Introduction to SSL Manager
From your website control panel, click on ‘Advanced Tools.’
To get to the SSL Manager, click on ‘Utilities’ from the top menu, then select ‘SSL Manager.’
From the SSL Manager, it is recommended that you select the Private or Vanity SSL certificate. A generic or shared SSL may require you to use a different domain or directory to access your files or folders online. Here’s the usual format of the domain- yourdomainname.secureextension.server1.com.
A Private or Vanity SSL is recommended for business or e-commerce sites since you will be able to use your own domain and branding. This allows your customers and viewers to trust your website more when processing payments or submitting data online.
Setting up a Private SSL Certificate
Step 1: Generating the SSL key and certificate
The first step in setting up your private SSL certificate is to generate a key and Certificate Request (CSR) using the SSL Manager. Select the “Generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR)” radio button from the SSL Manager page and click the “Next” button. A form will be displayed that allows you to enter the required information for generating the key and CSR.
Fill out the form and click the “Next” button. The information you entered will be displayed. Click the “Back” button if you want to make any changes to this information. If the information you entered is correct, click the “Next” button. A CSR and key will be created and your CSR will be displayed. This is your self-signed certificate and you can use it as a temporary certificate while you are waiting for a real certificate. Click the “Next” button to set up the CSR on our servers. The result of operation and the name of your certificate file will be displayed. Click the “Finish” button to exit the SSL Manager.
Click the “Cancel” button anytime during the process to exit SSL Manager without saving the changes made during that step.
Step 2: Purchasing the Certificate
To purchase the certificate, email it to a Certificate Authority along with your “Proof of Organizational Name” and “Proof of right to use Domain Name”. The “Proof of Organizational Name” in most cases is a copy of your company registration documents or certificate of incorporation. The “Proof of the right to use Domain Name” in most cases is a printout of your whois information. There are exceptions to both proofs. Contact your Certificate Authority for their exact specifications before sending any documents.
The Certificate Authority may ask you about the server type your certificate will be installed on. Our server type is “apache with mod_SSL“
To purchase the certificate at a later time, log into the “SSL Manager”. Select the “View your Certificate Signing Request (CSR)” radio button and click the “Next” button. The CSR will be displayed. Copy the certificate and send it to the Certificate Authority along with documents described above.
The following is a list of some Certificate Authorities for your reference:
Name.com SSL
GoDaddy.com SSL
Thawte.com SSL
Entrust.net SSL
NameCheap.com SSL
3. Uploading your purchased certificate
The last step of creating a secure site is to upload the certificate you receive from your Certificate Authority.
After receiving your certificate from your Certificate Authority, you need to upload it to our servers in order for us to set up your secure site.
To upload your certificate, select the “Upload your certificate ” radio button and click the “Next” button. A form will be displayed. Paste the body of certificate in the text area. Click the “Next” button to complete the operation. The result of operation will be displayed. Click the “Finish” button to exit SSL Manager. Your certificate will be set up the next business day.
Click “Cancel” to cancel the upload and exit the SSL Manager.
Checking your secure site
SSL Manager allows you to verify if your certificate has been set up.
To verify that your certificate has been set up, select the “Secure site status” radio button and click the “Next” button. The status of your secure site as well as a link to your secure website will be displayed.
Click the “Back” return to the SSL Manager main page.
You may also visit your website after domain propagation, to see if you’re loading an HTTPs page.
