How To Get an SSL Certificate on Bluehost (2024)

Getting an SSL certificate on Bluehost is a crucial step in securing your website and protecting your customers’ data.

In this blog post, we will discuss how to get an SSL certificate on Bluehost in detail.

We will cover the steps involved in activating a free SSL certificate, purchasing an SSL certificate, and installing a self-signed or third-party SSL certificate.

What types of SSL Can I Find on Bluehost?

On Bluehost, you can find three main types of SSL certificates:

Type	Validation	Features	Ideal for	Cost
Free Shared SSL	DV	Secure connection, basic site seal	Small websites, blogs, personal projects	Free
Private SSL Certificates	DV, OV, EV	Dedicated certificate, enhanced security, site seal with business info (for OV and EV)	E-commerce, business websites, sensitive data	Varies
Third-Party SSL Certificates	Any level	Depends on the certificate	Specific requirements, custom configurations	Varies

1. Free Shared SSL:

Validation: Domain Validation (DV) only verifies your right to the domain name.

Features: Secure connection with HTTPS, basic site seal.

Ideal for: Small websites, blogs, personal projects.

Cost: Free with most Bluehost hosting plans.

Limitations: Shared certificate, not ideal for sensitive data.

2. Private SSL Certificates:

Validation: Choose from Domain Validation (DV), Organization Validation (OV), and Extended Validation (EV):

DV: Same as free shared SSL.
OV: Verifies your domain and business information.
EV: Most rigorous validation, displays green address bar and organization name.

Features: Dedicated certificate for your domain, enhanced security, site seal with business information (for OV and EV).

Ideal for: E-commerce, business websites, sites handling sensitive data.

Cost: Varies depending on the validation level and certificate provider. Bluehost offers various paid SSL certificates from multiple providers.

3. Third-Party SSL Certificates:

Validation: Any level depending on the certificate you purchase.

Features: Depends on the specific certificate you choose.

Ideal for: Specific requirements not met by Bluehost’s offerings, custom configurations.

Cost: Varies depending on the certificate provider and features.

Installation: Requires manual installation through cPanel.

Remember, the best type of SSL for you depends on your specific needs and budget.

Choosing the right validation level and features will ensure your website’s security and build trust with your visitors.

Activating a Free SSL Certificate

Bluehost offers a free SSL certificate for WordPress websites. Here are the steps to activate it:

Log in to your Bluehost Account Manager.
Click the Security tab from the side navigation.
To check your website, navigate to the SSL/TLS Status section.
If your website is not secure, click the Activate button to enable the free SSL certificate.

Please note that it may take up to 24 hours for the SSL certificate to be activated. Once it is activated, your website will have the HTTPS protocol and a padlock icon in the address bar.

Does Bluehost charge for SSL?

Bluehost offers both free and paid SSL certificates. Here’s a breakdown of the different SSL certificate options and their costs:

Free SSL Certificate

As we’ve seen, Bluehost provides free SSL certificates for all assigned and parked domain names set up in your account.

In most cases, the SSL will automatically assign itself to your site.

Paid SSL Certificates

Bluehost offers various paid SSL certificates with different pricing options:

Positive SSL: $49.99 per year
Positive Wildcard SSL: $149.99 per year
Comodo SSL: $79.99 per year
Comodo Wildcard SSL: $149.99 per year
EV SSL: $295
Multi-Domain SSL: $299
Wildcard SSL: $595

To purchase a paid SSL certificate, log in to your Bluehost account, navigate to the Hosting tab in the left-side menu, click on cPanel, and open the SSL/TLS tool.

From there, you can select the desired SSL certificate and complete the purchase.

Purchasing an SSL Certificate

If you want to purchase an SSL certificate, follow these steps:

Log in to your Bluehost dashboard.
Click on Security.
Click on Buy SSL certificate in the right corner.
You’ll be able to purchase a single domain SSL certificate or a wildcard SSL certificate.
Fill out the required information and complete the purchase.

After purchasing the SSL certificate, you will receive an email with instructions on how to install it.

