Common Mistakes When Setting Up SSL on WordPress Niche Sites

Updated 2026-05-28 · Hosting Reviews

Common Mistakes Setting Up SSL on WordPress Niche Sites

When you’re building a WordPress niche site, SSL is non‑negotiable. Yet many beginners still make the same errors that break the HTTPS transition. Below are the most frequent pitfalls, why they happen, and how to avoid them while keeping costs low.

Choose the Right Hosting Tier for SSL

SSL support is baked into most hosting plans, but the speed and reliability of the server matter. For a niche site that expects modest traffic, a shared plan from a reputable host is usually enough. If you plan to scale or need extra isolation, consider a VPS or cloud option.

• Shared hosting – $3–$15/month, great for beginners, includes free SSL on most plans.
• VPS – $20–$40/month, more control and better performance.
• Cloud hosting – $30–$60/month, elastic scaling for high traffic.

Hostinger’s shared plans start at $1.39/month and come with a free, automatically installed SSL, making it a perfect starter option.

Use the One‑Click WordPress Installer

Many hosts offer a one‑click WordPress setup that pre‑configures HTTPS, database, and file permissions. Skipping this step often leads to permission errors or missing .htaccess rules. When you sign up with Hostinger, the installer will ask if you want SSL enabled – tick it and you’re done.

Force HTTPS in WordPress Settings

After installation, log into your admin panel. Go to Settings > General and set both the WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) to https:// instead of http://. Forgetting to do this will let visitors see the “Not Secure” warning, even if the certificate is valid.

Update Hard‑Coded URLs in Themes and Plugins

Some themes and plugins still reference http:// in their files or database. Use the Better Search Replace plugin to find and replace all instances with https://. Don’t forget to clear any caching plugins afterward.

Install an SSL‑Friendly Plugin

The Really Simple SSL plugin detects your certificate and adds the necessary .htaccess redirects automatically. It’s free and works with almost every host. Enable it after you’ve forced HTTPS in the WordPress settings.

Check for Mixed Content Issues

Mixed content occurs when a page loads over HTTPS but pulls images, scripts, or stylesheets from HTTP. Use the browser console or a tool like Why No Padlock to identify problems. Fix them by updating URLs in the media library or using a plugin that rewrites URLs on the fly.

Test the SSL Setup Before Launch

1. Use SSL Labs to scan your domain for certificate health.
2. Verify that the http:// version redirects to https://.
3. Check the mobile view to ensure no mixed content errors appear.

Once all checks pass, your niche site is secure and ready for visitors.

Speed Optimization Basics

SSL adds a small overhead, but caching and minification can mitigate it. Install a caching plugin like WP Rocket (paid) or W3 Total Cache (free). Combine CSS and JS files, enable GZIP, and use a CDN such as Cloudflare for global delivery.

Backups and Migrations

Use a managed backup service like UpdraftPlus to schedule daily snapshots. If you ever need to move your site, the same plugin handles migration with minimal downtime.

FAQ

Can I get a free SSL certificate with Hostinger?

Yes. Hostinger includes a free SSL certificate with every plan, automatically installed via the WordPress one‑click installer.

What happens if I forget to force HTTPS in WordPress?

Visitors will see a “Not Secure” warning, and search engines may downgrade your ranking. Update the General Settings and run Really Simple SSL to fix it quickly.

Will a free SSL certificate expire?

Most free certificates, like Let’s Encrypt, expire every 90 days. Hostinger renews them automatically, so you never have to worry about expiration.