Configure Let’s Encrypt SSL on Ubuntu with Certbot

Did you know that over 94% of Google’s search results on page one use HTTPS? In today’s digital-first landscape, SSL certificates are not just about encryption—they are about trust, SEO rankings, and user confidence. For businesses running websites on cloud hosting environments, having a secure server is no longer optional; it’s a necessity.

Let’s Encrypt, a free and automated Certificate Authority (CA), has made SSL accessible to everyone, from small businesses to enterprise-level cloud deployments. Paired with Certbot, an open-source client, the process of installing SSL on Ubuntu-based servers becomes seamless, cost-effective, and reliable.

In this blog, we will walk you through how to configure Let’s Encrypt SSL on Ubuntu using Certbot, ensuring your website benefits from secure communication, improved search rankings, and better performance in a cloud hosting ecosystem.

Understanding SSL and Its Role in Cloud Hosting

Before jumping into the configuration process, it’s important to understand why SSL holds so much significance in the world of cloud and server hosting.

Encryption – SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) ensures that all data transferred between your website and its visitors is encrypted, preventing cyber threats like man-in-the-middle attacks.

Authentication – It validates your website’s identity, ensuring users are connecting to the right server.

SEO Advantage – Search engines prioritize HTTPS websites in rankings, making SSL crucial for visibility.

Trust Factor – A padlock symbol in the browser reassures visitors that your website is secure.

For organizations leveraging cloud hosting, SSL acts as a protective shield, enhancing both security and performance while ensuring compliance with modern web standards.

Step 1: Preparing Your Ubuntu Server for SSL Installation

To begin, you must have:

An Ubuntu server (20.04 or 22.04 is recommended).

A domain name pointing to your server’s public IP.

Root or sudo access to the server.

For cloud hosting providers like AWS, Google Cloud, Azure, or Cyfuture Cloud, ensure your domain’s DNS records are properly configured and propagated.

Update System Packages

Before installing Certbot, update your server to avoid compatibility issues:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Installing Certbot on Ubuntu

Certbot is the recommended tool to obtain and manage Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates. It automates the certificate issuance and renewal process, saving time and minimizing human error.

Install Certbot and Nginx Plugin

For websites running on Nginx:

sudo apt install certbot python3-certbot-nginx -y

For Apache:

sudo apt install certbot python3-certbot-apache -y

If you’re hosting applications in a cloud environment, ensure that your firewall rules allow traffic on ports 80 (HTTP) and 443 (HTTPS).

Step 3: Obtaining a Let’s Encrypt SSL Certificate

Once Certbot is installed, you can issue a certificate for your domain.

For Nginx:

sudo certbot --nginx -d yourdomain.com -d www.yourdomain.com

For Apache:

sudo certbot --apache -d yourdomain.com -d www.yourdomain.com

Certbot will:

Verify domain ownership.

Automatically configure your web server.

Redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS for better security.

Step 4: Verifying SSL Installation

After installation, test your SSL certificate:

sudo certbot certificates

You can also use online tools like SSL Labs’ SSL Test to ensure your certificate is properly installed and recognized globally.

Step 5: Automating SSL Renewal

One of the best features of Let’s Encrypt is its short 90-day certificate validity. Certbot makes renewal effortless through automation.

Enable Automatic Renewal:

sudo systemctl enable certbot.timer

Test Renewal Process:

sudo certbot renew --dry-run

This ensures that your SSL certificate will always remain up to date without manual intervention—a major advantage for cloud-hosted servers running multiple workloads.

Why Cloud Hosting and SSL Work Hand-in-Hand

For businesses leveraging cloud hosting, SSL is not just about security—it’s about performance and scalability. When combined with:

Load Balancers

Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)

Multi-Server Architecture

SSL helps maintain encryption across multiple servers without affecting speed or uptime. Cloud platforms like Cyfuture Cloud, AWS, or Azure integrate smoothly with Certbot for enterprise-level SSL management.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

DNS Issues – Ensure your DNS records are updated and propagated.

Firewall Restrictions – Allow ports 80 and 443 for traffic.

Web Server Conflicts – If another process is using port 80, stop it before running Certbot.

Conclusion: Securing Your Digital Future

Configuring Let’s Encrypt SSL with Certbot on an Ubuntu server is one of the most effective ways to secure your website. Whether you're hosting on a single dedicated server or leveraging scalable cloud hosting, SSL protects your users’ data, boosts search rankings, and enhances trust.

In an age where cybersecurity and cloud performance define success, adopting SSL is no longer optional—it’s a necessity. With Let’s Encrypt and Certbot, achieving this level of security is both simple and free, empowering businesses to thrive in an increasingly digital world.