How to switch to HTTPS in WordPress

Today, ensuring data security has risen to the top of priorities. Although most websites have already adopted the HTTPS protocol, some still remain stuck in the past. Aware of this, we’re here to provide a detailed guide that will help you make the essential leap to HTTPS. This step won’t just strengthen your website’s security—it also has the potential to boost your search engine rankings, improving your visibility and online presence.

What is HTTPS and why is it important?

Web security

When you visit a website, you exchange information with it. If the website uses HTTP, this information is transmitted in “plain text,” meaning it isn’t encrypted. This is where HTTPS comes into play, ensuring the security of the data being transmitted.

SEO and HTTPS

Switching to HTTPS doesn’t only provide security benefits. Google has confirmed that HTTPS is a ranking factor for websites. In other words, having HTTPS can help your site rank better in search results.

The differences between HTTP and HTTPS

The HTTP Protocol

HTTP stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol. It’s the foundation of any data exchange on the Web and an application-level protocol for transmitting hypermedia documents like HTML.

The HTTPS Protocol

HTTPS stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure. It’s the secure version of HTTP. The “S” at the end of HTTPS means “Secure.” This means all communication between your browser and the website is encrypted.

If my site is on HTTP, am I required to migrate to HTTPS?

Yes, it’s strongly recommended to have your website on HTTPS. Here are the reasons:

1. Security: HTTPS encrypts the information sent between the visitor’s browser and the web server, protecting the transmission of sensitive data such as passwords, credit card information, and personal data.
2. Trust: Browsers display a padlock icon in the address bar for HTTPS sites, signaling to visitors that the site is secure and the information they share is protected.
3. SEO: Google has confirmed that it uses HTTPS as a ranking signal in its search algorithm. While the impact on search rankings may not be as strong as other SEO factors, any advantage helps in a competitive environment.
4. Compatibility: Some modern features and APIs (for example, HTTP/2 for faster performance) are only available—or work better—when your site uses HTTPS.
5. Regulatory compliance: Depending on the data privacy laws and regulations in your country or region, you may be required to use HTTPS to protect users’ personal information.

How to migrate your WordPress from HTTP to HTTPS

1. Obtain an SSL certificate: To use HTTPS, you’ll need an SSL certificate. Some hosting providers offer free SSL certificates, but you can also get one from organizations like Let’s Encrypt, Comodo, Symantec, and others.
2. Install and activate the SSL certificate: After obtaining your SSL certificate, you need to install it on your web server. This can vary depending on your hosting provider, so it may be helpful to look for specific instructions or contact your host’s technical support.
3. Configure WordPress to use HTTPS: Once your SSL certificate is installed, go to your WordPress dashboard. In the left menu, click “Settings” and then “General.” In the “WordPress Address (URL)” and “Site Address (URL)” fields, replace “http” with “https.” Then click “Save Changes.”
4. Set up HTTP to HTTPS redirects: To ensure all traffic to your site uses HTTPS, you must configure redirects. This can be done through your site’s .htaccess file. To do this, you’ll need to access your site files via an FTP client like FileZilla. Once in the .htaccess file, add the following lines of code:

<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]
</IfModule>


• Fix internal links: Some of your internal links may still use HTTP. You can use a plugin like “Better Search Replace” to find all HTTP links and replace them with HTTPS.
• Update Google Search Console and Google Analytics: Don’t forget to notify Google about the switch to HTTPS by adding your new URL to Google Search Console and updating the default URL in Google Analytics.
• Verify everything is working correctly: Finally, check your site to make sure everything works properly. You can do this using SSL Labs’ free tool: https://www.ssllabs.com/ssltest/

Plugins to keep your site always on HTTPS

These plugins simplify and automate various aspects of the migration from HTTP to HTTPS, which can save you time and effort. Here’s what each one can do for you:

1. 1. Really Simple SSL: This plugin does most of the work for you. It detects your configuration and adjusts your website to run over HTTPS. It handles redirects and fixes mixed content issues, ensuring all your site’s resources load over HTTPS.
   2. SSL Zen: In addition to helping you switch to HTTPS, SSL Zen can also generate a free SSL certificate for you. This can be especially useful if your hosting provider doesn’t offer free SSL certificates. However, you’ll need to manually renew the certificate every 90 days.
   3. Easy HTTPS Redirection: This plugin automatically redirects all HTTP requests on your website to HTTPS. This means that if someone tries to access your site via an HTTP link, they’ll be automatically redirected to the HTTPS version of your site.
   4. WP Force SSL: This plugin redirects all HTTP traffic to HTTPS without requiring you to edit the .htaccess file. This can be helpful if you prefer not to deal with editing server configuration files.

Solving common issues after migration

Mixed content

One of the most common problems after switching to HTTPS is mixed content. This happens when your HTTPS site tries to load resources (images, scripts, etc.) over HTTP.

Redirects and URL updates

Incorrect redirects and URL updates can cause issues after the migration. There are plugins available that can help you update all the URLs on your site to HTTPS.

Conclusion

Migrating your WordPress from HTTP to HTTPS is an important step to improve your website’s security and SEO performance. Although some issues may appear after the migration, these can usually be resolved with a bit of patience and the right tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I do the migration myself?

Yes, you can do it yourself by following the steps mentioned in this article.

Is the SSL certificate free?

Some providers offer free SSL certificates, while others charge for them.

How do I fix mixed content issues?

There are plugins available that can help you resolve mixed content issues.

How can I verify that my site is working correctly over HTTPS?

You can use various online tools to check your SSL configuration and look for potential issues.