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Customer Portal - SSL Certificates

SSL Certificates provide security for your website domains and subdomains by encrypting communication between the server and visitors. This process not only protects data but also indicates that your site is secure by displaying a padlock icon in the address bar.

Our Shared, WordPress, and eCommerce hosting plans come with a free SSL certificate. Additionally, you can upgrade to one of our Premium SSL options, which offers enhanced features. You can easily order and manage SSL certificates directly from your Customer Portal, making it the fastest and simplest way to obtain and install an SSL certificate.

This article discusses the following topics:


How to Purchase an SSL Certificate

To order an SSL:

  1. Log in to the Customer Portal.
  2. There are several ways to order an SSL in the Customer Portal - via the Websites tabSecurity tab, or the Marketplace.


    Via the Websites tab

    1. Click Websites on the left-hand menu.

      Customer Portal - Websites tab

    2. Click the SETTINGS button for the website you'd like to purchase the SSL.

      settings button

    3. On the website management page, click the SECURITY tab.
    4. Click the ADD SSL CERTIFICATE button under the SSL Certificates section.

      Security tab - SSL Certificates - Add SSL

     

    Via the Security tab

    1. Click Security on the left-hand menu.

      Customer Portal - Security tab

    2. You will see all security products under the All Products tab. Click on the ADD SECURITY dropdown menu in the top-right and select SSL Certificates from the list of options.

      Add Security - SSL Certificates

      You can also click the SSL Certificate tab and click the ADD SSL CERTIFICATES button.

      Add SSL Certificates button

     

    Via the Marketplace

    1. Click MARKETPLACE on the left-hand menu.

      Customer Portal - Marketplace tab

    2. Scroll down to the Security section and then click CLAIM OFFER under the Premium SSL card.

      Security section

  3. Choose the SSL plan you'd like to use for your website.

    Marketplace - Select SSL plan

  4. Enter the domain to be connected to your SSL certificate.
  5. Please make sure you have a payment method on file. If you don't have one, you will be prompted to add one.
  6. Click the BUY NOW button and complete the payment transaction.
  7. You should now see your SSL Certificate under the Security tab on the left-hand menu of your Customer Portal.

    Security tab - SSL Certificates tab

 


How to Verify Your Domain (Post-Purchase)

Important Note: Verification is an essential step when purchasing an SSL certificate. Here are the different methods we use to verify the domain when you purchase an SSL from HostGator.

  • CNAME Verification: This method requires that your domain uses HostGator name servers at the time of verification.
  • HTML Verification: This method will only work for websites that do not deny access to HTML files on your hosting package. Sites that deny access to HTML files, such as WordPress, may not be able to successfully install via this method.
  • Email Verification: Only the primary domain on the account may be verified with email verification. Any other domain will require an alternative method.

If you are moving an SSL from a third-party provider, you will not have to verify your domain. For more information about installing third-party SSL certificates, please visit the following article.

There are 3 methods used to verify your domain name when purchasing SSL through the Customer Portal.


HTTP

Note: Websites that prevent access to HTML files, such as WordPress sites, will prevent this method from succeeding.

The HTTP method involves a file automatically uploaded to the document root of the domain you selected for the SSL certificate after your invoice is paid. This may take up to 15 minutes before the file is generated.

If you are using HostGator name servers, your domain will be successfully verified even if it has not been pointed to your host yet.

Users with domains pointed elsewhere will need to copy this file to the server where your domain is currently hosted.

To locate this file, navigate to the document root with FTP or File Manager and look for a file similar to the one in this example:

Example .txt file

The name of the file will be randomly generated, so it may be difficult to locate. Users using the File Manager in cPanel can use the search function in the top right corner to look for the .txt files in the directory.

File Manager - Search for .txt file

If you need to verify that you have found the correct file, you may inspect its contents (either locally by downloading it with FTP or via the Code Editor in File Manager). The contents of the correct file will be similar to the following example:

Check validity of file

After identifying the correct file, please download it and then upload it to the document root of your website host to complete the verification.

 

CNAME

Note: Domains that are not using HostGator name servers will not work with the CNAME method.

This method involves adding a CNAME record to your DNS zone. After a successful purchase and after the CNAME record has time to propagate, the service will automatically verify you with no extra steps on your part.

  • If you are using HostGator name servers, your domain will be successfully verified even if it has not been pointed to your host yet.
     
  • If you are not using your HostGator name servers, you will need to find the CNAME record created and then add it to your actual DNS host.

    To locate the CNAME record:

    Via the Customer Portal

    1. Log in to the Customer Portal.
    2. Click Domains on the left-hand menu.

      Customer Portal - Domains tab

    3. If you have a single domain in your account, you'll be redirected to the domain's management page right away. Scroll down to the Advanced Tools section.

      If you have multiple domains in your account, click the domain where you installed your SSL. (You may also click the 3 vertical dots icon to the right, under the Actions column, and then click Manage.) You'll be redirected to your domain's management page.
      Multiple domains - Actions column
    4. On the domain management page, scroll down to the Advanced Tools section.
    5. Click MANAGE beside Advanced DNS Records.

      Advaned Tools - Manage link

    6. In the pop-up, click Continue.
    7. Look for the CNAME section and copy the string of text next to your domain.

    Via cPanel

    1. Log in to your cPanel.
    2. Under the Domains section, click Zone Editor.

      Domains - Zone Editor

    3. Locate the domain where you installed your SSL certificate, then click Manage.

      Zone Editor - Manage

    4. From the list of DNS records, locate the newest CNAME record (this is usually found at the bottom of the list).
    5. You can copy the string of text next to CNAME.

      Example of SSL's CNAME

    6. After retrieving your CNAME record, you need to add this to your host's control panel (where your name servers are connected to) to complete the validation process.

 

Email

After purchasing the SSL, an email will be sent to the address you used during the purchase. It contains instructions on how to complete the domain verification process.

If you need to create an email address in cPanel to receive the verification email, here is an article to guide you:

 


Not sure what you need? We have consolidated our SSL articles for you.

Need further assistance? Please contact us via phone or chat so we can assist you!
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