Ever noticed your website saying “Not Secure” and wondered how to fix it? For anyone with a Bluehost site, setting up an SSL certificate is a crucial step in protecting your visitors and building trust.
Knowing how to activate SSL not only boosts your site’s safety, but also improves search rankings and customer confidence. In this article, you’ll find simple steps and helpful tips for getting your SSL certificate up and running with Bluehost—no tech expertise needed.
Understanding Bluehost SSL Certificates
If you’re running a website, security should be a top priority—especially in today’s digital landscape. An SSL certificate is one of the simplest and most essential ways to protect your website and its visitors. Bluehost, as a leading web hosting provider, makes it easy for users to secure their sites with SSL. Whether you’re using WordPress or another platform, you can quickly set up SSL on Bluehost.
Let’s break down what an SSL certificate is, why you need one, and how you can activate and manage SSL certificates through your Bluehost hosting account.
What Is an SSL Certificate?
SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer. It’s a security protocol that encrypts data transferred between a website and its visitors. You can always spot a secured website by the padlock icon and the “https://” prefix in the browser’s address bar. This encryption keeps sensitive information, like login credentials and payment details, safe from hackers.
Why Should You Have an SSL Certificate on Your Website?
SSL certificates offer several benefits that go beyond just security:
- Trust and Credibility: Visitors are more likely to trust and interact with your site if they see it’s secure.
- SEO Rankings: Search engines like Google favor secure websites, giving them a ranking boost.
- Data Protection: SSL encrypts the information sent between your site and its users, protecting against data theft.
- Compliance: Many regulations (like GDPR) require you to secure user data, and SSL helps you stay compliant.
- Browser Warnings: Sites without SSL often display warnings that can drive visitors away.
If you’re on Bluehost, the good news is that SSL is easy to set up—often available for free with most hosting plans.
How to Activate an SSL Certificate on Bluehost
Setting up SSL on your Bluehost-hosted website doesn’t require advanced technical skills. Bluehost provides an automatic SSL option for its customers, especially if you use shared or WordPress hosting.
Step-by-Step Guide to Activating Your Free SSL Certificate
Most Bluehost plans (including shared and WordPress hosting) come with a free SSL certificate. Here’s how you can activate it:
1. Log In to Your Bluehost Account
- Go to the Bluehost website.
- Enter your account login credentials.
2. Access the Security Settings
- Once logged in, find your hosting dashboard.
- Navigate to the “My Sites” section.
- Select the website domain you want to secure.
3. Enable SSL
- Go to the “Security” tab for your site.
- Look for the “SSL Certificate” or “Free SSL” option.
- Switch the toggle or click the button to enable SSL.
4. Wait for Propagation
- After you enable it, Bluehost will automatically install the SSL certificate.
- This process can take anywhere from a few minutes up to 24 hours.
5. Confirm SSL Activation
- Once activated, visit your website.
- Check that the web address starts with “https://” and shows a padlock icon.
6. Update Your Site Links
- If you had an existing website running on “http://”, update all internal links and media to “https://”.
- This step helps avoid mixed content warnings and ensures a fully secure experience.
7. Redirect HTTP to HTTPS (Optional, But Recommended)
- To ensure all visitors use the secure version of your site, set up a redirect from “http://” to “https://”.
- Many plugins (for WordPress sites) or simple code snippets in the .htaccess file can accomplish this.
Manual SSL Setup (For Advanced Users)
If you have VPS, dedicated hosting, or if you want a premium SSL certificate, you may need to install SSL manually. Typically, this involves:
- Purchasing the SSL certificate (from Bluehost or a third-party provider).
- Generating a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) in your hosting dashboard.
- Sending the CSR to your SSL provider.
- Receiving and installing the SSL certificate files via your hosting control panel.
This process is straightforward in Bluehost’s cPanel interface, but it’s best for users who need custom security features or higher validation levels.
Key Benefits of Using Bluehost’s SSL Solution
Choosing Bluehost for SSL has multiple advantages:
- Seamless Integration: Most plans include auto-installation of SSL, so no technical setup is required.
- Automatic Renewal: Bluehost’s free SSL certificates often renew themselves, saving you the hassle.
- Single Dashboard Management: SSL status and management are available inside your Bluehost dashboard.
- Compatibility: Bluehost’s SSL works for both primary and add-on domains.
- No Extra Cost (With Most Plans): Free basic SSL is bundled with most hosting packages.
