How to Enable Free SSL on Your Website

Securing your website with SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) ensures your visitors' data is encrypted, builds trust, and helps with SEO rankings. The good news? Media Giant Hosting provides FREE SSL certificates through Let’s Encrypt. This guide will show you how to enable SSL on your website in just a few steps.

What is an SSL Certificate?

An SSL certificate is a digital security certificate that authenticates your website's identity and enables encryption for data being transferred between your site and its visitors. Essentially, it ensures that information (such as login credentials, payment details, and contact forms) remains private and protected from hackers.

When SSL is active:

• Your website loads over https:// instead of http://.

• Most browsers display a padlock icon in the address bar, signaling a secure connection.

• Google and other search engines favor your site in rankings.

• Visitors are protected from data theft and man-in-the-middle attacks.

• Users won’t see security warnings that could drive them away from your site.

✅ Protects visitor data (like contact forms & login info)
✅ Boosts SEO rankings (Google prefers HTTPS websites)
✅ Builds trust (Visitors see the padlock and feel safer)
✅ Required for modern browsers (Non-SSL sites show security warnings)

Step 1: Access the SSL Management Panel

1. Log into your Media Giant Hosting client area.

2. Click on My Services.

3. Select the hosting plan associated with your domain.

4. Click on SSL Certificates.

This will take you to the SSL management panel, where you can generate a free SSL certificate or upload a paid one.

Step 2: Generate a Free SSL Certificate (Let’s Encrypt)

1. Click on Generate Certificate.

2. Fill out the form with your certificate holder information (usually your business or site owner details).

3. Click Submit, and the system will automatically request, generate, and install the Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate for your domain.

4. Once completed, your site will be secured with SSL.

✅ Let’s Encrypt automatically renews your SSL certificate every 90 days, so you don’t have to worry about manual renewals.

Step 3: Verify SSL is Working

1. Open your website in a browser and check the address bar.

2. You should see https:// instead of http://.

3. Look for the padlock icon—this confirms SSL is active.

4. If your site still loads as Not Secure, try clearing your browser cache or check the troubleshooting section below.

Troubleshooting SSL Issues

1. My site still loads as HTTP instead of HTTPS

• Clear your browser cache and refresh the page.

• Try opening your website in an incognito/private window.

• Ensure your website’s internal links and images are using https:// instead of http://.

• If needed, update your website settings to force HTTPS (this is covered in another guide).

2. I see a "Certificate Not Trusted" warning

• Make sure your SSL certificate was issued correctly in Step 2.

• Check if your domain has fully propagated (DNS changes can take up to 48 hours).

• If you uploaded a paid SSL certificate, ensure all required files were uploaded correctly.

3. My SSL certificate isn’t working at all

• Go to your Media Giant Hosting client area and check if the SSL certificate is active.

• Ensure your domain is still pointed at our hosting. If your domain’s DNS settings changed, the SSL renewal may have failed.

• If you've tried everything and it's still not working, contact our support team for help.

Conclusion

Enabling a free SSL certificate on your website is quick and easy with Let’s Encrypt. By following this guide, your website will be encrypted, secure, and ready for your visitors. If you need additional help, check our Knowledge Base or open a support ticket—we’ve got your back! ????