Enable Cloudflare Flexible SSL for GoDaddy Managed WordPress: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction: One of the essential steps in enhancing the security and performance of your website is implementing an SSL certificate. This guide will walk you through the process of setting up Cloudflare Flexible SSL for your GoDaddy-managed WordPress hosting. Follow these detailed steps to ensure a secure and optimized online presence.

Step 1: Sign Up for Cloudflare

Before we begin, make sure you have a Cloudflare account. If you do not already have one, visit Cloudflare's website and create a new account. Once you have signed up, you can proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Configure DNS Records

After creating your Cloudflare account, the next step is to import and verify your DNS records. Ensure all the records are correctly configured. If necessary, update any existing records to align with your new Cloudflare setup.

Step 3: Update Nameservers

Cloudflare will provide you with specific nameservers for your domain. To complete the setup, log into your GoDaddy account and navigate to your domain settings. Replace the existing nameservers with the ones provided by Cloudflare. After making these changes, save them and give your domain some time to propagate.

Step 4: Enable Flexible SSL

Once your nameservers have successfully propagated, log into your Cloudflare account. From the Cloudflare dashboard, select your website and navigate to the SSL/TLS settings. Choose the Flexible SSL option to enable it for your site.

Step 5: Update WordPress Settings

In the next step, you need to update your WordPress site's settings to reflect the new HTTPS URL. Go to your WordPress admin dashboard and navigate to Settings General. Update both the WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) to use the https:// protocol.

To help manage SSL settings effectively, consider installing a plugin like Really Simple SSL. This plugin will assist in ensuring proper SSL implementation and redirecting all HTTP traffic to HTTPS.

Step 6: Test Your Site

Once you have completed the above steps, visit your site to ensure it is loading correctly over HTTPS. Look for the padlock icon within the browser's address bar to confirm the secure connection. Additionally, use browser developer tools or online services like WhyNoPadlock to check for any mixed content issues. HTTP resources should not be loaded on an HTTPS page.

Additional Considerations

Caching: Clear your caches in both Cloudflare and WordPress after making these changes to ensure everything is properly updated.
Security Settings: Review Cloudflare's security settings to optimize your site's protection level.

Following these steps ensures your GoDaddy-managed WordPress site has Cloudflare Flexible SSL enabled, providing enhanced security and better user experience. If you encounter any issues during the process, refer to the official documentation or contact the support teams at GoDaddy and Cloudflare for assistance.