For users who require more advanced certificates (like EV or Wildcard SSL), Bluehost offers paid upgrades.
Common Challenges and Solutions
Even though setting up SSL on Bluehost is easy, you might encounter a few hiccups:
1. SSL Not Showing as Active
- Propagation Time: It can take up to 24 hours for the SSL certificate to activate.
- DNS Issues: If you’ve recently updated nameservers or DNS records, propagation may delay SSL installation.
- Addon Domains: For addon or parked domains, you may need to manually enable SSL from your dashboard.
2. Mixed Content Warnings
Sometimes, browsers warn about “mixed content” if parts of your site (like images or scripts) still load over “http://”.
Solution:
– Update all internal resources, links, and scripts to “https://”.
– Use a plugin like “Really Simple SSL” (for WordPress sites) to fix these automatically.
3. Site Not Redirecting to HTTPS
If your site doesn’t automatically redirect to the secure version:
- Set up a redirect in the .htaccess file or use a dedicated plugin.
- Ensure all caching and security plugins are updated to support HTTPS.
4. Custom Domains Not Covered
SSL should work for multiple domains on your account, but each domain needs its SSL certificate toggled “on” in the dashboard.
Cost Tips for SSL Certificates with Bluehost
-
Free SSL:
Almost all Bluehost shared and WordPress hosting plans come with a free, auto-renewing SSL certificate (powered by Let’s Encrypt or a similar provider). -
Premium SSL:
If you want a specialized SSL, such as Extended Validation (EV), Wildcard, or Multi-Domain certificates, you can purchase them through Bluehost. These offer extra features like warranty protection or green address bars, but come at an additional annual fee. -
Third-Party SSL:
You can buy SSL certificates elsewhere, but you’ll need to manually install them. Remember, if you’re on a basic Bluehost plan, the free option is usually sufficient and cost-effective.
Best Practices for Managing SSL in Bluehost
Follow these simple guidelines for smooth SSL management:
- Keep Everything Updated: Always keep your CMS, plugins, and themes updated. Compatibility issues can break HTTPS functionality.
- Renew Before Expiry: While free SSL auto-renews, review your email notifications for any issues.
- Check After Changes: If you move sites, update domains, or change DNS records, verify your SSL is still active.
- Backup Regularly: Secure your site data just in case you need to revert any changes after SSL activation.
- Monitor Site Health: Use free tools (like SSL checkers online) to ensure your SSL certificate is running properly.
Practical Tips and Advice
- Start with Free SSL: For most websites, the free SSL covers all basic needs.
- Consider Upgrades for E-commerce: If you run an online store or handle sensitive data, think about a premium SSL for added trust.
- Force HTTPS: Always redirect to the secure version of your site for consistency.
- Educate Your Team: If multiple people manage the site, ensure everyone understands basic security practices.
- Don’t Ignore Notifications: Bluehost may email you if there’s an SSL-related issue—act promptly.
Summary
Securing your Bluehost website with an SSL certificate is both simple and necessary. With free SSL included on most plans, you can protect your visitors’ data, improve your search rankings, and build trust—all with just a few clicks from your Bluehost dashboard. For those with advanced needs, premium SSL certificates are available, and manual installation is supported.
By taking advantage of Bluehost’s SSL solutions and following best management practices, you’ll create a safer, more reputable, and user-friendly website. Get started today, and let your visitors know their security matters to you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is SSL included for free with all Bluehost hosting plans?
Most shared and WordPress hosting plans at Bluehost offer a free SSL certificate, which is typically installed automatically. VPS and dedicated hosting plans may require manual setup or the purchase of a premium SSL.
2. How long does it take for the SSL certificate to become active?
After activation, SSL may take between a few minutes to 24 hours to fully propagate and become active on your website. Be patient and check back periodically.
3. Do I need to do anything after SSL activation?
Yes. Update all website links and media to use “https://”. Set up automatic redirection from “http://” to “https://” to ensure all users benefit from the secure connection.
4. Can I use a third-party SSL certificate with Bluehost?
Absolutely. Bluehost supports installing SSL certificates from other vendors, but you’ll need to follow a manual installation process through their control panel.
5. What should I do if my site still shows as “Not Secure” after enabling SSL?
Check for mixed content issues—make sure all resources (images, scripts) load over “https://”. Clear your browser and website cache, and double-check SSL activation in your Bluehost dashboard. If problems persist, reach out to Bluehost support for help.