The user-base of both ‘Auto-Install Free SSL’ plugin and ‘FreeSSL.tech Auto’ PHP client has been growing drastically, although the plugin had no updates for a year. However, now I intend to focus on ‘Auto-Install Free SSL’s update that will include new features while restructuring the current features. I aim at making the plugin user friendly with simple settings.

The successful execution of this plan requires a time investment in both development and support. This could be possible if the plugin generates a monetary return, which is the key to maintaining the WordPress plugin. A well-maintained and updated plugin ensures advanced functionalities, better coding with an improved user experience, which is a win-win situation for both the developer and the users.

I feel glad to announce that the premium version of ‘Auto-Install Free SSL’ is about to be released in a year. The premium version includes all of the automation features, i.e., it will automatically validate domains, issue/renew free SSL certificates; in the case of cPanel shared hosting, it will install free SSL certificates automatically.

Following are listed the benefits of the premium version compared to the current free version (2.2.1): 

1. Quick setup

The premium version is elementary and quick to set up. The current free version requires 10 minutes to set up, while with the premium version, a user needs only 1 minute.

2. No technical knowledge is required

The current free version depends on the Linux cron job; hence, users must have the technical expertise to set it up (even with cPanel or Plesk). Whereas the premium version will use WordPress’s inbuilt cron job. Hence, eliminating the need for having technical expertise.

3. Improved cPanel Settings

With the current free version, users have to enter the cPanel host manually. This requires a little technical expertise. We’ll improve this with the premium version, which will detect the cPanel host automatically. So, users don’t have to worry about knowing the cPanel host.

In addition to the benefits mentioned above, I would like to highlight the benefits of the premium version compared to the future free version (3.0.0), which will be available as soon as the premium version released: 

The current free version of the plugin contains the automation features, but the future free version will not have any such automation features. Users would be required to validate domains manually to get free SSL certificates, followed by the manual installation of the SSL on the website. Since the free SSL’s lifetime is 90 days, a user will be required to repeat these steps every 60 (or 60 to 89) days manually. Else, the browser will block access to the website. In the case of SSL expiry, if a user visits the website with advanced browser settings, the address bar would show the trigger warning of ‘Not secure.’ 

The premium version of “Auto-install free SSL” will perform all of the above steps with automation, i.e., it will automatically validate domains and issue free SSL certificates. In the case of cPanel shared hosting, it will install the SSL certificate automatically. This Premium version will renew the SSL certificate automatically. i.e., it will automatically repeat all these steps every 60 days. This plugin is the first of its kind that automatically installs free SSL certificates in cPanel shared hosting.

Those enjoying the free version do not have to worry as the premium version will continue to provide free SSL certificates with the current settings intact. When desired, you can upgrade to the premium version right from your WordPress dashboard. The priority support will be provided to the premium users. [As a part of this plan, I have left the UNICEF job on October 1, 2020.]