Securing your website with an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is crucial for protecting your visitors' data and building trust. It enables HTTPS, which encrypts the communication between your website and their browsers. Online Audience, through StackCP, likely provides tools to easily install SSL certificates, including free options like Let's Encrypt.
The first step is to navigate to the "SSL/TLS" section within your StackCP control panel. This section might be located under "Security" or as a standalone option in the main menu. Click on it to access the SSL management tools.
Within the SSL/TLS section, you will likely find different options related to SSL certificates. Look for an option like "SSL/TLS Status" or "Manage SSL Certificates." This page will typically show you the current SSL status of your domains and subdomains hosted with Online Audience.
If you want to install a free SSL certificate from Let's Encrypt (which is often the recommended option for basic website security), look for a feature specifically named "Let's Encrypt SSL" or a button that says something like "Issue Let's Encrypt Certificate." Clicking on this option will usually present you with a list of your domains and subdomains. Select the domains for which you want to install the SSL certificate (it's recommended to select both yourdomain.co.uk and www.yourdomain.co.uk). Then, click an "Issue" or "Install" button. The system will then automatically request and install the Let's Encrypt certificate for your chosen domains. This process usually takes a few minutes, and you'll likely see a success message upon completion.
If you have purchased a commercial SSL certificate from a third-party provider, you will typically need to use the "SSL/TLS Manager" or a similar option within the SSL/TLS section. Here, you will find options to upload your SSL certificate files (usually a .crt file and a private key .key file), and potentially a CA bundle file. You will need to obtain these files from your SSL certificate provider. Follow the instructions within the SSL/TLS Manager to upload the files and associate them with your domain.
Once the SSL certificate is installed, it's essential to ensure that your website is properly configured to use HTTPS. This might involve updating your website's configuration files (e.g., .htaccess for Apache servers) to enforce HTTPS and update any hardcoded HTTP links within your website's content to HTTPS. Online Audience might have specific guides or tools to assist with this process.
After installation and configuration, you can verify that your SSL certificate is working correctly by visiting your website in a web browser. The address bar should show "HTTPS" instead of "HTTP," and you should see a padlock icon indicating a secure connection. You can also use online SSL checker tools to get detailed information about your certificate. Regularly check the expiration date of your SSL certificate (especially free Let's Encrypt certificates, which typically need to be renewed every 90 days; AutoSSL features often handle this automatically).
