Understanding SSL Certificates

This article explains what SSL certificates are and how to check if your website has one working properly.

What is an SSL Certificate?

An SSL certificate is a digital file that makes your website secure. It encrypts information that travels between your website and your visitors' browsers. This means if someone types their email address or credit card details on your site, that information is scrambled so hackers cannot read it.

You can tell if a website has SSL working by looking at the address bar. Secure sites show "https://" at the start of the web address and usually display a padlock icon.

How SSL Certificates Work

When someone visits your website, their browser checks for a valid SSL certificate. If it finds one, it creates an encrypted connection. All information sent between the browser and your website is then scrambled.

If there's no SSL certificate or it's not working properly, browsers show warning messages like "Not Secure" or "Your connection is not private". This scares visitors away from your site.

Checking Your SSL Certificate Status

To check if your Web60 site has SSL working:

Open your website in any browser
Look at the address bar at the top
Check that your web address starts with "https://" (not "http://")
Look for a padlock icon next to your web address
Click the padlock to see certificate details

If you see "Not Secure" or a warning message, your SSL certificate needs attention.

SSL on Web60 Sites

All Web60 sites get SSL certificates automatically. When you add a domain, the system requests and installs a certificate within 24 hours.

Sometimes certificates don't activate immediately if:

Your domain's DNS settings aren't pointing to Web60 yet
You've just added the domain and it's still processing
There was a temporary issue during setup

Fixing SSL Certificate Problems

If your site shows "Not Secure":

Wait 24 hours after adding your domain - certificates need time to activate
Check your domain's DNS settings are pointing to Web60
Clear your browser cache and try again
Try viewing your site in a different browser

If visitors see certificate warnings, don't ignore them. These warnings mean the secure connection isn't working properly.

Why SSL Certificates Matter

SSL certificates are essential because:

Google requires them for good search rankings
Browsers mark sites without SSL as "Not Secure"
Customers won't trust sites that aren't secure
They protect sensitive information like contact forms

Even simple business websites need SSL certificates. It's no longer optional.

If you're still stuck with SSL certificate issues, contact Web60 support with your domain name and a description of the problem you're seeing.

FAQ

Q: How long does it take for SSL to work on my new domain?

A: SSL certificates usually activate within 24 hours of adding your domain to Web60. Sometimes it can take longer if DNS settings need to update.

Q: Why does my site still show "Not Secure" after adding SSL?

A: Your browser might be loading an old cached version of your site. Try clearing your browser cache or viewing the site in private/incognito mode.

Q: Do I need to pay extra for SSL certificates?

A: No, all Web60 sites include SSL certificates at no extra cost. They're automatically installed and renewed.

Q: Can I use my own SSL certificate instead?

A: Web60 manages SSL certificates automatically. You cannot upload your own certificate files.

Q: What happens if my SSL certificate expires?

A: Web60 automatically renews SSL certificates before they expire. You don't need to do anything.

Q: Why do some browsers still show warnings about my SSL certificate?

A: This usually happens when your website loads some content (like images) from non-secure "http://" sources. All content must load from "https://" sources for the padlock to appear.

Q: How can I force my website to always use HTTPS?

A: Web60 automatically redirects visitors from "http://" to "https://" versions of your site. This happens automatically once SSL is active.