Does Installing SSL on Cloudways Improve SEO?Summarize this blog post with: ChatGPT | Perplexity | Claude | Grok

You probably already know that your Cloudways website should load over HTTPS instead of showing visitors an insecure connection warning. What is less obvious is that installing the certificate is only one part of a reliable SSL setup because DNS coverage, www, redirects, wildcard validation, and renewal all matter. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how Cloudways Free SSL works, how to install and verify it, and how to diagnose the most common SSL problems.

Facts and Cloudways interface instructions in this guide were verified against first-party documentation on August 9, 2026.

Key Takeaways

• Cloudways Free SSL uses Let’s Encrypt certificates and is available through Cloudways’ SSL Management interface without requiring you to purchase a separate certificate.
• Cloudways supports single-domain, multi-domain/SAN, and wildcard Let’s Encrypt configurations, giving you different ways to secure domains and subdomains.
• DNS must resolve correctly before certificate deployment, including the www hostname if you want www.example.com covered.
• Cloudways currently permits one Let’s Encrypt certificate per application and up to 100 SANs per certificate.
• HTTPS redirection should have one source of authority because enabling redirects simultaneously in Cloudways, Cloudflare, plugins, and .htaccess can create redirect loops.
• Cloudways currently documents 90-day Let’s Encrypt certificates with automatic renewal before the final 30 days, although Let’s Encrypt will shorten its default certificate lifetime in stages beginning in 2027.
• Wildcard SSL depends on persistent DNS validation, so Cloudways recommends keeping the _acme-challenge CNAME record in place for future renewals.

What Is Cloudways Free SSL and How Does It Work?

Cloudways Free SSL is a Let’s Encrypt SSL/TLS certificate that Cloudways users can deploy from the application-level SSL Management interface without purchasing a separate certificate. Let’s Encrypt is a certificate authority operated by the nonprofit Internet Security Research Group, while Cloudways handles much of the provisioning and renewal workflow through its platform.

Cloudways’ current documentation says its Let’s Encrypt utility is included with its server plans and supports both standard and wildcard certificate configurations. Let’s Encrypt certificates issued through this workflow are Domain Validation (DV) certificates rather than Organization Validation certificates.

“Let’s Encrypt SSL Certificates are free to deploy and renew as a part of all our server plans.”

— Syed Abuzar Mehdi, Cloudways Help Center author, Cloudways, 2026

The practical implication is simple: most ordinary blogs, affiliate sites, WordPress sites, WooCommerce stores, portfolios, and business websites do not need to purchase a separate SSL certificate merely to enable HTTPS on Cloudways. A custom certificate can still make sense when a project has specific certificate-authority or organizational requirements.

If you are still evaluating the hosting platform itself, the Cloudways pricing plans guide provides more context about what is included beyond SSL.

[Insert image: Cloudways application SSL Management screen with Let’s Encrypt selected | Alt text: “Install Cloudways Free SSL from SSL Management”]

Why Does Cloudways Free SSL Matter?

Cloudways Free SSL matters because HTTPS encrypts traffic between your website and visitors while helping browsers establish that they are communicating with the intended hostname. HTTPS is particularly important for login forms, WordPress dashboards, checkout pages, account areas, forms, and other pages where users exchange information with your website.

For example, a WooCommerce store served over HTTP could expose browser visitors to security warnings and an unencrypted connection. Enabling a valid TLS certificate allows the store to serve customer-facing pages over HTTPS instead.

→ Explore Cloudways SSL FeaturesA Simple “Which SSL Do I Need?” Framework

Does Installing SSL on Cloudways Improve SEO?

Installing SSL should be treated primarily as a security and technical-quality requirement, not as an SEO shortcut. Google announced HTTPS as a lightweight ranking signal in 2014, but its current page-experience documentation emphasizes that secure delivery is only one element of a broader experience and that individual page-experience improvements do not guarantee higher rankings.

“Beyond Core Web Vitals, other page experience aspects don’t directly help your website rank higher in search results.”

