WordPress Cloudflare SSL Installation: Step-by-Step Guide

Using an SSL certificate is essential for creating a secure website, protecting user data, and improving your SEO performance. By installing an SSL certificate via Cloudflare for your WordPress site, you can simplify and speed up this process. In this guide, we will walk you through all the steps, from linking your WordPress and Cloudflare accounts to testing the SSL installation.

Linking Your WordPress and Cloudflare Accounts

The first step is to connect your WordPress site to your Cloudflare account. To do this, you first need to create a Cloudflare account. After setting up your account, follow these steps:

• Log in to your Cloudflare account and click on the "Add a Site" button.
• Enter your WordPress site's domain name and click on the "Begin Scan" button.
• Once the scan is complete, review your existing DNS records and ensure they are correct.
• Cloudflare will automatically create the recommended DNS settings for your site. Confirm these settings and continue.
• In the final step, update your domain's DNS settings by using the new nameservers provided by Cloudflare. You can do this from the platform where your domain is registered.

Creating an SSL Certificate on Cloudflare

After adding your site to Cloudflare, you will need to configure the SSL certificate settings. These steps are necessary to enable the SSL certificate that will secure your site:

• Log in to your Cloudflare panel and click on the SSL/TLS tab.
• Ensure that the SSL setting is set to "Full" or "Full (Strict)." These options ensure your site uses an entirely encrypted connection.
• Go to the "Edge Certificates" section and enable the "Always Use HTTPS" option. This will automatically redirect all HTTP requests to HTTPS.

Configuring Cloudflare DNS Settings

Properly configuring your DNS settings is crucial for ensuring your site works correctly through Cloudflare. Follow these steps to configure your DNS settings:

• Go to the "DNS" tab in your Cloudflare panel.
• Here, you will see all of your DNS records. Ensure that your A record and other essential records are proxied through Cloudflare. This will be indicated by an orange cloud icon.
• If necessary, add or correct any missing or incorrect DNS records.

Updating WordPress SSL Settings

After creating the SSL certificate on Cloudflare and configuring your DNS settings, you need to update your WordPress site's SSL settings. This ensures your site recognizes the SSL certificate:

• Log in to your WordPress admin panel.
• Go to "Settings" > "General."
• Ensure that both the Site URL and WordPress URL begin with "https://."
• Save the changes and exit.

Additionally, you can use a plugin like "Really Simple SSL" to redirect all old HTTP links to HTTPS on your WordPress site.

Post-SSL Installation Check and Testing

After completing the SSL installation, you should perform some checks to ensure everything is working correctly:

• Visit your site in a browser and check if there is a padlock icon in the address bar. This indicates a secure connection.
• Use an online SSL checker tool (e.g., SSL Labs) to test your site's SSL configuration.
• Ensure that all pages of your site are using the HTTPS protocol.
• Promote HTTPS in SEO tools like Google Search Console and resubmit your sitemap.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Cloudflare offer free SSL?

Yes, Cloudflare offers a free SSL certificate. This is sufficient for many small to medium-sized websites.

What is the Full (Strict) SSL setting?

The Full (Strict) SSL setting ensures full encryption between Cloudflare and your web server and verifies the validity of the SSL certificate. This is the most secure SSL configuration.

Why can't I access my site after Cloudflare SSL installation?

If you're experiencing access issues, make sure your DNS settings are correct and double-check your SSL settings. Also, try clearing your browser cache.

Will switching to HTTPS affect my SEO on WordPress?

Yes, switching from HTTP to HTTPS can positively impact your SEO performance. Google gives preference to sites using HTTPS, considering them more secure.