Let's Encrypt SSL Certificate on GoDaddy Web Hosting

 

How to Install a Let's Encrypt SSL Certificate on GoDaddy Web Hosting

Securing your website with an SSL certificate is crucial for protecting your users' data and improving your site's credibility. Let’s Encrypt offers a free SSL certificate that is valid for 90 days and is widely used for this purpose. In this tutorial, we'll walk you through the process of installing a Let's Encrypt SSL certificate on your GoDaddy web hosting account.

Step 1: Generate Your SSL Certificate

1. Visit the Free SSL Certificate Generator: Go to PunchSalad’s SSL Certificate Generator to create your free Let's Encrypt SSL certificate.

2. Generate Certificate: Follow the instructions on the page to generate your SSL certificate. You will need to provide details such as your domain name.

3. Download SSL Certificate Files: Once the certificate is generated, download both files (certificate and private key) and save them to your local system for later use.

Step 2: Access Your GoDaddy cPanel

1.Log In to GoDaddy: Go to GoDaddy's login page and sign in with your credentials.

2. Open cPanel: After logging in, navigate to your GoDaddy product page and access the cPanel Admin interface for your hosting account.

Also you can go to direct cPanel Admin by http://yourdomain.com/cpanel

Step 3: Prepare Your Domain for SSL Validation

1. Navigate to public_html: In cPanel, go to the File Manager and open the public_html directory.

2. Show Hidden Files: Ensure that hidden files are visible. You can enable this option in the File Manager settings.

3. Create .well-known Folder: In the public_html directory, create a new folder named .well-known.

4. Create acme-challenge Folder: Inside the .well-known folder, create another folder named acme-challenge.

5. Upload Files: Upload the two files you downloaded earlier into the acme-challenge folder.

6. Verify Uploads: Ensure that the files have been uploaded successfully. You can verify this by navigating to the files' URLs in your browser.

Step 4: Verify Your Domain

1. Verify Files: Click on the provided links (usually included in your certificate generation email or interface) to verify that the files are accessible. This step confirms that your domain is properly configured.

2. Verify Domain: After verifying that the files are correctly uploaded, proceed to verify your domain through the Let's Encrypt interface.

• Note: The verification might take a few minutes to complete.

3. Obtain SSL Certificate: Once the domain verification is successful, you will receive your SSL certificate.

Step 5: Install the SSL Certificate

1. Access SSL/TLS Manager: Return to cPanel and search for SSL/TLS. Click on SSL/TLS and navigate to Install and Manage SSL for Your Site (HTTPS).

1. Manage SSL Sites: Click on Manage SSL Sites.

2. Upload Certificate:

• Certificate (CRT): Copy and paste the SSL certificate you received.
• Private Key (KEY): Copy and paste the private key you downloaded.
• Certificate Authority Bundle (CABUNDLE): If provided, copy and paste the certificate bundle.

3. Install Certificate: Click Install Certificate to complete the installation.

Step 6: Verify SSL Installation

1. Check Your Site: Open your website in a browser and check if the SSL certificate is properly installed. You should see a padlock icon next to your URL indicating a secure connection.

2. Use SSL Checker Tools: For additional verification, you can use online tools like SSL Labs' SSL Test to ensure everything is configured correctly.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You've successfully installed a free Let's Encrypt SSL certificate on your GoDaddy web hosting account. Regularly check your SSL certificate's validity and renew it as needed to ensure ongoing security for your website. If you encounter any issues during the process, GoDaddy’s support team is available to assist you.

Feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions or need further assistance!