— Google Search Central, Google for Developers, 2025

The SEO objective is therefore technical consistency rather than an expected ranking jump. Your HTTP URLs should redirect cleanly to their HTTPS equivalents, canonical tags should reference the preferred HTTPS URLs, internal resources should load securely, and Google should be able to crawl the HTTPS versions normally.

For broader hosting-performance considerations beyond SSL, see the Cloudways uptime and performance review.

What Do You Need Before Installing Cloudways Free SSL?

Cloudways Free SSL requires a live application, a mapped domain, and DNS records that correctly resolve the hostnames you intend to protect. Cloudways specifically lists correct domain mapping and DNS pointing as prerequisites for Let’s Encrypt deployment.

Before clicking Install Certificate, check:

1. Your Cloudways application is running.
2. Your primary domain has been added to the application.
3. The domain’s DNS points to the correct destination.
4. Any additional hostname you want protected also resolves.
5. You know whether you need a single hostname, several named hostnames, or wildcard coverage.
6. A WAF or reverse proxy such as Cloudflare or Sucuri is not interfering with certificate validation.

The Root Domain and WWW Trap

example.com and www.example.com are different hostnames for certificate-validation purposes. Cloudways advises adding www as an additional domain when you want that hostname protected and making sure www resolves through an A record or appropriate CNAME.

For example:

• example.com only → certificate coverage for the configured root hostname.
• example.com + www.example.com → both common versions can be covered.
• example.com + shop.example.com + members.example.com → use multiple SANs or consider wildcard SSL.

A frequent SSL mistake is to test only https://example.com, see a valid certificate, and assume https://www.example.com must also work. Certificate coverage should be tested hostname by hostname.

If you are moving a site rather than launching a new one, plan DNS and certificate changes together with your Cloudways free migration workflow.

How Do You Install a Free Let’s Encrypt SSL Certificate on Cloudways?

Installing Cloudways Free SSL involves selecting Let’s Encrypt in SSL Management, entering the required domain information, deploying the certificate, and then verifying HTTPS configuration. Cloudways’ April 24, 2026 installation guide documents this workflow for its platform.

Step 1: Open SSL Management

Cloudways currently documents the classic-interface path as:

1. Log in to Cloudways.
2. Open Servers.
3. Select the server hosting your application.
4. Open the application selector.
5. Choose your application.
6. Under Application Management, select SSL Certificate.
7. Under SSL Management, choose Let’s Encrypt.

Cloudways interface labels can change, so use SSL Certificate or SSL Management as the feature you are looking for rather than relying solely on a memorized navigation path.

[Insert image: Cloudways application navigation highlighting SSL Certificate | Alt text: “Open Cloudways SSL Certificate settings”]

Step 2: Enter the Email and Domain

For a basic certificate, enter:

• Your email address.
• The hostname you want to secure.
• Any additional hostname such as www when required.

Then select Install Certificate. Cloudways says deployment normally completes through the platform after validation succeeds.

Step 3: Decide Whether You Need Additional Domains

For multiple explicit hostnames, use the multi-domain/SAN option and add each required hostname before installation. Cloudways currently supports up to 100 domains, subdomains, or SAN entries on one Let’s Encrypt certificate.

[Insert image: Cloudways Let’s Encrypt form showing email, domain, and Add Domain controls | Alt text: “Add multiple domains to Cloudways Free SSL”]

Watch the Cloudways SSL Installation Process

This official Cloudways walkthrough shows the practical domain-pointing and Let’s Encrypt installation workflow, including domain management, HTTPS activation, and SSL renewal settings. It is useful here because you can see how the configuration steps work inside the Cloudways interface rather than relying only on screenshots.

Video: “How to Point Domains and Install SSL Certificates on Cloudways | Cloudways 101” by Cloudways.

Which Cloudways SSL Setup Should You Choose?

The right Cloudways SSL setup depends on whether you need one hostname, several known hostnames, an expanding collection of subdomains, or a third-party certificate. The most useful decision is not “free versus paid” but what names the certificate must protect and how often those names will change.

A Cloudways SAN certificate protects explicitly listed domains and subdomains, while a wildcard certificate can protect the root domain and multiple subdomains without listing every subdomain individually. Cloudways describes wildcard SSL as particularly useful when additional subdomains may be created later.

