How to Setup CloudFlare Flexible SSL on WordPress

SSL certificate (HTTPS) is an important SEO ranking factorand Google also announced in 2014, the SSL certificate would be considered as a major factor in search results. Using HTTPS certificate, you can easily increase your search ranking. Today in this article we will tell youHow to Setup CloudFlare Flexible SSL on WordPress for free.CloudFlare Flexible SSL provides you free https certificate for Lifetime. Furthermore, It also increases the security of your blog.

CloudFlare comes with a different pricing plan. You can enable free https certificate on your blog or website using its free plan, and you will not need to spend money on it.

Also check out

• What is Cloudflare CDN and what are its benefits
• How to Setup Cloudflare CDN for WordPress Blog
• Pros and Cons of Free CloudFlare CDN

How to Setup CloudFlare Flexible SSL for WordPress

To enable CloudFlare Flexible SSL on WordPress site, follow our guide. If you have any kind of problem then you can tell us in the comment box. We will do our best to help you.

So let’s start …..

1. Setup Cloudflare

First, visit CloudFlare site and create your free account on it and enter your website’s URL.

Cloudflare will scan records of your entire domain. It takes a few seconds to complete the process. After scanning, a new page will open where you will have to click on the Continue button.

In this page, choose the Cloudflare pricing plan. Cloudflare’s Basic plan is completely free. You can also choose a paid plan to get more great features.

After that, Cloudflare gives two DNS name servers, You will need to update both the DNS nameserver by visiting the Domain Name Management Dashboard. After updating, it may take up to 24 hours to live.

Now, you have successfully setup Cloudflare for your website.

2. Enable SSL

After setting up your domain, go to Crypto and SelectFlexible SSL from SSL section (Crypto >>Flexible SSL)and configure some essential settings. You can see in the screenshot below.

Here you have requested the SSL certificate for your site. This will activate within 10 – 15 minutes. However, Cloudflare takes 24 hours to enable SSL certificate on your site.

3. Install Plugin on your WordPress site

Now you will need to install and activate two plugins in your site.

• CloudFlare Flexible SSL
• SSL Insecure Content Fixer

4. Configure plugin

CloudFlare flexible SSL is a plug and play plugin. You do not need any type of setting in it. While you have to do a setting in SSL Insecure Content Fixer.

First of all, install the SSL Insecure Content Fixer plugin in your blog and go to its settings page and select“HTTP_CF_VISITOR (Cloudflare Flexible SSL); deprecated, since Cloudflare sends HTTP_X_FORWARDED_PROTO now”.

Now click on the Save changes button.

5. Create a Page Rule

Again visit your Cloudflare account and go toPage Rulesand click onCreate Page Rule.Here enter your website URL with (*) mark. After that click onSave and Deploy.

If you change your WordPress address (URL) into HTTPS:// then this will break your site. But if you change your site address (URL) into HTTPS:// then there will be no problem. Activate the CloudFlare Flexible plugin before changing the site address (URL).

Congratulation! free SSL certificate has been enabled on your site. Now visit your WordPress site and check that green lock is appearing before your blog URL. If it is visible then it is okay and works fine.

Check Cloudflare Flexible SSL is working

You can use third-party SSL checker website (SSL Shopper and SSL Labs) to check HTTPS / SSL certificates are working properly on your site.

More resources

• Pros and Cons of using SSL Certificate
• Top Free SSL Certificate Providers
• Know These Things Before Buying SSL Certificate

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