How to Set Up and Use a Shared SSL- Windows

It is possible to use another domain’s SSL as a shared SSL that points to a Windows server. This will enable you to offer a secure connection to your website, but you’ll have to use a secure domain instead of your own.

A Shared SSL certificate allows you to secure your website using a shared domain provided by your hosting provider. This guide will walk you through setting up and using a Shared SSL on a Windows server.

Follow the systematic guide:

1. Access Your Control Panel
   • Log in to your hosting control panel (e.g., cPanel, Plesk).
2. Locate the SSL/TLS Manager
   • In cPanel: Navigate to the “Security” section and click on “SSL/TLS Manager.”
   • In Plesk: Go to “Websites & Domains” and select “SSL/TLS Certificates.”
3. Enable Shared SSL
   • Find the option to enable Shared SSL. This might be labeled as “Shared SSL” or “Free SSL.”
   • Follow the on-screen commands to enable it. This typically includes choosing your domain and activating the SSL.
4. Update Your Website’s URL
   • Update your website’s URL to use the shared SSL domain provided by your hosting provider.
   • In WordPress: Go to Settings > General and update the “WordPress Address (URL)” and “Site Address (URL)” to the shared SSL URL.
5. Configure HTTPS
   • Confirm all website resources (images, scripts, and stylesheets) use HTTPS. This may include updating links in your HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files.
   • Consider using a plugin or tool to automatically redirect HTTP traffic to HTTPS.
6. Test Your SSL Configuration
   • Visit your website using the new shared SSL URL to confirm it loads properly and securely.
   • Use online tools like SSL Labs’ SSL Test to authenticate your SSL configuration.

Additional Tips

• Redirect HTTP to HTTPS: Use a web.config file to automatically redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS.
•  Add the following to your web.config file:

<configuration>

  <system.webServer>

    <rewrite>

      <rules>

        <rule name="HTTP to HTTPS Redirect" stopProcessing="true">

          <match url="(.*)" />

          <conditions>

            <add input="{HTTPS}" pattern="off" ignoreCase="true" />

          </conditions>

          <action type="Redirect" url="https://{HTTP_HOST}/{R:1}" redirectType="Permanent" />

        </rule>

      </rules>

    </rewrite>

  </system.webServer>

</configuration>

• Update Internal Links: Guarantee all internal links point to the HTTPS version of your site to avoid mixed content notices.
• Check for Mixed Content: Use browser developer tools or online scanners to check for and fix any mixed content matters.

Setting up and using a shared SSL on a Windows server improves the security of your website. By following these steps, you can confirm that your site benefits from SSL encryption, providing a secure experience for your visitors.

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