→ Evaluate Cloudways SSL Options

A Simple “Which SSL Do I Need?” Framework

Use this practical decision path:

• One hostname only: standard Let’s Encrypt.
• Root + www: multi-domain/SAN configuration.
• Several predictable domains or subdomains: SAN certificate.
• Many existing or future subdomains: wildcard SSL.
• Third-party certificate requirement: custom SSL.

Cloudways also notes that installing another certificate on an application overwrites the existing one because only one certificate can be active per application.

[Insert image: Custom decision diagram showing Single Domain → SAN → Wildcard → Custom SSL choices | Alt text: “Choose the right Cloudways SSL certificate type”]

How Do You Install a Free Wildcard SSL Certificate on Cloudways?

Cloudways wildcard SSL uses Let’s Encrypt with DNS authentication and requires an _acme-challenge DNS record before certificate issuance. Wildcard coverage is useful when you want to secure multiple subdomains without declaring each one individually.

Step 1: Enter the Root Domain

Enter the root domain without www, such as:

example.com

Then select Apply Wildcard.

Step 2: Add the Validation CNAME

Cloudways’ documented wildcard workflow currently requests a CNAME with:

• Record Type: CNAME
• Host/Name: _acme-challenge
• Value/Alias: the Cloudways default application FQDN displayed in the platform
• TTL: your provider’s default or the value Cloudways instructs for the workflow

Step 3: Confirm DNS Propagation

After adding the record, wait until the CNAME resolves publicly. Cloudways recommends checking DNS propagation before selecting Verify DNS and proceeding with certificate installation.

[Insert image: DNS provider showing the _acme-challenge CNAME for wildcard validation | Alt text: “Configure Cloudways wildcard SSL CNAME validation”]

Do Not Delete the Wildcard Validation Record

Cloudways recommends retaining the _acme-challenge CNAME because removing it can interfere with wildcard certificate renewal. This is one of the most important operational details to document when an agency manages DNS separately from the Cloudways account.

For example, if a client later “cleans up” unfamiliar DNS records and removes _acme-challenge, the existing certificate may continue working until renewal is required. The problem can then appear weeks later and seem unrelated to the DNS change.

How Do You Force HTTP to HTTPS and Verify Cloudways SSL?

Cloudways SSL should be followed by one consistent HTTP-to-HTTPS redirect and verification of every hostname the website actually uses. Installing a certificate does not by itself guarantee that all visitors will be redirected away from the HTTP version.

Enable HTTPS Redirection

For Cloudways Flexible, the platform currently offers an HTTPS Redirection control under the application settings. Cloudways documents this as a 301 permanent redirect from HTTP to HTTPS.

See How to Enable HTTPS Redirection

This official Cloudways tutorial demonstrates where to enable HTTPS redirection on Cloudways Flexible and how to verify that HTTP requests are being sent to the secure HTTPS version. It is especially useful before configuring redirects because the site should have a valid SSL certificate in place first.

Video: “How to Redirect HTTP to HTTPs on Cloudways Flexible” by Cloudways.

However, use only one primary redirect mechanism.

If redirection is already handled through:

• Cloudflare
• Sucuri
• WordPress or another application plugin
• .htaccess
• another proxy or server rule

do not blindly enable another redirect layer in Cloudways. Cloudways warns that competing redirect mechanisms can produce “too many redirects” errors.

Use the Install → Redirect → Verify → Renew Framework

A reliable SSL deployment can be treated as four separate phases:

1. Install — issue the correct certificate for all required hostnames.
2. Redirect — send HTTP requests to the HTTPS canonical version.
3. Verify — test the certificate, resources, redirects, and hostnames.
4. Renew — confirm that validation records and auto-renewal remain functional.

[Insert image: Custom diagram showing Install → Redirect → Verify → Renew workflow | Alt text: “Verify Cloudways Free SSL deployment workflow”]

Test All Four Common URL Variants

For a site using both root and www, test:

• http://example.com
• https://example.com
• http://www.example.com
• https://www.example.com

The HTTP versions should resolve into the intended HTTPS canonical hostname without redirect loops.

