Migrating WordPress from HTTP to HTTPS Without Errors

Migrating WordPress from HTTP to HTTPS Without Errors

Securing your WordPress website with HTTPS is more than a best practice—it’s essential for data integrity, user trust, and search engine ranking. This guide walks you through every step of migrating from HTTP to HTTPS, ensuring a seamless transition without errors or downtime.

Why HTTPS Matters

• Data Encryption: Protects sensitive data (login credentials, form submissions).
• SEO Boost: Google and other search engines favor HTTPS sites.
• User Trust: Modern browsers display warnings on HTTP pages, driving users away.
• Compliance: Meets standards like GDPR and PCI DSS.

Prerequisites

• Access to your hosting control panel or server via SSH.
• Ability to edit WordPress files and database.
• Backup solution for files and database (e.g., UpdraftPlus).
• SSL/TLS certificate (free or paid).

1. Backup Everything

Before making any changes, create full backups:

• Database export via phpMyAdmin or mysqldump.
• Full file backup (wp-content, themes, plugins).
• Store backups off-server (Dropbox, Amazon S3).

2. Obtain and Install Your SSL/TLS Certificate

Choosing a Certificate Authority

Provider	Type	Cost	Renewal
Let’s Encrypt	Domain Validation	Free	90 days
ZeroSSL	DV / OV	Free / Paid	60 days
Comodo / Sectigo	DV / OV / EV	Starting 7/year	1–2 years

Installation on Common Servers

cPanel / WHM

1. Log in to cPanel and open SSL/TLS.
2. Generate a CSR if needed paste certificate and private key.
3. Assign the certificate to your domain.
4. Verify via SSL Labs.

Apache (Ubuntu/Debian)

1. Enable modules: a2enmod ssl and a2enmod headers.
2. Configure /etc/apache2/sites-available/your-site.conf with SSLEngine on and certificate paths.
3. Reload: systemctl reload apache2.

Nginx

1. Edit server block (e.g., /etc/nginx/sites-available/default).
2. Add:
   listen 443 ssl
ssl_certificate /path/fullchain.pem
ssl_certificate_key /path/privkey.pem
3. Reload: systemctl reload nginx.

3. Update WordPress Configuration

Modify wp-config.php

Add or update:

define(FORCE_SSL_ADMIN, true)
if (_SERVER[HTTP_X_FORWARDED_PROTO] == https) {
  _SERVER[HTTPS] = on
}
  

Change Site URL

• WordPress Admin → Settings gt General.
• Update WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) to https://yourdomain.com.

4. Redirect HTTP to HTTPS

Apache (.htaccess)

ltIfModule mod_rewrite.cgt
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} !=on
RewriteRule ^ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]
lt/IfModulegt
  

Nginx

server {
    listen 80
    server_name yourdomain.com www.yourdomain.com
    return 301 https://hostrequest_uri
}
  

5. Replace Hard‐Coded URLs in Database

Use a search-and-replace tool to update serialized data:

• Search Replace DB
• WP Migrate DB (Plugin)

Example command-line (WP-CLI):

wp search-replace http://yourdomain.com https://yourdomain.com --skip-columns=guid
  

6. Test and Fix Mixed Content

1. Open developer console (F12) → Look for “Mixed Content” warnings.
2. Update links in theme files or database (images, scripts, styles).
3. Use SSL Check tools to scan pages.

7. Update External Services

• Google Search Console: Add the HTTPS property.
• Google Analytics: Update default URL.
• CDN / Cache Plugins: Clear caches, ensure SSL is enabled.
• Social sharing / email templates: Adjust links.

8. Final Checks and Ongoing Maintenance

• Regularly renew your certificate (Let’s Encrypt auto-renew via cron).
• Monitor uptime and certificate validity via services like UptimeRobot.
• Review SSL Labs report Grade A/A .
• Keep WordPress, themes, and plugins updated.

Conclusion

Migrating your WordPress site from HTTP to HTTPS is a multi-step process, but following the above framework helps you avoid common pitfalls like mixed content errors, downtime, or SEO issues. By securing user data, enhancing SEO, and building user trust, HTTPS migration is an investment that pays dividends in protection and performance.

For further reading, see the official WordPress HTTPS documentation and the Let’s Encrypt docs.