How to Move Your WordPress Website from HTTP to HTTPS

In today’s digital landscape, website security is no longer optional — it is a necessity. One of the most critical steps in securing your WordPress website is migrating from HTTP to HTTPS. HTTPS encrypts data transferred between your visitors and your server, ensuring sensitive information like passwords, personal data, and payment details remain safe from hackers. Beyond security, HTTPS is also a ranking factor for Google, which means moving to HTTPS can boost your website’s visibility in search results.

This article provides a step-by-step guide to migrating your WordPress website from HTTP to HTTPS, explaining the technical setup, common pitfalls, and the long-term benefits.

Step 1: Purchase and Install an SSL Certificate

The foundation of HTTPS is the SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certificate, which establishes a secure connection between your server and the browser. Many hosting providers now include free SSL certificates via Let’s Encrypt, while others offer premium SSL certificates for added trust and warranty.

To install:

  1. Log in to your hosting control panel (such as cPanel).

  2. Locate the SSL/TLS section.

  3. Choose either the free SSL option or upload a purchased SSL certificate.

  4. Enable SSL for your domain and subdomains.

Once installed, your server can handle HTTPS traffic, but additional configuration is required to ensure your entire website uses it properly.

Step 2: Update Your WordPress and Site Address

After SSL installation, you must tell WordPress to use HTTPS.

  1. Log in to your WordPress Admin Dashboard.

  2. Navigate to Settings → General.

  3. Update the WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) from http:// to https://.

  4. Save the changes.

This ensures all new links, pages, and resources generated by WordPress use HTTPS.

Step 3: Update Hard-Coded Links and Media

Many websites contain internal links and media URLs that still use HTTP. If left unchanged, this can cause mixed content warnings, where secure pages still attempt to load insecure elements.

To fix this efficiently:

  • Use plugins like Better Search Replace to update all instances of http://yourdomain.com to https://yourdomain.com in your database.

  • Re-upload media files if necessary, ensuring they load via HTTPS.

This step guarantees all your website resources load securely.

Step 4: Force HTTPS via Redirects

To avoid users accessing the old HTTP version, you must set up redirects. This ensures anyone typing http:// will automatically land on the HTTPS version.

  1. Locate your .htaccess file in the root directory.

  2. Add the following redirect rule:

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]

This permanent (301) redirect informs browsers and search engines that your website has officially moved to HTTPS.

Step 5: Update Google Search Console and Analytics

Since HTTPS is technically a new URL, you must reconfigure your SEO tools.

  • Add the new HTTPS version of your website in Google Search Console.

  • Update your property settings in Google Analytics.

  • Submit a fresh sitemap with HTTPS URLs.

This step ensures your search rankings remain stable during the transition.

Step 6: Test and Troubleshoot

Once your HTTPS migration is complete, test your website thoroughly.

  • Use Why No Padlock or SSL Labs Test to check for issues.

  • Confirm all pages load securely with the padlock symbol in the browser.

  • Fix any remaining mixed content warnings.

Long-Term Benefits of HTTPS

  1. Stronger Security – Protects sensitive data like logins and transactions.

  2. Improved SEO Rankings – Google prioritizes secure websites.

  3. Increased Trust – Visitors are more likely to engage with a secure website.

  4. Better Browser Compatibility – Modern browsers warn users about non-secure sites.

Migrating to HTTPS is an investment in your website’s long-term health, trust, and growth.

Conclusion

Switching your WordPress website from HTTP to HTTPS may seem like a technical challenge, but the process is straightforward when broken down into clear steps. By installing an SSL certificate, updating your WordPress settings, fixing mixed content, and configuring redirects, you can secure your website effectively. Beyond protection, HTTPS enhances your SEO, builds user trust, and future-proofs your site against evolving browser and search engine requirements.

In short, if you want your WordPress website to remain competitive and trustworthy, moving to HTTPS is not just recommended — it’s essential.