How To Install SSL Certificate on BigCommerce?

Want to secure your BigCommerce platform with an SSL certificate but need help figuring out how to get started or what steps to take? Don’t fret! In this article, we will explore – the step-by-step procedure to install an SSL cert on BigCommerce.

Step 1: Generate a CSR (Code Signing Request)

CSR is an encoded text block containing paramount details about your domain and enterprise, which the Certificate Authority (CA) utilizes to validate your SSL application. When it comes to generating a CSR for BigCommerce, you have two options:

• Use our automatic CSR generation tool, or
• Generate it Manually

Note:

• If you have decided to generate it manually, ensure all the details are accurate and updated to avoid the CA declining to sign the SSL cert.
• The duration for certificate files to reach you may differ depending on the type of validation you have selected for your website.

After you submit your CSR, the Certificate Authority will verify the information for accuracy. Once verified, you will receive an email containing your SSL certificate and other installation files via email in a compressed .zip folder.

Download and extract all the files in the folder. Ensure you have all these files:

• SSL Certificate (.crt)
• Intermediate or Chain Certificates (.ca_bundle)
• Private Key

Step 2: Convert the Certificate Files

Follow the steps mentioned below to convert the cert files to a txt file:

• Open the .crt file using any text editor of your choice. (example – Notepad)
• Save the file. (example – SSL_Certificate.txt)
• Open the .ca_bundle file using Notepad.
• Save the file. (example – SSL_Inter_Certificate.txt)

Note: You can also copy the content of the .crt and .ca bundle files and paste them into two different.txt files. But make sure that you have copied all the .crt file data, including – “—–BEGIN CERTIFICATE—– and —–END CERTIFICATE—–” tags. While copying the .ca_bundel file, copy all the data, including – “—–BEGIN INTERMEDIATE CERTIFICATE—– and —–END INTERMEDIATE CERTIFICATE—–” tags.

Step 3: Install the SSL Certificate on BigCommerce

Follow the steps mentioned below to install the SSL certificate on BigCommerce:

• Login to the BigCommerce Control Panel.
• Click Server Settings and click on the Install 3rd party SSL option.
• Copy and paste the SSL Certificate (content of the SSL_Certificate.txt file) into the respective fields.
• Copy and paste the Intermediate Certificate (content of the SSL_Inter_Certificate.txt file) into the respective fields.
• Click on the Install SSL Certificate option.

Note: The SSL certificate installation can take 10-15 minutes.

Congratulations, you have successfully installed an SSL certificate on BigCommerce.

Test the SSL Installation Status

It is always advisable to check or test the certificate’s installation status. To do this, use SSL testing tools like – SSL Checker. If there are any vulnerabilities or potential errors, you can find them instantly and get a detailed report using these tools.