How to Force HTTPS on Your Website

Redirecting HTTP to HTTPS

Once your SSL certificate is installed, you should force all visitors to use the secure HTTPS version of your site. This protects your visitors and improves your Google rankings.

Method 1: WordPress Plugin (Easiest)

1. Install the Really Simple SSL plugin in WordPress
2. Activate it
3. Click Go ahead, activate SSL!
4. Done - the plugin handles the redirect automatically

Method 2: .htaccess Redirect

1. Log in to cPanel > File Manager
2. Navigate to public_html
3. Open .htaccess (enable Show Hidden Files in Settings if you cannot see it)
4. Add this code at the very top of the file:

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]

Method 3: cPanel Redirect

1. Log in to cPanel
2. In the Domains section, click Redirects
3. Set Type to Permanent (301)
4. Enter http://yourdomain.co.za in the from field
5. Enter https://yourdomain.co.za in the to field
6. Click Add

Testing Your HTTPS Redirect

After setting up the redirect, visit http://yourdomain.co.za (without the 's') and confirm it automatically redirects to https://yourdomain.co.za.