Install a Let's Encrypt certificate on your Web Hosting (cPanel) account
Let's Encrypt is a third party security service that offers free SSL certificates. Using SSL (Secure Socket Layer) guarantees a secure connection when customers visit your website. You can use a Let's Encrypt certificate on your GoDaddy Linux Hosting account, but you need to manually configure the SSL certificate.
Warning: Let's Encrypt certificates are only valid for 90 days. GoDaddy does not support auto-install on Web Hosting (cPanel) accounts, so you need to repeat this process every 90 days or your website will show a security error.
- Generate your certificate signing request (CSR). Let's Encrypt recommends generating your certificate through Certbot but this is not supported on GoDaddy's Web Hosting (cPanel). Instead, you will need to use a third party client to generate your Let's Encrypt certificate. GoDaddy and Let’s Encrypt do not control or review these third party clients and cannot guarantee their safety or reliability. You can find a list of available options under the Browser section.
- Verify domain - You must show ownership of your domain through a verification process. The third party client you use to generate the certificate will show you the different ways you can verify your domain--we recommend either file upload verification or a DNS update.
- Install your certificate and private key in cPanel.
- Renew your certificate every 90 days - A Let’s Encrypt certificate is only valid for 90 days, so you need to generate a new certificate before the previous one expires.
Note: As a courtesy, we provide information about how to use certain third-party products, but we do not endorse or directly support third-party products and we are not responsible for the functions or reliability of such products.
More info
- Redirect HTTP to HTTPS automatically
- HTTPS is a security must-have
- Want GoDaddy to install and maintain your SSL for you? Consider purchasing a Managed SSL.
