Adding an SSL certificate overview

 

Overview

This article describes the different types of SSL certificates you can add to your domain at DreamHost.

FAQs

What's the process to add an SSL certificate

Adding a certificate is only the first step in the process of making your site secure. In order to see a secure padlock in your browser’s address bar, you must also complete each of the following steps:

  1. Add a valid SSL certificate to the site (described in the following sections).
  2. Adjust any settings in your website so it will function with an SSL certificate.

    This is usually only necessary for some CMS software solutions, such as WordPress sites.

  3. Fix any insecure resources or links on your site.

What types of SSL certificates can I use?

There are three types of SSL certificates you can add to your domain within the DreamHost panel:

Are Wildcard certificates available?

Wildcard certificates are currently not supported.

How long after adding the certificate will HTTPS function?

Adding an SSL certificate

  1. Navigate to the Secure Certificates page. A list of your domains display.
  2. Click the Add button to the right of the domain.
  3. On the next page, select a free Let's Encrypt or paid Sectigo certificate.

Option #1 — Let's Encrypt SSL (FREE)

Let's Encrypt certificates are recommended for simple websites such as a WordPress blog and other non-critical public content.

They are just as secure as paid certificates. The only difference is that they do not have the same seal of trust to display to visitors, so they are not recommended for eCommerce sites or sites that require a customer login.

Option #2 — Sectigo verified SSL ($15/year)

Sectigo professionally-signed certificates are recommended for eCommerce sites, customer login areas, and any other critical public content. The advantages of a Sectigo SSL certificate are:

  • it's professionally signed by Sectigo and displays a certificate seal of trust.
  • gives your visitors the best indication that your website is secure and the connection is safe.
  • provides a certificate warranty if it fails to properly validate the information contained in a digital certificate.

Signed SSL Certificate Seal

For the signed SSL certificates purchased in the DreamHost panel (through Sectigo), you can use this seal graphic on your site:

Option #3 — Third-party SSL

Below is a list of Certificate Authorities from which you may also purchase a third-party SSL certificate.

Please note that the specifications for all SSL certificates are NOT the same. You have to compare features as well as prices to see what's the best value.

CSR

Make sure to copy the Certificate Signing Request (CSR) in your panel and use it when purchasing your third-party SSL certificate from another Certificate Authority. See this article for further details.

CAA records

CAA records can be created by a website owner to specify which Certificate Authorities (CAs) are permitted to issue SSL certificates for a domain. See this article if you'd like to add CAA records to your domain before purchasing an SSL certificate.

See also

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