Knowledgebase

An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate ensures that the connection between your website and your visitors is encrypted and secure.

Why SSL is Important

• ✅ Protects data sent between your site and visitors
• ✅ Enables HTTPS (https://) instead of HTTP (http://)
• ✅ Displays a secure padlock icon in browsers
• ✅ Essential for forms, logins, and online payments

👉 Using HTTPS is now considered best practice for all websites.

Free SSL with Firstserv

Firstserv provides free SSL certificates via AutoSSL, which you can manage directly in:

• ✅ cPanel
• ✅ (or automatically applied on most setups)

How to Issue an SSL Certificate (cPanel)

Step 1: Access cPanel

You can access cPanel by:

• Logging in via the Firstserv Client Area, or
• Visiting:

  https://yourdomain.com/cpanel
  

Step 2: Open SSL/TLS Status

1. Go to the Security section
2. Click SSL/TLS Status

Step 3: Run AutoSSL

• Click Run AutoSSL

✅ This will issue SSL certificates for all eligible domains and subdomains

AutoSSL Overview

• ✅ Runs automatically once per day
• ✅ Renew certificates before they expire
• ✅ Replaces unsupported or expired certificates

Excluding Domains from AutoSSL

AutoSSL will try to issue certificates for all domains and subdomains.

When You May Need to Exclude a Domain

• A subdomain points to an external service (e.g. email provider)
• DNS for that subdomain does not point to your Firstserv hosting

How to Exclude a Domain

1. Go to cPanel → SSL/TLS Status
2. Find the domain with errors
3. Click:

   Exclude from AutoSSL
   

✅ This prevents repeated warnings and failed checks

Fixing Failed SSL Issues

If you want SSL on a subdomain that fails:

• ✅ Ensure a valid DNS record points to your server
• ✅ Wait for DNS propagation
• ✅ Re-run AutoSSL

Using HTTPS on Your Website

New Websites

If you’re setting up a new site:

• ✅ Simply install using:

  https://yourdomain.com
  

• No further changes are usually required

Existing Websites (HTTP → HTTPS)

If your site is already live using HTTP:

• You may need to update your site settings

For WordPress

Options include:

• Using plugins (e.g. “Really Simple SSL”)
• Updating WordPress settings and database manually

✅ For best results, consider asking a developer to ensure all resources load securely

Summary

• SSL secures your website with HTTPS
• Firstserv provides free SSL via AutoSSL
• Certificates can be issued via cPanel
• AutoSSL runs and renews certificates automatically
• Some domains may need to be excluded if they point externally

Need Help?

If you’re having issues with SSL or need help enabling HTTPS across your website, the Firstserv support team is always happy to assist.