Having a secure website isn’t just a luxury – it’s a necessity.

If you’re running a WordPress site on InfinityFree, you’re in luck.

You can get a free SSL certificate to protect your site and boost your SEO.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the process of getting a Free SSL Certificate for WordPress in InfinityFree.

What You’ll Need

Before we jump into the nitty-gritty, let’s make sure you have everything ready:

An InfinityFree hosting account
A domain name set up on your account
Access to your domain’s DNS settings

If you’re using a free subdomain provided by InfinityFree, you’re already good to go on the DNS front.

But if you’re using your own domain, make sure you’re using InfinityFree’s nameservers for the smoothest experience.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Get a Free SSL Certificate for WordPress in InfinityFree

Step 1: Set Up Your Domain on InfinityFree

First things first, we need to ensure your domain is properly set up on your InfinityFree account.

If you created a new hosting account, you’ve likely already done this.

But if you need to add or modify domains, here’s what to do:

Log into your InfinityFree control panel
Navigate to the “Subdomains, Addon Domains and Parked Domains” section
Add or modify your domain as needed

Remember, this guide assumes you’re using InfinityFree’s nameservers.

If you’re not, consider switching to them for the easiest setup process.

Step 2: Add Your Domain to the Free SSL Certificates Tool

Now that your domain is set up, it’s time to request your SSL certificate.

Here’s how:

Login to the InfinityFree client area at https://dash.infinityfree.com
Go to the “Free SSL Certificates” page
Click “New SSL Certificate”
Enter your domain name in the field provided

Important note: Don’t include “www” or “http://” in your domain name.

The certificate will cover both your base domain and the www subdomain automatically.

Click “Create Order”

Step 3: Set Up CNAME Records

To prove you own the domain, you’ll need to set up some CNAME records.

If you’re using InfinityFree’s nameservers, this is a breeze:

Look for the “Setup CNAME Records Automatically” button on the certificate Verify page
Click it to install the records automatically

If you’re using third-party nameservers, you’ll need to add these records manually.

Check out InfinityFree’s guide on creating CNAME records for detailed instructions.

Pro tip: Be patient! DNS changes can take a few hours to propagate.

Don’t panic if the checks don’t pass immediately.

Step 4: Install the SSL Certificate

Once your certificate is issued, it’s time to install it on your hosting account.

InfinityFree offers two methods:

Automatic installation:

Look for the “Install Certificate” button on the SSL certificate page
Click it to let InfinityFree handle the installation for you

Manual installation:

Copy the Private Key and Certificate from the SSL certificate page
Go to the SSL/TLS section in your control panel
Paste the Private Key and Certificate in that order

For most users, the automatic method is the way to go.

It’s quick, easy, and less prone to errors.

Step 5: Verify HTTPS Functionality

Time to see if our hard work paid off!

Open a new browser tab and enter “https://” followed by your domain name.

If you don’t see any SSL-related error messages, congratulations!

Your certificate is installed and working.

Don’t worry if you see mixed content warnings or get redirected to HTTP – we’ll fix that in the next step.

Step 6: Configure WordPress to Use HTTPS

Now that we have SSL up and running, we need to tell WordPress to use it.

Here’s how:

Log into your WordPress admin area
Go to Settings > General
Update your WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) to use “https://”
Save your changes

Next, we need to set up a redirect to ensure all traffic uses HTTPS:

Access your site’s root directory via FTP or file manager
Open the .htaccess file (create it if it doesn’t exist)
Add the following code at the top:

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

Save the file

If you’re not comfortable editing files directly, the Really Simple SSL plugin can handle this for you.

Just install and activate it, and it’ll take care of the technical details.

Tips for Success

Implementing SSL can be tricky, but these tips will help smooth the process:

Choose the right domain format: When entering your domain in the SSL tool, use the base domain (e.g., example.com) without www or http://. This ensures your certificate covers both versions.
Be patient with DNS: DNS changes can take up to 24 hours to fully propagate. If your CNAME records aren’t verifying immediately, wait a bit and try again.
Back up before you begin: Always create a full backup of your WordPress site before making significant changes. This gives you a safety net if anything goes wrong.
Use a staging environment: If possible, test the SSL implementation on a staging site first. This lets you work out any kinks without affecting your live site.
Keep your CNAME records: Some SSL providers allow you to reuse CNAME records for renewals. Keeping them in place can streamline future certificate issuances.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even seasoned webmasters can stumble when setting up SSL.

Here are some pitfalls to watch out for:

Incorrect domain entry: Double-check your domain name when requesting the SSL certificate. A small typo here can lead to big headaches later.
Removing CNAME records too soon: Keep those CNAME records in place until your certificate is fully issued. Removing them prematurely can cause the validation process to fail.
Forgetting internal links: After switching to HTTPS, don’t forget to update internal links in your content, menus, and widgets. Mixed content warnings often stem from overlooked HTTP links.
Neglecting to update external services: If you use external services like Google Analytics or social media sharing buttons, make sure to update your site’s URL in their settings.
Ignoring redirect loops: If you’ve previously set up HTTP to HTTPS redirects, check that they’re not creating loops with your new SSL configuration.

Troubleshooting

Even with careful planning, you might encounter some hiccups.

Here’s how to tackle common issues:

SSL certificate not issuing:

Double-check your CNAME records are set up correctly
Ensure you haven’t removed the CNAME records prematurely
Wait at least 24 hours for DNS propagation before panicking

Mixed content warnings:

Use a tool like Why No Padlock to identify HTTP resources
Update hardcoded HTTP URLs in your theme and plugins
Consider using a plugin like Really Simple SSL to fix mixed content automatically

Redirect loops:

Check for conflicting redirect rules in your .htaccess file
Ensure your WordPress Address and Site Address are both using HTTPS
Temporarily disable SSL-related plugins to isolate the issue

Plugin compatibility issues:

Update all plugins to their latest versions
Reach out to plugin developers if you encounter SSL-specific problems
Consider finding alternative plugins if issues persist

Remember, patience is key when troubleshooting SSL issues.

Many problems resolve themselves as DNS changes propagate and caches clear.

Conclusion

Congratulations!

You now know how to Get a Free SSL Certificate for WordPress in InfinityFree.

By following these steps, you’ve not only secured your site but also potentially boosted its search engine rankings.

Remember, an SSL certificate isn’t just a one-time thing.

Keep an eye on your certificate’s expiration date and renew it promptly to ensure continuous protection.

With InfinityFree’s free SSL offering, there’s no excuse not to encrypt your WordPress site.

So go ahead, implement that green padlock, and give your visitors the security they deserve!

FAQ

How long does it take to get a free SSL certificate from InfinityFree?
The process typically takes a few hours, mainly due to DNS propagation times. In some cases, it can take up to 24 hours.

Will switching to HTTPS affect my SEO?
Generally, switching to HTTPS has a positive impact on SEO. Google has stated that HTTPS is a ranking factor, albeit a minor one.

Can I use the free SSL certificate with a custom domain?
Yes, you can use InfinityFree’s free SSL certificates with both free subdomains and custom domains hosted on their platform.

How often do I need to renew my SSL certificate?
InfinityFree’s free SSL certificates typically need to be renewed every 90 days. However, this process can often be automated.

What should I do if my WordPress site shows mixed content warnings after installing SSL?
Mixed content warnings usually occur when your site is still loading some resources over HTTP. Use a plugin like Really Simple SSL or manually update your content to use HTTPS URLs to resolve this issue.

How to Get a Free SSL Certificate for WordPress in InfinityFree