How to Install and Activate Free SSL/TLS Certificate in CPanel (ServerByt)

Securing your website with an SSL/TLS certificate is non-negotiable for modern web hosting. An SSL certificate enables HTTPS, which encrypts data transfer, protects user privacy, and is a critical factor for search engine optimization (SEO).

This guide walks you through the straightforward process of activating the free SSL/TLS certificate provided by your CPanel hosting environment, specifically using ServerByt.

Step 1: Access Your CPanel Control Panel

Log in: Access your ServerByt (or any CPanel-based) hosting account.
Navigate to CPanel: From your main dashboard, click the “Log to control panel” option on the right side of the screen [00:20].

Step 2: Locate the SSL/TLS Management Tool

Find Security: Once inside the CPanel dashboard, scroll down until you find the Security section.
Open SSL/TLS: Click on the SSL/TLS icon or link [00:29]. This page manages certificates for all domains on your hosting package.

Step 3: Activate the Free SSL Certificate

On the SSL/TLS page, you will see a list of your domains. If your domain is correctly pointing to the hosting, you will have the option to activate a free certificate:

Click Activate: Locate your domain (e.g., techwithr.org) and click on “Activate Free SSL” [01:04].
Wildcard Coverage: This activation typically deploys a wildcard SSL certificate, which automatically secures both your main domain and all associated subdomains [01:08].
Wait for Installation: The installation process usually takes a few moments. Once the system finishes, you will see a confirmation, and the certificate status should show as activated.

Step 4: Verify and Force HTTPS

After activation, you may need to wait for a short period for the certificate to become fully effective.

Propagation Time: The system warns that this process can take up to 30 minutes to complete and apply globally [02:03].
Verification: Once the time has passed, open your website in a browser. The URL should automatically display https:// instead of http://, and you should see a lock icon in the address bar [02:59]. This confirms your website is secure and running on HTTPS.

Importing an External SSL Certificate (Optional)

If you have purchased a custom SSL/TLS certificate from a third-party vendor, you can install it using the same tool:

On the SSL/TLS page, locate the option to “Install an external SSL certificate” [02:21].
Upload Details: Select your domain, and then paste the certificate details, including the Certificate Key and the CA Bundle (intermediate certificate) [02:35].
Click “Install SSL Certificate” and wait for the process to complete [02:42].

Securing your site with SSL is a simple but vital step for protecting your visitors and boosting your website’s credibility and search ranking.