Check for Mixed Content

Mixed content occurs when an HTTPS page still loads resources such as images, CSS, or JavaScript through HTTP. Cloudways documents browser developer tools as one way to identify insecure resources on WordPress sites.

For example, an old image URL hard-coded as http://example.com/uploads/photo.jpg can trigger a mixed-content issue even though the page itself loads through https://.

[Insert image: Browser developer tools showing an HTTP resource on an HTTPS page | Alt text: “Find mixed content after installing Cloudways SSL”]

Does Cloudways Free SSL Renew Automatically?

Cloudways currently documents Let’s Encrypt certificates as valid for 90 days and supports automatic renewal before the final 30 days when auto-renewal is enabled. The installation guide says auto-renewal is selected by default during certificate installation, while an on-demand renewal option is also available.

Cloudways also currently documents:

• One Let’s Encrypt certificate per Cloudways application.
• Up to 100 SANs per certificate.
• Up to five certificate installations for the same domain within a week under the documented Let’s Encrypt limitation.
• Up to five on-demand renewal attempts per day.

→ Compare Cloudways Plans

The 90-Day Number Will Not Stay Permanent

The current 90-day validity period should be date-stamped rather than treated as a permanent Let’s Encrypt rule. Let’s Encrypt announced a phased reduction of its default certificate lifetime: its classic profile is scheduled to move to 64 days on February 10, 2027 and 45 days on February 16, 2028. An opt-in 45-day profile was introduced earlier in 2026.

“We currently issue certificates valid for 90 days, which will be cut in half to 45 days by 2028.”

— Matthew McPherrin, Let’s Encrypt author, Let’s Encrypt, 2025

For Cloudways users, the practical lesson is automation matters more than memorizing certificate duration. A reliable renewal workflow should continue working when certificate lifetimes become shorter.

Why Is a Cloudways SSL Certificate Not Installing or Renewing?

Cloudways SSL failures are most efficiently diagnosed by checking DNS, hostname coverage, WAF/proxy behavior, redirect rules, renewal configuration, and wildcard validation before repeatedly reinstalling certificates. Cloudways’ troubleshooting documentation identifies DNS/WAF interference, .htaccess rules, and missing wildcard validation records among the relevant renewal issues.

If the Certificate Will Not Install

Check DNS before changing anything else. The requested hostname must resolve correctly for the relevant validation method, and Cloudways specifically requires the site to be live with properly pointed DNS before standard deployment.

If WWW Shows an SSL Warning

Verify two separate conditions:

1. www.example.com is included in certificate coverage.
2. www.example.com actually resolves through DNS.

A valid certificate for the root domain does not compensate for missing www DNS configuration.

If You See Too Many Redirects

Choose one HTTPS redirect authority. If Cloudflare already redirects HTTP traffic, do not also enable conflicting Cloudways, WordPress-plugin, and .htaccess rules.

If Automatic Renewal Stops Working

Cloudways documents .htaccess interference as one potential cause for standard Let’s Encrypt renewal problems. Its troubleshooting process also advises Cloudflare users to consider proxy-related validation issues carefully.

Back up the application before modifying .htaccess, and restore the original configuration after testing.

If Wildcard Renewal Fails

Check _acme-challenge first. Cloudways specifically warns that removing the wildcard-validation CNAME can affect future renewal.

How Do You Use Cloudways Free SSL With Cloudflare?

Cloudways Free SSL can work with Cloudflare, but you need to distinguish the Cloudflare edge certificate from the certificate installed on the Cloudways origin server. When traffic is proxied through Cloudflare, the certificate visible to a public visitor may be Cloudflare’s certificate rather than the Let’s Encrypt certificate installed at the origin.

That distinction prevents a common false alarm: seeing a Cloudflare-issued certificate in the browser does not automatically mean the Cloudways origin certificate disappeared.

For a broader explanation of how the two platforms differ, see Cloudways vs Cloudflare.

