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Zoho Sites is a web development platform that offers businesses an easy and efficient way to create professional
websites without the need for extensive technical knowledge. Founded by Zoho Corporation, it provides a
user-friendly interface with drag-and-drop functionality, making website building intuitive and accessible.
Zoho Sites offers a range of benefits including customizable templates, mobile responsiveness, SEO tools, and
integration with other Zoho applications for seamless business operations. This service empowers businesses to
establish a strong online presence and engage with their audience effectively.

Step 1. Create a new CSR along with its corresponding Private Key

A Certificate Signing Request (CSR) is a vital element in creating secure links between clients and servers on the
internet, especially within the SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) framework. Essentially, it's a cryptographic message
produced by a client, usually a web browser, containing key details such as the server's public key and
organizational information. This message is then sent to a Certificate Authority for validation, which confirms
the server's identity.

Navigate to SSLTrust's CSR Generator and generate your CSR and Private Key.

Note:- Save the generated Private Key and CSR on your device. This might come in handy if you want to re-do the configuration.

Step 2. Purchase the SSL Certificate and Configure it

The following step in the installation process is to order and configure SSL Certificate. We recommend SSLTrust because of our exceptional Customer Service, Money Back guarantee and SSL Installation Service. Here is a bit of information about SSL Certificates to help choose the best for you and your website.

Choosing the right SSL certificate depends on your specific requirements. For simple encryption on smaller websites,
a standard SSL certificate is suitable. E-commerce websites should consider Extended Validation (EV) certificates
to increase customer trust. If your business has numerous subdomains, Wildcard SSL certificates are ideal. For
maximum security, especially in regulated industries, Organization Validation (OV) certificates are recommended.
Evaluate your needs and budget to select the most appropriate SSL certificate for your site or business.

Have a look at some of out top brands here.

You can choose the SSL Selector on our website. If you're still unsure of what certificate to choose for your
business, please contact our Sales Team and they will be glad to help you out.

1: Add the SSL Certificate your cart and complete the checkout process.

SSLTrust Checkout Page

Provide your account information

SSLTrust Account Details

Pick the payment option you prefer, then click on the checkout button

SSLTrust Complete Order

2: Following your SSL Certificate purchase, you're ready to commence configuring it. To complete this action, navigate to
your SSLTrust account and handle your latest purchase. Access the SSLTrust Dashboard, then navigate to Services and opt for My Services

SSL Dashboard

Your purchased certificate and order status should be visible to you. Next, click on Manage.

SSLTrust SSL

Upon clicking Manage, you'll find yourself on the Product Details page of your SSL Certificate. Choose "start configuration" to personally configure the settings, or alternatively, share the URL below with the relevant person for them to handle the configuration on your behalf.

Start SSL Configuration

3: Ensure that the CSR (Certificate Signing Request) previously generated is copied and pasted here in the following format.

  -----BEGIN CERTIFICATE REQUEST-----
  -----END CERTIFICATE REQUEST-----
Verify CSR Details

Then, click on Verify CSR.
If the CSR details align with the inputs you've previously provided, you can proceed; otherwise, generate a new CSR with accurate details.

Actual CSR Details Pic

Select the Server Type and click on Next Step.

Server Type Step

4: Kindly fill out your contact details.

Contact Info

Please provide the details of your technical contact, if they are managing the certificate for you.
Authorization will be provided to them for managing the certificate, and renewal reminders will be sent.

Technical Contact

In order to acquire a business SSL certificate, it is necessary to furnish your business information, which includes your
accurate address, phone number, and legal entity name. Verification of the accuracy of this information will be conducted by the Certificate Authority.
Errors could potentially result in delays in the process.

Then, click on Next Step

5: The next step in this process is Domain Control Validation (DCV).
DCV, or Domain Control Validation, holds significant importance in the issuance process of SSL certificates. It confirms that
the entity seeking the certificate maintains control over the particular domain, employing techniques such as email validation,
file uploads, or DNS adjustments.

