SSL certification (how to obtain) | Homestead Customer Community

Dear Customer Service, Apparently Google will be doing the following: In 4 weeks Google is making a change in their Chrome browser that will mark every website that does not have an SSL certificate as "Not secure." It will say "Not secure" right in the URL bar at the top of the browser. Would you let me know how I can obtain SSL certification. Thank you, Ray

raymond2122

70 Points

Posted 2 weeks ago

2 weeks ago

Drew N, Community Manager

255,080 Points

If you use the new Websitebuilder or Sitebuilder Plus, you can do this right now using these instructions. If you use Sitebuilder desktop, then we are still working on a solution. You can publish the site with Sitebuilder Plus and use this method, but you would not be able to use Sitebuilder desktop until we have a working solution.

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1 person likes this

2 weeks ago

6,510 Points

Hello Drew -

It has been a while! Hope you are well? I have so many questions regarding the 'SSL' and HS/BC websites. Received an email from BC today about going 'whole site https' and see it is set up in my dashboard there (on BC). I know we have discussed this in the past. Is it now truly available to HS customers there? (I know in the past there was an issue on HS side preventing us from utilizing that feature in BC.)

Now I see your instructions (available for both Sitebuilder Plus and Website Builder) and seems straightforward (truly do not fully understand the DNS part and confident you will be able to assist).

I have been planning to 're-build' my main (....online.com) website on the new Websitebuilder but was very hesitant regarding SEO Ranking (loss) and re-indexing.

So here is a multitude of questions and maybe some are irrelevant.

I see there are redirects available in the new Websitebuilder. If I build the new site (obviously I have to change the domain name while building it...correct?) can I use the 'redirect' function for pages in the Sitebuilder Plus that I will not be building out in the new Websitebuilder? Or do I need to create those pages on the new platform first?
At what point do I create the cloudflare account (after the new Websitebuilder site is live?
I think the site association also needs to be changed? At this point I would love the change that 'p*l*p*' as that was an error from the very start of my custom domain?
How does all this impact BC with the domain etc?
If I initiate the wholesite 'https' on BC do I keep my custom domain on all pages including 'cart and form submissions' rather than the current 'https://store-xxxxxx.mybigcommerce(dot)com'

I am so confused by the connection (or disconnect) of the HS sites with BC including changing from SiteBuilder Plus to Websitebuilder.

Your input is greatly appreciated!

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2 weeks ago

Drew N, Community Manager

255,080 Points

I am very well thanks. Unfortunately, I don't have all the answers for you yet, but here is what I do know.

I am still waiting for a final word on procedures for SSL on the Storefront. Hopefully we get the info from BC soon.
We are also working on better and more permanent integration for Homestead websites, both Sitebuilder and Websitebuilder.
Answers
1) Yes, you may use the redirect to send an old page to a new page. Additionally, with Websitebuilder instead of a page not found, if there is a missing/broken link, they will be redirected to your home page.
2) Yes, I would build the new site and then move the domain to the new site. Once done, then you can get Cloudflare set up. By the time you are ready, we might have different instructions as we are moving towards the integrated solution.
3) In Websitebuilder, when you associate the domain to the site, the .homesteadcloud.com address is disabled, so only the domain brings up the site. The name you give the new site will only be used until you move the domain.
4) BC should not be affected as long as when you switch nameservers you have verified that the DNS in Cloudflare matches the DNS you currently have.
5) I am still not sure, that is the type of information I am still waiting on.

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2 weeks ago

6,510 Points

Hey Drew -

Thanks for the detailed response and sorry for the delay (not getting the email updates again :( so did not know you responded).

On Websitebuilder? Just so I understand, I can use the redirect feature to redirect the old pages in Sitebuilder Plus?

Look forward to your findings in BC because my dashboard is more integrated that ever before and showing the store for 'encryption everywhere' option yet for other procedures does direct me back to HS which tells me it does see my relationship with HS. Do not want to try and switch until I know it is not an error (on BC) as just switching I suspect will cause enough issues...definitely appreciate your assistance.

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2018-06-07T16:00:36+00:00

Drew N, Community Manager

254,946 Points

You should be able to use the redirect yes. I have tested it and it seems to work very well.
I will let you know when I hear.

2018-06-13T12:32:08+00:00

6,510 Points

Hey Drew -

Any word on implementing the 'whole site' SSL within BC? FYI...they claim all new sites are already set up that way which I would guess means any sites coming in from HS as well.

2018-06-13T22:30:28+00:00

Drew N, Community Manager

254,946 Points

I have not been given an official word yet, but I did enable the free one on my test store and it is showing as secure now. The problem with our contract was that it prohibited the use of SSL, and I have not heard of a change yet, but there it is.

The other issue that needs to be investigated is that switching to https can mess with stats and ranking. http and https are often considered different. BC has an article, but I haven't been able to read it yet and see if things can be done.

2018-06-16T14:37:29+00:00

6,510 Points

Again sorry for the delay but as before, I have stopped received update notices to my posts.

Yes, I have read some of BC info and I think there are several areas to address (maybe even the 'return to' page for PP (and maybe Stripe). As you see, I do believe it all needs to be re-indexed hence the reason to move forward now rather than later and too close to the holidays. A bit nervous in moving forward for all the issue that may occur.

I think on BC's side, this free whole site SSL has no warranty and I also believe I cannot upgrade to 3rd party as HS customer but have not tried that direction.

Biggest question is does our domain name stay 'custom' on the checkout (and other previously secure pages that had https://store-xxxxxx.mybigcommerce.co...) now that all pages would be SSL?

2018-06-17T19:27:06+00:00

Drew N, Community Manager

254,946 Points

In my test, the domain was on for the entire checkout process. I did not actually run a credit card, I have a store credit that covers the cost of testing, but I always saw my domain name.