
- Re-login into your secure account
- This step would redirect the HTTPS through htaccess file.
Now, if you want a host company to install a SSL certificate on your website then that procedure is a bit time consuming.
So let’s see how that is done.
Step#1: Buy an SSL certificate.
Now, usually you get an SSL certificate pre-installed in your system with the host package. But if that’s not the case and you are thinking of buying an SSL certificate from your host or third party then make sure you do your homework.
There are three types of certificates which are issued:
- Domain validation: This is the least secure certificate which is issued and therefore should not be used for commercial purposes. They require no organisation information. They are easily issued and cheapest. So, if you want a certificate from personal website then you can opt for this one. Otherwise I would advise you against it.
- Organisation validation: This type of extricate is issued by an authenticated host company with proper record maintained in business directory. They are highly trusted and require all the legitimate information to validate the certificate. A proper trust is maintained between host and client before the client is given a certificate of validation.
- Extended validation: This is the extended version of organisation validation but benefits of increased trust relationships.
These certificates are used by high business organisation to increase their revenues. They it provides more credibility to the client than any other certificate available in the market.
Step#2 activation of SSL certificate
Now, the hosting company would provide you a private key or CSR code for the activation or your SSL certificate. So, go to your cPanel where you would find an option of SSL manager.
You would be asked to fill out important credentials.
Fill your CSR code to generate your certificate.
Your certificate will be emailed to your mail.
Step#3 redirecting URL to https
Now, when your certificate is activated all you need to do is made changes in your URLs.
For this follow the steps which reads:
- Go to the settings
- Choose option of general settings.
- there you will see the option of Website URL and site address. Now, change the HTTP to https and save the changes.
Now, to make these changes permanent you would require plugins.
- Open the options tool.
- Click on search and replace option.
- Now, enter your existing link and in replace option enter your updated link.
- Save the changes in your database.
- Refresh the page.
Now, the changes have been made so the next time if anyone tries to operate your site it would flash the security sign.
Step#4 Make changes in your htaccess files.
So, if you have any doubts after redirecting your links, then to get double surety you can always perform an additional step.
So, here I would be mentioning about making changes in the htaccess file.
For that you need to follow these simple steps:
- Open your cPanel.
- Go to file manager.
- Enable the option of “show hidden files”.
- Now, open the file and in the dialog box paste the required code and in the command option write your updates https link.
- Save the changes and you are good to go.
HTTP TO HTTPS Redirection
#Redirection code starts
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]#Redirection code Ends
Non www to www redirection
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} !^www\.
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http://www.%{HTTP_HOST}/$1 [R=301,L]
Conclusion
Now, you have got the gist of the story. So you need to follow the above steps to ensure the safety of your site. You can perform this either on your own or take help from your hosting company.
By now you know the deal why it is important to have HTTPS link on your Website. So, make your website SSL protected.
