How to Install an SSL Certificate Using “SSL It!” Extension on Plesk?

Setting up an SSL certificate on your website is crucial. It protects your visitors’ information and builds credibility for your online business. Usually, this is done manually. However, Plesk and its “SSL It!” extension have made this easier.

This guide will walk you through installing an SSL certificate using Plesk's "SSL It!" extension.

What is "SSL It!"?

"SSL It!" is a powerful extension for Plesk that automates the management of SSL certificates. It supports various SSL certificates, including: 

- Let's Encrypt

- Commercial certificates.

This extension makes protecting your website easier by allowing for easy navigation and management of SSL certificates.

Guide to Installing SSL Certificate Using "SSL It!"

Step 1: Install the "SSL It!" Extension

- Log in to your Plesk control panel.

- On the left-hand sidebar, click on "Extensions".

- Type "SSL It!" in the search bar and press Enter.

- Find the "SSL It!" in the search results.

- Click "Install".

Step 2: Create a Certificate Signing Request (CSR)

The next step is to generate a CSR. The CA should forward it to obtain your SSL certificate.

- Go to "Websites & Domains".

- Select the domain for which you want to install the SSL certificate.

- Click on the "SSL It!" icon.

- Click on “Advanced Settings” and then “Add SSL Certificate”.

- Fill in the required information.

- Click "Request".

Step 3: Obtain the SSL Certificate

The process will vary slightly depending on the type of SSL certificate (free Let's Encrypt or commercial).

For Let's Encrypt

- If you're using Let's Encrypt, "SSL It!" will automatically handle the certificate request and installation.

- Click “Get it free” and follow the prompts.

For Commercial Certificates

- If you're using a commercial SSL certificate, take the CSR generated in the previous step and submit it to your chosen Certificate Authority.

- After validation, the CA will provide you with the SSL certificate files.

Step 4: Install the SSL Certificate

- Return to "SSL It!" in Plesk. If you received certificate files from your CA, click “Add SSL Certificate”, name your certificate, and then upload the certificate files provided by the CA (usually a .crt file along with the CA bundle).

- Once uploaded, select the certificate from the list under "SSL/TLS Certificates".

Step 5: Secure Your Website

- In "SSL It!" navigate to your domain and select the certificate you installed from the drop-down menu.

- Ensure that the “Enable SSL/TLS support” option is checked. You might also want to check the “Permanent SEO-safe 301 redirect from HTTP to HTTPS” option to automatically redirect traffic to your site's secure version.

Step 6: Verify SSL Installation

- Visit your website using https://

- Ensure you see a padlock icon in the browser’s address bar. It indicates the active SSL certificate.

- Use online tools like SSL Labs’ SSL Test to verify the certificate is correctly installed and configured.

Troubleshooting Tips

DNS Propagation

After implementing a new SSL certificate, DNS changes may take time to be reflected in the system. If you cannot get the SSL to work immediately, you should wait a few hours before trying again.

Mixed Content

Ensure all website resources (images, scripts, etc.) are loaded over HTTPS to avoid mixed content warnings.

To Sum it Up!

“SSL It!” is an extension for Plesk. It allows the installation of an SSL certificate to be a simple process. Thus improving the security of your website. By so doing, you can make your website secure and, at the same time, make it in line with modern website standards, which will help make the users have confidence in your website and possibly help you rank high in the search engine results. Whether a user is deciding to use a Let’s Encrypt free certificate or to go for a paid one, “SSL It!” makes the process easy to manage.