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Set up an SSL certificate

Free HTTPS via Let's Encrypt.

An SSL certificate encrypts the connection between the visitor and the website. You recognise it by the padlock symbol in the browser and by https:// in the address. Let's Encrypt issues such certificates free of charge. They are valid for 90 days and renew automatically in Plesk.

Procedure

  1. Check DNS: The domain must point to the IP of the webspace (A record, see DNS records). Let's Encrypt checks the domain via this address. If it points elsewhere, issuing the certificate fails.
  2. Request the certificate: In Plesk, select the domain under Websites & Domains, then open SSL/TLS certificates and choose Let's Encrypt.
  3. Redirect to HTTPS: Under Websites & Domains → domain → Hosting settings, enable the redirect from HTTP to HTTPS. This way no visitor lands on the unencrypted version.
  4. Check: Look for the padlock symbol in the browser. Warnings about "mixed content" mean that some images or scripts are still loaded via http://.
Issuing only works if the domain already points to the webspace. If the DNS change has not taken effect yet, wait a few hours and try again. Too many failed attempts in a short time block Let's Encrypt for a while.