What is an SSL certificate?

An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate encrypts the connection between your website and its visitors. SSL certificates enable HTTPS (the padlock icon in the browser address bar) and are essential for:

  • Security: Protecting sensitive data like passwords, payment details, and personal information
  • Trust: Visitors see a padlock icon and "Secure" label in their browser
  • SEO: Google ranks HTTPS sites higher than HTTP sites
  • Compliance: Many payment processors and regulations require HTTPS
  • Browser warnings: Modern browsers warn users when visiting non-HTTPS sites

All 0724 Hosting web and reseller hosting accounts include free Let's Encrypt SSL certificates with automatic renewal.

Let's Encrypt vs commercial SSL certificates

Let's Encrypt SSL certificates are free, automated, and trusted by all browsers. For most websites, Let's Encrypt is the best choice:

  • Let's Encrypt (Free): Trusted by all browsers, auto-renewing, suitable for most websites
  • Commercial SSL (Paid): Offers extended validation (EV) certificates with company name in the address bar, longer validity periods, and warranty protection

Unless you specifically need an EV certificate for a high-security or e-commerce website, Let's Encrypt is recommended.

Installing a Let's Encrypt SSL certificate

Step 1: Ensure your domain points to 0724 Hosting

Before installing SSL, your domain must point to 0724 Hosting nameservers and be resolving correctly. Verify this by visiting your website. If your domain does not load or shows an error, SSL installation will fail.

If you recently changed nameservers, wait 24-48 hours for DNS propagation to complete before installing SSL.

Step 2: Access SSL Certificates in DirectAdmin

  1. Log in to DirectAdmin
  2. On the dashboard, find Advanced Features or Security
  3. Click SSL Certificates or Let's Encrypt
  4. You will see the SSL certificate management page

Step 3: Request a Let's Encrypt certificate

  1. Click Request Let's Encrypt Certificate or Get Automated Certificate
  2. Select the domains and subdomains you want to secure:
    • Check yourdomain.co.za (your main domain)
    • Check www.yourdomain.co.za (www subdomain, highly recommended)
    • Check any other subdomains you want to secure (e.g., mail.yourdomain.co.za, shop.yourdomain.co.za)
  3. Leave Key Size as default (2048 or 4096 bits)
  4. Click Request Certificate or Save

Step 4: Wait for certificate installation

DirectAdmin will contact Let's Encrypt, verify your domain ownership, and install the certificate. This usually takes 15–60 seconds. You will see a success message when complete.

Step 5: Verify SSL is working

  1. Visit your website using https:// (e.g., https://yourdomain.co.za)
  2. Look for the padlock icon in the address bar
  3. Click the padlock to view certificate details and confirm it is issued by Let's Encrypt

If you see a security warning or certificate error, see the troubleshooting section below.

Forcing HTTPS (redirecting HTTP to HTTPS)

After installing SSL, visitors can still access your site via http:// (unsecure). To force all traffic to use HTTPS, add a redirect:

Method 1: Using .htaccess (recommended for most sites)

  1. Go to DirectAdmin File Manager
  2. Enable Show Hidden Files
  3. Navigate to public_html
  4. Find the .htaccess file (create one if it does not exist)
  5. Edit .htaccess and add these lines at the top:
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}/$1 [R=301,L]
  1. Save the file
  2. Visit your website via http:// to verify it redirects to https://

Method 2: Force HTTPS in WordPress

If you use WordPress:

  1. Log in to WordPress admin
  2. Go to Settings → General
  3. Update WordPress Address (URL) to https://yourdomain.co.za
  4. Update Site Address (URL) to https://yourdomain.co.za
  5. Click Save Changes
  6. Install a plugin like Really Simple SSL to fix mixed content warnings

SSL certificate renewal

Let's Encrypt certificates are valid for 90 days and auto-renew automatically. DirectAdmin checks for renewal eligibility daily and renews certificates approximately 30 days before expiration.

You do not need to manually renew Let's Encrypt certificates. If a certificate fails to renew, you will receive an email notification. Contact support if you receive a renewal failure notice.

Adding SSL to additional domains and subdomains

To secure additional domains or subdomains:

  1. Go to SSL Certificates in DirectAdmin
  2. Click Request Let's Encrypt Certificate
  3. Check the domains/subdomains you want to add
  4. Click Request Certificate

The certificate will be updated to include the new domains. You can secure up to 100 domains and subdomains on a single Let's Encrypt certificate.

