How to activate and install a paid SSL certificate

Every domain here already gets a free certificate automatically — see what an SSL certificate is. This page is only for a paid certificate you bought (RapidSSL, GeoTrust and similar), which needs a validation step the free one doesn't.

1. Order and generate the CSR

1 After paying, open the certificate under My Products & Services in the portal.
2 You'll be asked for a CSR — a request generated by the server. In cPanel, go to SSL/TLS → Generate, view, or delete SSL certificate signing requests, fill in the domain and company details, and copy the whole block, including the BEGIN and END lines.
3 Paste the CSR into the certificate configuration and submit.

2. Prove the domain is yours

The certificate authority has to confirm you control the domain. You choose the method:

1 By e-mail — a message goes to an address at the domain (admin@, webmaster@ and similar). You must be able to read it, so create the mailbox first if it doesn't exist.
2 By DNS — you add a record to the zone. Convenient if the domain's mail isn't set up yet.
3 By file — you upload a file the authority gives you into the site's folder.

3. Install it

1 Once validated, the authority issues the certificate — usually within minutes for the basic ones.
2 In cPanel, open SSL/TLS → Manage SSL sites, choose the domain, paste the certificate, and install.
3 Check the padlock in the browser. If it doesn't appear, force HTTPS — see how to redirect HTTP to HTTPS.
A paid certificate doesn't renew itself. Unlike the free one, it has to be reissued and reinstalled — see why certificates last less than a year. Put a reminder in your calendar.

Stuck at validation, or the padlock won't appear? Send us the domain.

Open a support ticket

SEE ALSO

How to clean up a compromised site

How to tell if your site has been compromised

How to redirect HTTP to HTTPS with .htaccess

Want a paid SSL certificate? See the options.

SSL CERTIFICATES

The padlock your customers look for.

A paid certificate adds warranty and company validation — useful for online shops and any site taking payments or customer data.

See SSL certificates

Hosting already includes free SSL for everyday use

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