Overview #
Securing your website with an SSL certificate and forcing HTTPS is essential for protecting user data, improving trust, and avoiding browser security warnings. When using Cloudflare, you can quickly activate SSL and redirect all traffic through HTTPS—without needing to configure it directly on your server or hosting platform.
This guide will walk you through how to activate SSL and enforce HTTPS using Cloudflare.
Step 1: Log in to Cloudflare #
- Go to https://dash.cloudflare.com
- Log in with your Cloudflare account credentials
- Click on the domain name you want to configure
Step 2: Activate SSL in Cloudflare #
- In your Cloudflare dashboard, click on the “SSL/TLS” tab
- Under Overview, choose the SSL mode:
- Full (Recommended) – Encrypts traffic between Cloudflare and your server using a valid SSL certificate
- Full (Strict) – Same as Full, but requires a valid certificate on your server (best for security)
- Avoid using Flexible, as it only secures traffic between the browser and Cloudflare, not your server
- Save your settings. Your SSL certificate will automatically be issued and applied by Cloudflare (usually within minutes).
Step 3: Force All Traffic to HTTPS #
- Still under the SSL/TLS tab, click on “Edge Certificates”
- Scroll down to Always Use HTTPS
- Toggle this setting ON – this ensures that all visitors are redirected to the secure HTTPS version of your site
- (Optional) Enable Automatic HTTPS Rewrites to help fix mixed content issues by rewriting HTTP URLs to HTTPS when possible
Step 4: Test Your HTTPS Configuration #
✅ Visit your site using https://yourdomain.com
✅ Make sure there are no browser security warnings
✅ Confirm the padlock icon is visible in the address bar
✅ Check for any mixed content warnings (HTTP elements on HTTPS pages) using browser dev tools or tools like Why No Padlock?
Step 5: Update WordPress and Settings (If Applicable) #
If your website is built with WordPress:
- Go to Settings → General
- Update the WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) to use https://
- Save changes
- Use a plugin like Really Simple SSL to help automatically detect and fix insecure content
Benefits of Enabling SSL and HTTPS #
- 🔒 Secures data between the browser and your site
- 🚫 Prevents “Not Secure” browser warnings
- 🔍 Improves SEO rankings (Google prioritizes HTTPS)
- ✅ Builds trust with visitors and customers
Conclusion #
Activating SSL and forcing HTTPS using Cloudflare is a fast and effective way to secure your website. It protects user data, prevents security warnings, and improves your credibility online. Be sure to test your site after enabling HTTPS and resolve any mixed content issues to ensure full security coverage.
