An SSL certificate secures the connection between your website and visitors. In this guide, we explain how to install SSL in DirectAdmin, so your website is safe and reliable for your users.

Why SSL is Important

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encrypts data between the browser and server. This is crucial for protecting sensitive information, such as passwords and credit card details. The benefits of using SSL are numerous:

  • Security: Data cannot be intercepted by malicious actors, which is especially important for e-commerce and websites that process personal information.
  • Trust: A green padlock in the browser gives visitors confidence in your website. This can lead to higher conversions, as users are more likely to enter their information on a secure site.
  • SEO: Google prefers HTTPS sites in search results. This means that an SSL certificate can contribute to better visibility for your website.
  • Required: Many features, such as processing forms and logging in, only work with HTTPS. This is essential for modern web applications.

HTTP vs HTTPS

Aspect HTTP HTTPS
Encryption No Yes
Browser "Not secure" Green padlock
SEO Lower Higher
Required for Basic sites Forms, logins, webshops

Let's Encrypt SSL (Free)

Let's Encrypt offers free SSL certificates that are automatically renewed. This is an excellent option for small businesses and personal websites that want to keep costs low.

Step 1: Navigate to SSL Certificates

  1. Log in to DirectAdmin
  2. Go to SSL Certificates in the menu
  3. You will see the SSL options for your domain

Step 2: Activate Let's Encrypt

  1. Click on Free & automatic certificate from Let's Encrypt
  2. Check your domain (e.g. jouwsite.nl)
  3. Also check www.jouwsite.nl
  4. Click on Save

Step 3: Wait for Installation

  • The certificate will be installed within a few minutes
  • You will receive a confirmation
  • The certificate will be automatically renewed every 90 days

Forcing HTTPS

After installing SSL, it is important to redirect visitors to HTTPS. This ensures that all communication between the browser and server is secure.

Via .htaccess

Add the following lines to your .htaccess file:

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

Via DirectAdmin

  1. Go to Domain Setup or Force SSL Redirect
  2. Activate Force SSL with https redirect
  3. Click on Save

Setting Up WordPress HTTPS

If you are using WordPress, you also need to adjust the settings to support HTTPS. This can be easily done through the settings or by using a plugin.

  1. Go to Settings → General
  2. Change WordPress Address (URL) to https://
  3. Change Site Address (URL) to https://
  4. Click on Save Changes

Or use a plugin like Really Simple SSL, which automatically makes the necessary changes.

Installing Your Own SSL Certificate

If you have purchased an SSL certificate from a provider like Comodo or DigiCert, follow these steps:

Step 1: Generate CSR

  1. Go to SSL Certificates in DirectAdmin
  2. Click on Create a Certificate Request
  3. Fill in the details:
    • Common Name: jouwsite.nl
    • Organization, City, State, Country
  4. Copy the CSR

Step 2: Request Certificate

  1. Go to your SSL provider
  2. Paste the CSR
  3. Verify domain ownership
  4. Download the certificate

Step 3: Install Certificate

  1. Go to SSL Certificates in DirectAdmin
  2. Click on Paste a pre-generated certificate
  3. Paste the certificate
  4. Paste the CA Bundle (intermediate certificates)
  5. Click on Save

Troubleshooting SSL Issues

You may encounter issues after installing SSL. Here are some common problems and their solutions:

Mixed Content Warnings

Your site loads HTTP resources on an HTTPS page, which can lead to security warnings.

Solution:

  1. Look for HTTP links in your content
  2. Replace http:// with https:// or //
  3. Use a plugin like Better Search Replace to do this automatically

SSL Certificate Expired

Let's Encrypt renews automatically, but if this fails:

  1. Check if the website is accessible
  2. Check if the DNS is correct
  3. Renew manually via DirectAdmin

"Not Secure" Despite SSL

This can have various causes:

  • Mixed content (see above)
  • SSL not active for www or non-www versions of your domain
  • Browser cache - try the site in an incognito window

ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR

If you receive this error message:

  • Wait 5-10 minutes after installation
  • Clear the browser cache
  • Try a different browser

Wildcard SSL

A wildcard certificate (*.jouwsite.nl) covers all subdomains, such as:

  • blog.jouwsite.nl
  • shop.jouwsite.nl
  • etc.

Contact support for the configuration of wildcard SSL.

Tips

  1. Always force HTTPS after SSL installation to ensure all visitors are secure.
  2. Regularly check if SSL is still valid, especially if you haven't set up automatic renewal.
  3. Update links to HTTPS in your content to avoid mixed content warnings.
  4. Test your SSL configuration with tools like ssllabs.com for a detailed report.

Need Help?

We are here for you! Are you facing any issues or have questions? Our support team is happy to assist you personally. Send us a message via the ticket system - we usually respond within a few hours and are happy to help.