[Insert image: Cloudflare DNS dashboard showing proxied and DNS-only records | Alt text: “Check Cloudflare DNS for Cloudways SSL validation”]

Integrated Cloudflare Enterprise Is Different

Cloudways states that applications using its integrated Cloudflare Enterprise service do not require an additional SSL certificate for HTTPS to function, although installing a certificate at the origin remains optional.

Cloudflare Origin CA Is Different From Let’s Encrypt

A Cloudflare Origin Certificate is designed for the encrypted connection between Cloudflare and the origin. Cloudways warns that such a certificate is trusted in the intended Cloudflare-proxied architecture and can become untrusted to normal browsers if the proxy is removed.

Therefore, do not treat these three layers as interchangeable:

• Let’s Encrypt at the Cloudways origin.
• Cloudflare’s visitor-facing edge certificate.
• Cloudflare Origin CA between Cloudflare and your server.

What Tools and Checks Should You Use to Validate Cloudways SSL?

Cloudways SSL validation should combine certificate inspection, DNS testing, redirect testing, browser resource inspection, and renewal checks rather than relying only on the browser padlock. A browser can show HTTPS successfully while another hostname, redirect path, or embedded resource remains misconfigured.

1. Cloudways SSL Management

Check:

• Certificate status.
• Covered domains.
• Auto-renewal status.
• Wildcard configuration.
• Whether the intended certificate is currently installed.

[Insert image: Cloudways SSL Management showing active certificate and renewal settings | Alt text: “Verify Cloudways SSL renewal settings”]

2. DNS Propagation Checker

For wildcard SSL, check the public resolution of:

_acme-challenge.example.com

Cloudways specifically references DNS propagation checking as part of the wildcard-validation workflow.

[Insert image: DNS propagation checker displaying _acme-challenge CNAME results | Alt text: “Verify Cloudways wildcard SSL DNS propagation”]

3. Browser Developer Tools

Use the Network and Console panels to identify resources still requested through HTTP. This is especially useful after WordPress migrations where old absolute URLs may remain in the database or theme configuration.

[Insert image: Browser Network panel filtered for insecure HTTP resources | Alt text: “Detect Cloudways SSL mixed content in browser tools”]

4. Redirect Testing

Test the complete redirect chain rather than checking only the final destination.

A good result is typically:

http://example.com → https://example.com

A poor result looks like:

http://example.com → https://example.com → http://example.com → repeated loop.

Cloudways documents HTTPS Redirection on Flexible as a 301 redirect and warns against overlapping redirect mechanisms.

5. Search Console HTTPS Checks

Google Search Central recommends checking whether pages are served securely and links site owners to Search Console’s HTTPS reporting as part of page-experience assessment.

[Insert image: Google Search Console HTTPS report for indexed secure pages | Alt text: “Check HTTPS pages in Google Search Console”]

What Should You Do After Installing Cloudways Free SSL?

After installing Cloudways Free SSL, verify redirects, hostname coverage, mixed content, renewal settings, DNS validation, proxy behavior, and important user journeys before considering the deployment finished.

Use this post-install QA checklist:

• Test http://domain.com.
• Test https://domain.com.
• Test http://www.domain.com if www is used.
• Test https://www.domain.com.
• Confirm the preferred hostname wins consistently.
• Test key landing pages and WordPress login pages.
• Test WooCommerce cart, account, and checkout pages where applicable.
• Inspect CSS, JavaScript, fonts, images, and API requests for mixed content.
• Confirm HTTPS redirection has only one controlling mechanism.
• Confirm Let’s Encrypt auto-renewal is enabled.
• Keep _acme-challenge DNS validation records required by wildcard SSL.
• Check Cloudflare or another proxy separately from the Cloudways origin.
• Record the SSL configuration in your maintenance documentation.

For client websites, recording who controls DNS, who controls Cloudways, which system handles HTTPS redirects, and which certificate type is installed can save significant troubleshooting time later.

If you are building a broader hardening workflow, the planned Cloudways security guide can cover firewalls, SSH/SFTP access, backups, bot protection, TLS, malware protection, and related controls in more depth.

