Ordering an SSL Certificate

Introduction

Securing your website with an SSL is a standard requirement for protecting user data and building trust. If you are new to the concepts of encryption and https, we recommend starting with our overview: What is an SSL Certificate?

Ordering the certificate is the central step in the process, but it is part of a specific workflow. To successfully secure your site, you will follow these four stages:

1. Preparation: You must first Generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) on your server.
2. Ordering: (This Guide) Use the CSR to purchase the specific certificate type you need.
3. Validation: After ordering, you must Verify your SSL Certificate to prove you own the domain.
4. Completion: Once issued, you will [Install the SSL] on your server to finalize the security.

This guide walks you through Step 2: selecting the right plan and submitting your order via your Liquid Web account.

Prerequisites

• A Liquid Web Client Portal account.
• A valid Certificate Signing Request (CSR)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Next Steps

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Related Articles

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SSL certificates keep your web traffic secure using public key encryption. When you visit a website, your browser reads the site’s SSL certificate to make sure the site is legitimate. (Read What Is an SSL Certificate? to learn more!)

NOTE:

If you use WHM/cPanel to manage your Linux server, you may be able to automatically order, verify, install, and renew your SSL’s. When you log in to manage.liquidweb.com, select the server and the domain for which you need to order the SSL and choose the Automated method. The system will generate the CSR, order and verify the SSL, and install it on the server, if possible. If there are any problems with the automation, our system will alert our Support Team so that they can provide whatever additional assistance is required.

Adding an SSL certificate to your site is a multi-step process. First, you generate a certificate signing request (CSR) on your server. Then you order your certificate and install it on your server. This article will specifically handle ordering your SSL certificate. To order a certificate, you will need a CSR. Find out how to generate one within your operating system below:

• Generating an SSL Certificate Signing Request (CSR) in cPanel
• Generating an SSL Certificate Signing Request (CSR) in Plesk
• Generating an SSL Certificate Signing Request (CSR) in Cloud Sites
• Generating an SSL Certificate Signing Request (CSR) from Command Line

Once you’ve generated your CSR, you’re ready to follow the directions in this article and order your SSL certificate.

1. Log into your Liquid Web account, then click SSL in the left menu

   

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2. Click Add SSL.
   

   

   
   
3. Copy and paste your whole CSR into the Certificate Signing Request field.
   

   

4. Due to industry changes, SSL certificates will only be issued for 1 year at a time.
5. Enable Auto-Renew for the certificate if desired. The certificate will automatically renew within 45 days of expiration (renewal will be for 1 year).
6. Select a Verification Method. The easiest verification method is DNS Record, but you can also verify your SSL by inserting an HTMLMeta tag to your site.
   • DNS verification is exceptionally useful if your DNS is not hosted at Liquid Web: you simply add a TXT record to wherever your DNS is hosted.
   • If you aren’t comfortable using DNS verification, you can verify your SSL via Metatag. Metatag verification is very rarely necessary and can be complicated. We do not recommend metatag verification unless your developer decides it’s needed.
   • Our article Verifying an SSL Certificate will walk you through the whole process once you purchase your SSL.
     

     

7. Click Purchase SSL Certificate to continue. You will be billed for the certificate options you’ve chosen. Confirm you’d like to order the certificate by clicking Order Certificate.

You’ve successfully purchased your SSL! Now it’s time to verify the certificate. This proves your certificate signing request came from your server by asking you to edit something only the server owner will have access to. Follow the directions in Verifying an SSL Certificate to complete this step.