What is Let's Encrypt SSL?

Let's Encrypt is a free, automated, and open Certificate Authority (CA) for websites. Its purpose is to make the internet more secure by encrypting all transmission on the web. Let's Encrypt certificates are automatically renewed without manual intervention.

Advantages of Let's Encrypt SSL Certificate

It's free.
It has automatic installation and renewal support.
It is widely supported by browsers.
It improves your website's SEO ranking.
It ensures data security and privacy.

How to Install Let's Encrypt SSL?

The installation method varies depending on the server and control panel you are using. Below, I have explained the most common installation scenarios.

1. Let's Encrypt SSL Installation via cPanel

Log in to cPanel.
Go to the "SSL/TLS Status" section.
Select your domain name and click the "Run AutoSSL" button.
The certificate will be automatically installed and activated.

2. Let's Encrypt SSL Installation via Plesk Panel

Log in to Plesk Panel.
Go to the "Websites & Domains" section.
Select your domain name, click the "Let's Encrypt" option.
Select your domain name and optional www prefix to install the certificate.

3. Let's Encrypt SSL Installation via SSH (Linux Server)

Connect to the server via SSH:
```
ssh root@server-ip-address
```

Install the Certbot tool (for Ubuntu):

apt update
apt install certbot python3-certbot-apache

Give the command to get the SSL Certificate:
```
certbot --apache
```
Select your domain name and complete the SSL installation.

Automatic SSL Renewal

Let's Encrypt certificates are valid for 90 days. Certbot sets up CronJob to automate the renewal.

If you still want to check:

certbot renew --dry-run

Possible Errors and Solutions During Let's Encrypt

"Failed authorization procedure" Error: Your domain name is not correctly directed to the server. Check the DNS records.
"Rate limit" Error: The limit has been exceeded because you tried to renew the certificate too often. Wait a while and try again.
"Connection refused" Error: Ports 80 or 443 are not open. Check the server security settings.

Impact on SEO

Securing with HTTPS gives your website a plus in Google rankings. Sites that switch to SSL using Let's Encrypt:

Increase the chance of ranking higher in search engines.
Gain visitor trust.
Provide GDPR compliance through data encryption.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How long is the Let's Encrypt certificate valid?

It is valid for 90 days and can be renewed automatically.

Do I need a hosting panel for Let's Encrypt installation?

No. You can install it manually on any Linux server with SSH access.

Can I get a Wildcard (*.example.com) SSL with Let's Encrypt?

Yes, you can get Wildcard SSL using DNS validation (DNS-01).

Does the Let's Encrypt certificate work in all browsers?

Yes, Let's Encrypt is supported by all modern browsers.

Do I have to pay with Let's Encrypt?

No, it's completely free.

Conclusion

Let's Encrypt SSL certificate is the easiest, fastest, and most economical way to secure your website. It can be easily installed with various methods such as cPanel, Plesk, SSH. By increasing security with SSL, you can improve the visitor experience and increase your SEO performance.

Even if you use WordPress, Joomla, or any kind of CMS, it is now very easy to move your site to HTTPS with Let's Encrypt certificate!

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