How to Force HTTPS on Your Website

Forcing HTTPS means sending visitors from the unsecured http:// version of your website to the secure https:// version automatically.

This should only be done after SSL is installed and working. If you force HTTPS before the certificate is ready, visitors may run into browser warnings, redirect loops, or a site that does not load correctly.

Table of Contents

Confirm SSL Works Before Redirecting

First, open your website with https:// at the start.

Check:

The homepage loads
The browser does not show a certificate warning
The certificate matches the domain
The main pages work
Forms and checkout pages work
The WordPress dashboard works, if the site uses WordPress

Also test both www and non-www versions if visitors use both.

Choose Your Preferred Domain Version

Before forcing HTTPS, decide which version of the site should be the main version.

For example:

https://yourbusiness.ca
https://www.yourbusiness.ca

Both can work, but one should be the preferred version. Redirects should send visitors to that version consistently.

If you change both HTTPS and www settings at the same time, test carefully. A mismatch can create redirect loops or certificate warnings.

Use Hosting or Website Settings When Available

Many hosting platforms and website tools include an HTTPS redirect option. If your hosting control panel offers a setting for HTTPS redirect, that is often easier than editing server files manually.

If your site is hosted through Tech Help Canada Hosting, start from the Tech Help Canada Hosting portal and open the related hosting, WordPress, or SSL product area. The available options depend on the product and site setup.

Use the tool that matches your hosting environment. A cPanel site, managed WordPress site, website builder site, and VPS may handle redirects differently.

For WordPress, Check Site Settings

If your site uses WordPress, check the WordPress Address and Site Address under Settings > General.

After SSL is installed, these should usually start with https://.

Be careful. Changing these settings incorrectly can cause login problems or redirect loops. Take a backup first if you are not sure.

Some WordPress sites also use a plugin to help redirect HTTP to HTTPS. This can be useful, but it should not replace fixing mixed content or incorrect site URLs.

Server Redirects May Be Needed

Some websites force HTTPS through server configuration.

Depending on the server, this may involve:

.htaccess rules on Apache
Nginx server blocks
Hosting panel redirect settings
CDN redirect rules
Application-level redirects

Do not edit server rules casually on a live business site. A small mistake can take the site offline. If you do edit server files, back up the file first and know how to undo the change.

Check for Mixed Content

After forcing HTTPS, some pages may still load resources over HTTP.

Check for:

Old image URLs
Stylesheets
Scripts
Fonts
Embedded maps or videos
Page builder background images
Forms or third-party widgets

If these still use HTTP, the browser may show mixed content warnings or block parts of the page.

Forcing HTTPS gets visitors to the secure page. It does not automatically update every old URL inside the website.

Update Internal Links and Tools

After HTTPS is working, update places where your website address is stored.

Check:

WordPress settings
Menus
Buttons
Contact page links
Sitemap
Canonical URLs
Analytics tools
Search tools
Email signatures
Social profiles
Online directories
Ads

Internal links that still point to HTTP may redirect, but updating them reduces extra hops and future confusion.

Tech Help Canada’s on-page SEO checklist can help you review page-level details after a website change, including links and page structure.

Test the Redirect

Test these versions:

http://yourbusiness.ca
https://yourbusiness.ca
http://www.yourbusiness.ca
https://www.yourbusiness.ca

Each version should end at the preferred HTTPS address without warnings.

Also test:

Homepage
Contact page
Forms
Login page
Checkout or booking pages
Mobile view
Main navigation

If you see a redirect loop, too many redirects, or a certificate warning, stop and review the redirect path.

A Safe HTTPS Rollout

Install SSL.
Confirm HTTPS works.
Choose the preferred domain version.
Enable HTTPS redirect through the correct tool.
Check WordPress URLs if relevant.
Fix mixed content.
Clear cache.
Test all key pages.

If you want SSL installation and maintenance handled for you, you can explore Managed SSL Service through Tech Help Canada Hosting.

Not sure what to read next?

I can suggest related Tech Help Canada articles based on the topic you’re reading now.

Tech Help Canada Staff

We empower people to succeed through practical business information and essential services. If you’re looking for help with SEO, copywriting, or getting your online presence set up properly, you’re in the right place. If this piece helped, feel free to share it with someone who’d get value from it. Do you need help with something? Contact Us