HTTPS without a control panel.
WHAT YOU NEED
A certificate per domain, renewed before expiry.
FREE CERTIFICATES
Available and automatable. They expire frequently, which is why automation matters.
WITH A CONTROL PANEL
Handled largely automatically.
WITHOUT ONE
A client tool obtains and renews certificates, and reloads the web server afterwards.
THE RENEWAL POINT
Certificates expire. An expired certificate produces a browser warning that stops visitors.
Automate renewal and monitor expiry as a fallback.
WHAT GOES WRONG
Automation that stops working silently A renewal that succeeds without reloading the web server A domain no longer pointing at the server, so validation fails
MONITORING
Check expiry externally. Do not rely solely on the renewal process reporting success.
FOR MULTIPLE SITES
Each domain and subdomain needs coverage.