Installing a Self-Signed SSL Certificate

If you want to install a self-signed SSL certificate, follow these steps:

Log in to your Bluehost dashboard.
Navigate to the Hosting tab in the left-side menu.
In the Quick Links section, click on cPanel.
Open the SSL/TLS tool.
Click on Generate, view, or delete SSL certificate signing requests.
Fill out the required information and click Generate.
Click on Return to SSL Manager.
Click on Generate, view, or delete SSL certificates.
Click on Browse Certificates and select the certificate you just generated.
Click on Install.

Please note that self-signed SSL certificates are not recommended for production websites as they are not trusted by browsers.

Installing a Third-Party SSL Certificate

If you want to install a third-party SSL certificate, follow these steps:

Log in to your Bluehost dashboard.
Navigate to the Hosting tab in the left-side menu.
In the Quick Links section, click on cPanel.
Open the SSL/TLS tool.
Click on Generate, view, or delete SSL certificate signing requests.
Fill out the required information and click Generate.
Purchase an SSL certificate from a trusted certificate authority.
Upload the SSL certificate and the private key to the SSL/TLS Manager.
Click on Install.

Please note that the process of installing a third-party SSL certificate may vary depending on the certificate authority you choose.

How to troubleshoot common issues with SSL certificates on Bluehost

Is your Bluehost SSL not working?

Troubleshooting common issues with SSL certificates on Bluehost can be done by following these steps:

Update Site URL Settings

Log in to your Bluehost account, go to My Sites >> Manage Site, and select Settings. Change http to https and click the Save Updates button.

Add 301 HTTPS Redirect

Set up a 301 redirect so that your domain name automatically goes from all variations (www, non-www, and HTTP to HTTPS).

Enable HTTPS

Make sure you use HTTPS for your website. You can do this by adding the following code to your .htaccess file: RewriteEngine On RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301].

Reinstall the SSL Certificate

If the SSL certificate is not working properly, try reinstalling it. You can do this by accessing the SSL/TLS Manager tool, navigating to the Hosting tab in the left-side menu, clicking on cPanel, and opening the SSL/TLS tool.

Clear the Browser’s Cache and SSL Cache

Clearing the browser’s cache and SSL cache can help resolve issues with SSL certificates. You can do this by going to your browser’s settings and clearing the cache and SSL cache.

Check the SSL Certificate

Make sure the SSL certificate is installed and working properly. You can check this by visiting your website and looking for the padlock icon in the address bar.

Contact Bluehost Support

If you are still experiencing issues, consider contacting Bluehost support for assistance. They can help you troubleshoot the problem and provide a solution.

By following these steps, you can troubleshoot common issues with SSL certificates on Bluehost and ensure that your website is secure and functioning properly.

Bluehost SSL certificate Expired? Here’s What To Do

If your SSL certificate on Bluehost has expired, you will need to renew or install a new SSL certificate to ensure that your website remains secure.

The process for installing or renewing an SSL certificate on Bluehost involves the following steps:

Renew or Purchase a New SSL Certificate: If your SSL certificate has expired, you can either renew it or purchase a new one. Bluehost offers a variety of SSL certificate options, including both free and paid certificates.
Install the SSL Certificate: Once you have renewed or purchased a new SSL certificate, you will need to install it on your Bluehost account. The specific steps for installing an SSL certificate may vary depending on the type of certificate and your hosting setup. You can access the SSL/TLS Manager tool in your Bluehost account to install the SSL certificate.
Update Site URL Settings: After installing the new SSL certificate, it’s important to update your site’s URL settings to ensure that it is using the HTTPS protocol. This can typically be done through your website’s content management system (CMS) or by directly editing the site’s configuration files.
Check for Errors: Once the new SSL certificate is installed, it’s recommended to thoroughly check your website for any SSL-related errors. This includes ensuring that all pages are loading securely over HTTPS and that there are no mixed content warnings.

These steps can address an expired SSL certificate on Bluehost and ensure that your website remains secure and accessible over HTTPS.

If you encounter any difficulties during this process, you may also consider reaching out to Bluehost’s support team for assistance.

Wrap!

Getting an SSL certificate on Bluehost is a straightforward process.

You can activate a free SSL certificate, purchase an SSL certificate, or install a self-signed or third-party SSL certificate.

The steps outlined in this blog post can secure your website and protect your customers’ data.