Installing a commercial SSL certificate

If you purchased a commercial SSL certificate from a certificate authority (CA):

Step 1: Generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR)

  1. Go to SSL Certificates in DirectAdmin
  2. Click Create Certificate Request
  3. Enter your details:
    • Country: ZA (for South Africa)
    • Province: Your province (e.g., Western Cape)
    • City: Your city (e.g., Johannesburg, Durban, or Cape Town)
    • Company Name: Your business name
    • Division: Department (e.g., IT)
    • Email: Your email address
    • Common Name: Your domain (e.g., yourdomain.co.za)
  4. Click Generate
  5. Copy the CSR (the text block beginning with -----BEGIN CERTIFICATE REQUEST-----)

Step 2: Submit CSR to your certificate authority

  1. Go to your SSL provider's website
  2. Start the certificate purchase or activation process
  3. Paste your CSR when prompted
  4. Complete domain validation (usually via email or DNS record)
  5. Download the certificate files when issued

Step 3: Install the certificate in DirectAdmin

  1. Go to SSL Certificates in DirectAdmin
  2. Click Paste a pre-generated certificate and key
  3. Paste your certificate, private key, and CA bundle:
    • Certificate: Your certificate file (.crt or .pem)
    • Private Key: Generated when you created the CSR (stored in DirectAdmin)
    • CA Bundle: Intermediate certificates from your SSL provider
  4. Click Save
  5. Verify SSL is working by visiting https://yourdomain.co.za

Viewing and managing installed certificates

To view details about your SSL certificates:

  1. Go to SSL Certificates in DirectAdmin
  2. You will see a list of installed certificates with:
    • Domains covered
    • Expiration date
    • Certificate issuer (Let's Encrypt, etc.)
  3. Click a certificate to view full details or delete it

Troubleshooting SSL issues

SSL installation fails: "Domain validation failed"

If Let's Encrypt cannot validate your domain:

  • Verify your domain is pointing to 0724 Hosting nameservers
  • Ensure your domain resolves correctly (visit it in a browser)
  • Check that there are no .htaccess rules blocking access to /.well-known/
  • Wait for DNS propagation if you recently changed nameservers
  • Contact support if the issue persists

"Your connection is not private" or "Certificate error"

If visitors see this warning:

  • Verify SSL is installed correctly in DirectAdmin
  • Ensure the certificate covers both yourdomain.co.za and www.yourdomain.co.za
  • Clear your browser cache and try again
  • Check the certificate expiration date (expired certificates cause this error)
  • Contact support if the certificate is installed but still shows errors

"Mixed content" warning (partial encryption)

If your site loads via HTTPS but shows a warning about mixed content:

  • Your website is loading some resources (images, CSS, JavaScript) via http:// instead of https://
  • Update your website code to use relative URLs or https:// URLs
  • For WordPress, use the Really Simple SSL plugin to fix mixed content automatically
  • Inspect the browser console for details on which resources are causing the warning

SSL certificate not auto-renewing

If you receive a renewal failure email:

  • Ensure your domain is still pointing to 0724 Hosting
  • Verify DirectAdmin has permission to renew (no custom SSL settings blocking it)
  • Try manually requesting a new Let's Encrypt certificate
  • Contact support if renewal continues to fail

SSL best practices

  • Secure both domain and www: Always include www.yourdomain.co.za in your SSL certificate
  • Force HTTPS: Redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS using .htaccess
  • Update internal links: Change all website links to use https:// or relative URLs
  • Monitor expiration: Check your SSL certificate expiration date periodically (Let's Encrypt auto-renews, but commercial certificates do not)
  • Test after installation: Visit your website via HTTPS and verify the padlock icon appears
  • Enable HSTS: For advanced security, enable HTTP Strict Transport Security (contact support for assistance)

SSL for subdomains

To secure a subdomain (e.g., shop.yourdomain.co.za or mail.yourdomain.co.za):

  1. Ensure the subdomain is created in DirectAdmin
  2. Go to SSL Certificates
  3. Request a Let's Encrypt certificate and check the subdomain in the list
  4. Click Request Certificate
  5. The subdomain will now be accessible via HTTPS

Wildcard SSL certificates

A wildcard SSL certificate secures your domain and all subdomains (e.g., *.yourdomain.co.za). To request a wildcard Let's Encrypt certificate:

  1. Go to SSL Certificates in DirectAdmin
  2. Look for an option to request a wildcard certificate (availability depends on DirectAdmin version)
  3. If not available, request individual certificates for each subdomain
  4. Alternatively, contact support to set up a wildcard certificate via command line

Getting help with SSL

If you need assistance installing SSL certificates, troubleshooting certificate errors, or configuring HTTPS redirects, contact 0724 Hosting support. We can help with:

  • Installing Let's Encrypt or commercial SSL certificates
  • Fixing certificate errors and mixed content warnings
  • Configuring HTTPS redirects
  • Setting up wildcard certificates
  • Resolving SSL renewal issues