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Trouble setting up Ghost droplet on https vs http

Posted on May 18, 2021

I’m trying to create a Ghost droplet via one-click and DNS hosting via Cloudflare, but I’m having trouble accessing the site over https (or a browser like Chrome that automatically uses https). It works on http.

http://blog.hewsan.me - Works https://blog.hewsan.me - Doesn’t work

I haven’t logged in with SSH and started the one-click process yet. Just want to get it right before trying to start that. I know that Ghost will ask for the url for setup - and I want to put in the https address not the http address.

I’ve been reading about the installing the Let’s Encrypt SSL: https://www.digitalocean.com/community/questions/website-can-t-be-reached-err_connection_refused - but I can’t actually do anything. When I login with SSH, it automatically starts the Ghost install process and won’t let me do anything like the initial server setup, etc.

Any thoughts?

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Bobby

May 20, 2021

Hi there @panghews,

What is the exact error that you get when visiting your blog via HTTPS?

What I could suggest is setting the Cloudflare SSL to Flexible, that way you would not have to install an SSL certificate on your server and you could keep the Ghost configuration set to HTTP.

Let me know how it goes. Regards, Bobby

DriftingTurquoiseSubmarine

January 7, 2023

You definitely want to use LetsEncrypt to get a free SSL certificate. If SSH is forcing you to proceed with Ghost setup first, that’s fine. Go through with the setup (if it asks for a URL, provide the SSL/secured url).

First, Ghost’s new setup may have you set up an SSL certificate as part of the process. If it doesn’t, once you complete setup, then go through the steps to secure your URL via LetsEncrypt. Once you complete this you should be all set. You will need SSH access to get this setup unless you’re using a panel such as Plesk or cPanel.

I use Leapjuice Managed Ghost Hosting (leapjuice.com) and they do everything for me, including updates. But I used to run my own all the time. It’s a fun process. But if you ever decide to switch over to managed wordpress or managed ghost hosting I’d recommend Leapjuice for the cost/benefit.

Good luck!

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