WP Ghost with Really Simple SSL – Compatibility and Setup
This tutorial has moved to the new WP Ghost Knowledge Base where each feature is presented in detail.
WP Ghost works with Really Simple SSL. The one thing to watch is the rule order in .htaccess: save Really Simple SSL settings first, then save WP Ghost settings again.
How They Work Together
Really Simple SSL redirects HTTP to HTTPS and fixes mixed content. WP Ghost changes the default paths and adds the firewall and the HSTS header. The two plugins don’t share a feature.
htaccess Rule Order
On Apache, Really Simple SSL writes its HTTPS redirect to .htaccess by default, and WP Ghost writes its path rules to the same file. Save Really Simple SSL settings first, then save WP Ghost settings again so WP Ghost writes its rules in the right position. You only repeat this if you change Really Simple SSL’s redirect settings later.
Troubleshooting
Mixed content warnings after enabling SSL. These come from the HTTPS switch in Really Simple SSL, and its “Mixed Content Fixer” handles most cases. Open the browser console to see which files still load over HTTP.
Paths not working after saving Really Simple SSL. Really Simple SSL may have moved WP Ghost’s .htaccess rules. Save WP Ghost settings again to put them back in order. If the paths still return 404 on WP Ghost Premium 9.0.13 or later, press Start Diagnosis in Ghost Doctor on the Level of Security page. It finds which path your server stopped serving and repairs it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does WP Ghost have its own SSL redirect?
No. The redirect comes from Really Simple SSL, your host or Cloudflare, and WP Ghost adds the HSTS header that tells browsers to always use HTTPS.
Do I need to re-save WP Ghost every time I save Really Simple SSL?
No. Save WP Ghost again only when Really Simple SSL changes .htaccess, which on most sites happens once.
Does WP Ghost modify WordPress core files?
No. Neither plugin changes a WordPress core file.