Easy Steps to Set Up an SSL Certificate with Cloudflare and cPanel
Start with Cloudflare:
- Go to Cloudflare.com and log in.
- On the left, click on "SSL/TLS", then choose "Origin Server."
- Click "Create Certificate."
- Opt for "Generate private key and CSR with Cloudflare." Here, you'll add all the domains associated with your server. The certificate validity is typically set to 15 years.
- Hit "Create" and on the subsequent page, make sure to copy the private key. You'll need it shortly.
Move to cPanel:
- Head over to cPanel and log in.
- Find and click on "SSL/TLS."
- Next, choose "Generate, view, upload, or delete your private keys."
- Opt for "Upload a Private Key."
- Now, paste the private key you copied from Cloudflare. Add a brief description, perhaps something like "Cloudflare SSL", so you can identify it easily later.
- Click "Save."
- Final Cloudflare Adjustments:
- Return to Cloudflare.
- On the left, go to "SSL/TLS" and then "Overview."
- Change the setting from "Flexible" to "Full (Strict)."
Quick Verification:
Open a private/incognito browser window and visit your website.
If you're using Firefox, you can click on the lock icon beside your domain to check the SSL status. It should display: "Verified by: Let’s Encrypt."
Last but not least, make sure you've set up a 301 redirect to ensure all traffic on your website is routed to HTTPS for security.
