Updating WordPress URLs After Setting up SSL
After installing SSL for your WordPress site, the next step is to move your WordPress URL from HTTP to HTTPS.
A normal site without SSL certificate uses HTTP protocol. This is usually highlighted with http prefix in web addresses, like this:
http://www.example.com
Secure websites with SSL certificates use HTTPS protocol. This means that their addresses look like this:
https://www.example.com
Without changing the URLs in your WordPress site, you will not be using SSL and your site will not be secure for collecting sensitive data.
Having said, let’s see how to move WordPress URLs from http to https:
For Brand New WordPress Website
If you are working on a brand new website, then you can just go to your WordPress admin area and click on settings. There you will need to update the WordPress URL and Site URL fields to use https.
Don’t forget to save your changes.
For Existing WordPress Sites
If your site has been live for a while, then chances are that it is indexed by search engines. Other people may have linked to it using http in the URL. You need to make sure that all traffic is redirected to the https URL.
First thing you need to do is install and activate the Really Simple SSL plugin. For more details, see our step by step guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.
The plugin will automatically detect your SSL certificate and set up your website to use it. In most cases, you will not have to make any more changes. The plugin will also fix insecure content issue.
Update Google Analytics Settings
If you have Google Analytics installed on your WordPress site, then you need to update its settings and add your new url with https.
Login to your Google Analytics dashboard and click on ‘Admin’ at the top menu. Next, you need to click on property settings under your website.
There you will see the default URL option. Click on http and then select https.
Don’t forget to click on the save button to store your settings.
