Customer Portal - SSL Certificates
You can order and manage SSL certificates directly from your Customer Portal. This is the fastest, easiest, and best way to order an SSL and have it installed.
- 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.
For more information, please go to the How to Verify your Domain section ⤵.
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.
All Shared Hosting packages include a free SSL certificate that provides security for your website domains and subdomains by encrypting communications between the server and visitors to your website. It also flags your site as secure by displaying a padlock icon in your address bar. You can also upgrade your SSL to one of our Premium SSL offerings, which can provide additional enhanced features.
This article discusses the following topics:
How to Purchase an SSL Certificate
To purchase an SSL:
- Log in to the Customer Portal.
- There are several ways to purchase an SSL in the Customer Portal - via the Security tab or the Marketplace.
Via the Security tab
- Click the Websites tab.
- Click the SETTINGS button for the website for which you'd like to purchase the SSL.
- On the website management page, click the SECURITY tab.
- Click the Upgrade SSL link to purchase an SSL.
Via the Marketplace
- Click MARKETPLACE on the left-hand menu.
- Navigate to the Security section.
- Click CLAIM OFFER under the Premium SSL card.
- Click the Websites tab.
- Choose the SSL plan you'd like to use for your website.
- Enter the domain to be connected to your SSL certificate.
- Please make sure you've selected your preferred payment method on file. If you don't have one, you will be prompted to add one.
- Click the BUY NOW button and complete the payment transaction.
- You should now see your SSL certificate under the Security tab on the left-hand menu of your Customer Portal.
How to Verify Your Domain (Post-Purchase)
There are 3 methods used to verify your domain name when purchasing SSL through the Customer Portal.
Please click the links below for more information.
HTTP
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:
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.
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:
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
This method involves a CNAME record added 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
- Log in to the Customer Portal.
- Click Domains on the left-hand menu.
- 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.
- On the domain management page, scroll down to the Advanced Tools section.
- Click MANAGE beside Advanced DNS Records.
- In the pop-up, click Continue.
- Look for the CNAME section and copy the string of text next to your domain.
Via cPanel
- Log in to your cPanel.
- Under the Domains section, click Zone Editor.
- Locate the domain where you installed your SSL certificate, then click Manage.
- From the list of DNS records, locate the newest CNAME record (this is usually found at the bottom of the list).
- You can copy the string of text next to CNAME.
- 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.
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:
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