→ Start Cloudways SSL Setup

Conclusion

Cloudways Free SSL is a practical Let’s Encrypt integration that can secure ordinary domains, multiple SAN hostnames, or wildcard subdomains without requiring a separate paid certificate. The important part is treating SSL as a lifecycle rather than a one-click installation: Install → Redirect → Verify → Renew.

For most Cloudways websites, start by making DNS accurate, include every hostname visitors actually use, choose SAN or wildcard coverage deliberately, enable one HTTPS redirect mechanism, and verify automatic renewal. If something later breaks, investigate DNS, redirects, Cloudflare/WAF behavior, .htaccess, and wildcard validation before repeatedly replacing the certificate.

If hosting cost is also part of your decision, compare the current Cloudways pricing before choosing server resources. Readers looking for discounts can also keep the planned Cloudways promo code resource alongside this technical setup guide.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cloudways Free SSL

Cloudways Free SSL FAQs mainly concern cost, certificate coverage, renewal, wildcard support, Cloudflare, and custom certificates. The answers below address the edge cases most likely to matter after the basic installation workflow is understood.

Does Cloudways provide free SSL certificates with hosting?

Yes. Cloudways states that free Let’s Encrypt certificate deployment and renewal are included with its server plans.

Is Let’s Encrypt SSL free on Cloudways?

Yes. Cloudways currently provides Let’s Encrypt certificates through its platform without requiring a separate certificate purchase.

Can Cloudways SSL protect multiple domains?

Yes. A Cloudways Let’s Encrypt certificate can use SAN entries for multiple explicitly listed domains and subdomains, with Cloudways currently documenting a maximum of 100 SANs on one certificate.

Does Cloudways support wildcard SSL?

Yes. Cloudways explicitly supports Let’s Encrypt wildcard SSL and documents a DNS-validation workflow using _acme-challenge.

Does Cloudways Free SSL renew automatically?

Yes, when auto-renewal is enabled. Cloudways currently documents renewal before the final 30 days of its presently documented 90-day Let’s Encrypt certificate lifetime.

Can I install my own SSL certificate on Cloudways?

Yes. Cloudways supports custom third-party SSL certificates, but only one certificate can be active on an application, so installing another certificate replaces the existing one.

Why does my browser show a Cloudflare certificate instead of Let’s Encrypt?

A proxied Cloudflare configuration can present Cloudflare’s edge certificate to visitors even when a different certificate exists on the Cloudways origin. Cloudways explicitly notes that Cloudflare or Sucuri certificates can take precedence when you inspect the public-facing certificate.

Will Cloudways SSL certificates always last 90 days?

No. Cloudways still documents 90-day Let’s Encrypt certificates as of August 9, 2026, but Let’s Encrypt has announced that its default certificate lifetime will move to 64 days in 2027 and 45 days in 2028.

References

Cloudways. (2026, April 24). How to install Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate. Cloudways Help Center. https://support.cloudways.com/en/articles/5129591-how-to-install-let-s-encrypt-ssl-certificate

Cloudways. (2025, July 30). Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates limitations. Cloudways Help Center. https://support.cloudways.com/en/articles/5129566-let-s-encrypt-ssl-certificates-limitations

Cloudways. (2025, August 1). How to redirect HTTP to HTTPS. Cloudways Help Center. https://support.cloudways.com/en/articles/5128831-how-to-redirect-http-to-https

Cloudways. (2025, July 30). How to configure Cloudflare Origin Certificate. Cloudways Help Center. https://support.cloudways.com/en/articles/5130554-how-to-configure-cloudflare-origin-certificate

Cloudways. (2024, June 6). Fix issue of Let’s Encrypt SSL not renewing automatically. Cloudways Help Center. https://support.cloudways.com/en/articles/5128853-fix-issue-of-let-s-encrypt-ssl-not-renewing-automatically

Google Search Central. (2014, August 7). HTTPS as a ranking signal. Google for Developers. https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2014/08/https-as-ranking-signal

Google Search Central. (2025, December 10). Understanding page experience in Google Search results. Google for Developers. https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/page-experience

McPherrin, M. (2025, December 2). Decreasing certificate lifetimes to 45 days. Let’s Encrypt. https://letsencrypt.org/2025/12/02/from-90-to-45