Verifying SSL certificates' legitimacy through this process is essential for bolstering online security.

Domain Control Validation

Pick the method that suits you best. Having an email address with the domain name will be the quickest way to proceed.
You'll receive an email containing a validation link. Clicking on the link should confirm your domain name.
Using the HTTP/HTTPS File Validation Method, create a folder in the designated directory, paste the contents, and your domain will undergo validation.

HTTP Method DCV

CNAME Validation represents the final method for validating your domain name.Essentially, you need to create a CNAME record
in your DNS Settings to validate your domain name. Afterward, click on the "Check DNS Record" button to confirm DNS changes.

CNAME Method DCV

Following a brief interval, typically ranging from a few minutes to several hours, contingent upon your DNS propagation speed, the CNAME record should be validated.

DNS Check DNSChecker

If everything is set up correctly, click the button below to proceed to the validation manager.

Certificate Configuration Success

6: After successfully completing all the previous steps, your certificate should now be issued.

Certificate Issue Success

Should the certificate not be issued, click on Domain Control Validation, and resubmit your chosen validation method.
After successfully validating your domain with the chosen method, your SSL certificate will be issued.
For customers who have ordered a Business SSL, it's important to wait for the Certificate Authority to validate your business
address and phone number. If the validation process isn't finalized or if you haven't received your certificate after a
specific time frame, please reach out to the support team for assistance regarding your certificate's status.

Step 3. Copy the SSL Certificate data onto your Server

After your SSL certificate is issued, you'll receive an email containing the certificate directly from the Certificate Authority. Alternatively, you have the option to download the certificate from the SSLTrust Portal, which provides it in an easy-to-use format.

Return to the SSLTrust Dashboard and access your certificate by clicking on it.

dashboard-final

1: Click on Collect/Download Certificate-

Collect Certificate

Go to the first column and click on copy to clipboard

Copy SSL Certificate

2: Login to your account on Zoho Sites. Click on Manage Domains

Zoho Sites Dashboard

3: Click on SSL Hosting on the top menu and then select "Install Your Own SSL".

Zoho Custom SSL Install

4: Paste in your copied main certificate in the CRT Dialog Box followed by the Private Key

Zoho Paste Main Cert and Private Key

5: Head back to the certificate collection page and click on copy to clipboard on the Intermediate certificate.

Copy Intermediate Certificate SSLTrust

6: Proceed to paste your Intermediate/Chain Certificate and click on Ok

Zoho Paste Intermediate Certificate

Now, navigate to https:// yourdomain.com to view your secure website.

Step 4. Test and confirm the SSL certificate's operational status

SSLTrust's Free SSL Checkeris a tool that allows you to test and validate the SSL/TLS
certificates installed on websites. Simply enter a domain name and it will analyze the certificate, providing details like the
issuer, expiration date, encryption strength, and whether the certificate is properly configured and trusted by major browsers
and operating systems. In SSL tests, receiving an "A" rating typically signifies that the SSL certificate and its configuration
meet high security standards.

SSLTrust Free SSL Checker A Rating

The checker highlights any potential security issues or misconfigurations with the SSL implementation. This free tool makes it
easy to verify if a website's SSL certificate is valid and secure, giving visitors confidence their connection is encrypted and
their data is protected from eavesdroppers.

SSLTrust Free SSL Checker Detailed Report Example Drop Down

Additionally, you can also performed a detailed check which generates an actionable report with all the ins and out of your SSL
Certificate. This includes Protocols, Ciphers, Vulnerabilities and much more.

SSLTrust Free SSL Checker Detailed Report

You might require assistance from your web developer or make the necessary updates to your website personally to ensure that
all files utilize "https://" and all links leading to and within your website employ "https://".

If you need any help with your SSL Installation, please don't hesitate to reach out to our friendly support team by clicking
here.


Author: Siddiqui Ammar
Published:

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