Final answer:
To add an SSL certificate to your website, purchase one from a Certificate Authority, generate a CSR, install the certificate on your server, and configure your server to use HTTPS. Then, verify the SSL implementation and update resource URLs to HTTPS.
Step-by-step explanation:
To add an SSL certificate to your website, you'll need to follow several steps ensuring that your site is securely encrypted. First, purchase an SSL certificate from a reputable Certificate Authority (CA). Then, generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) on your web server and submit it to the CA. Once you receive the SSL certificate from the CA, you'll need to install it on your server. This process can vary depending on the server's operating system and the server software you are using, such as Apache or Nginx.
In addition to installing the certificate, you'll need to configure your web server to redirect traffic from HTTP to HTTPS, which is the secure protocol leveraged by SSL. After the SSL certificate is installed and your web server is properly configured, you should test your website to ensure that the SSL certificate is working correctly. Websites like SSL Labs offer free tools to test the security and performance of your SSL setup.
Lastly, remember to update the URLs of any resources your website uses to HTTPS, and consider setting up HSTS (HTTP Strict Transport Security) for even stronger security measures.